Denied the job of an ER nurse?

[Zoe t]

Hello all! I am fairly new to this website, I have browsed the forums before, but just recently created this account.

When I was 14 I chose poor coping mechanisms with some issues I was dealing with. Due to this I have 1 small, visible scar on my thigh. With pants, you cannot tell. I am stable and have fully recovered from this.

I am currently in school, and would like to pursue the occupation of an ER nurse, however I was wondering if I can be denied a job as an ER nurse due to the scar(s). I am assuming I must pass a physical, where they will ask about the scars, and I don't feel OK lying about how they got there. So will this transfer over on my job resume? Can I be denied a job (specifically as an ER nurse) due to my self harm scar(s), even with all the ER nurse licenses and requirements?

I regret my decision to self harm years and years ago, and yes, there are consequences for my actions. But will this be one of them?

Apologies for the grammar, English is not my native language.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

If the physical for employment is similar to the physical for nursing school, they won't be checking your entire body for scars. Especially one as small as that.

[Zoe t]

Thank you, I appreciate the answer.

[blah_blah_blah]

When I had my pre employment physical, I kept all my clothes on, removed my shoes and socks, and pulled my pant legs up to my knees. My exam took less than 10 minutes, maybe even less than 5.They won't be looking for scars. Good luck!

[Fiona59]

I've never had a physical for any job.

[SnowShoeRN]

I know many nurses who have histories of cutting or other forms of self harm. I also know nurses who have been hospitalized for suicide attempts, or other mental illnesses. I think, in your case, the most important thing is to just be aware of your history and any underlying lurking personal issues that may crop up when dealing with patients. I'm not sure where you are right now re counseling history, depression/anxiety, whatever, but it pretty much goes without saying that having insight into your own past, behaviors, subconscious biases, and experiences will help you immeasurably as a nurse in dealing with situations that may be somewhat triggering for you. At least that's been my experience. Best of luck to you.

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

I am 99% sure it will not be an issue. If I do notice scars during a physical that look to be self harm I may address it and ask about them just to make sure issues have resolved that contributed to them. If they are healed well and the patient is otherwise stable I feel pretty confident that they are just a reminder of the past and not necessarily an indicator of their current health (physical or mental) status.

Also a pre-employment physical mostly just asks if you will be able to perform the job at hand. A scar will not affect your job performance.

Lastly I have never stripped down for a physical nor do I make my patients strip for a physical.

We all have skeletons in our closets. There are only a handful that will affect your nursing career.

[featherzRN, MSN]

I have assisted in preemployment physicals and have seen more cutting scars than I can count. You are required to get undressed for our physicals. In our case, we MIGHT ask about the scar if it's not obvious what it's from (like it could be a surgery you didn't mention), but we certainly don't ban you from employment. We get a lot of "I was young and stupid" and we say "ok, no prob".