Can I work for a hospital if owe them money?

[parafreddy]

I was just wondering.. I'm finishing Nursing school and I'm planning on applying for a job to the hospital I had surgery at. I still had a $800+ balance, but I know the bill was transferred to a bill collector (my head is screaming interest..guhh)... It's a long story involving having crappy insurance, and being broke via college (lol), I'm sure a lot can relate..

I guess my question is, could my chances of getting hired (despite the job market) at the hospital be diminished if the people in HR found out that I have a remaining balance and then some? There are two old threads with a similar question, but I just wanted to have some fresher and current insights..

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I would think it would depend on the facility's policy. You can always ask HR about their policy. Don't know how it is for prospective employees, but for current employees, my facility will work with them and set up a payroll deduction payment plan.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

some employers will conduct extensive background check and I think collection may come up....

I do not know if it would affect hiring, i guess it depends on what else there is.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Each employer is different of course. My employer is less than reasonable when it comes to getting their money. They couldn't care less if you are an employee or not. They want their money now or else it's off to collections with you (pretty crappy policy IMO which actually hurts our bottom line at the end of the day - that's another thread of course). Yet they will still hire people who have been dismissed/sent to collections. I would still apply and see.