Can filing bankruptcy harm your chances of Nursing school?

[cloggersmom]

Hello,

We were told that a background check would be done on us prior to starting clinicals. Would bankruptcy show up on this and would you be denied clinicals at hospitals?

[BellasMommyOBRN]

i don't think so. i think they are checking for a criminal record only. plenty of people have gotten in after filing bankruptcy.

[CBsMommy]

I would call and check with your school to make sure but my school (and I'm sure most) are only checking for criminal issues. There should be a list of disqualifying offenses and how old they need to be on either your school's website, your state's licensing website or even the background check company's website. Good luck but I think you'll be fine!

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I would think it's a safe bet that BK wouldn't effect it. To my knowledge they don't determine if you can be a nursing student based off your financial history unless you have done illegal stuff and it's on your record. Even than, they are usually looking at specific types of illegal stuff.

[elkpark]

I'm not aware of that being an issue in getting into and through nursing school, but be aware that more and more healthcare employers are doing financial background checks on potential employees, so there is a chance that a troubled financial past could be a problem in getting jobs. I know there are some older threads here on that subject.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Previous posters are correct. The background checks are actually mandated by Federal law for health care providers. Any Hospital or health care provider who participates in federal programs (medicare, medicaid) must check each and every person who works in the organization, and this includes students on clinical rotations. I believe that this is also a requirement for initial professional licensure.

The basic check covers any criminal convictions, makes sure that the ID is genuine (real SSN), not on the 'excluded' list (participation in healthcare, medicare/medicaid fraud) and immigration status. Later on, if you are applying for a job that entails any financial responsibilty, your background check may include credit history including previous bankruptcy - but you will be informed about this beforehand.

I guess there is such a thing as a pemanent record - just like our Jr Hi principle warned us.