DON: Do you hire nurses with misdemeanors?

salvadordolly · Mar 31, 2013

I have hired nurses with misdemeanors. Our company policy states we only bar those crimes which are assaults or harm to others. When we run the background check, we still ask for an explanation. It looks better if you explain it up front, rather than waiting for us to run the background check and find it.

SuzieVN · Mar 31, 2013

Thanks. I want to explain it upfront, even before applying, so as not to waste anyone's time. I'm getting the 'sense', though- that it may be offputting to people for me to mention it right out of the gate. Some places say flat-out: clear background check required, so in fact they are also being clear from the get-go, that any conviction is a no-go. Some people have advised people with black marks to 'wait until you are asked'. I don't agree, like I said- why spend any effort, if in the end, it's a no-go? But it is interesting to read job ads, most don't mention backgrounds requirements, although some do require no black marks. Also, a hospital adminstrator in San Diego told me that 'easily, 50% of all nursing applicants here have a DUI or a drug conviction- the ones with drug convictions just aren't allowed to have narcotic access'. I think he may have been exaggerating a tad, to make a point?

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · May 23, 2013

My suspicion is that many DONs will not hire you if they learn of this crime. Just being real.

Good luck!

CapeCodMermaid, RN · May 23, 2013

People make mistakes. I've hired people with misdemeanors before as long as there was no harm. We do CORI checks on every employee. If something comes back, we give the prospective employee a chance to explain.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · May 24, 2013

I would probably want to know when this occurred...ie: if it occurred last month I might have a few more questions. If it occurred 5+ years ago and nothing since I wouldn't think anything about it.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · May 28, 2013

my sentiments are the same as Nascar, i know you have a good head on your shoulders from your prior post on other topics, and would hire you in a sec. :uhoh3:

noc4senuf · May 29, 2013

I also would hire someone with a "past" as long as it wasn't recent, and they have proven it no longer affects them. For example, have been able to hold a job since the occurence.

NurseGuyBri · Jul 31, 2013

As a DON, I definitely would hire someone with a misdemeanor. No qualms as long as it is mentioned up front. I have, in fact, hired a few. I, in fact, have a misdemeanor, although not a dui. Picking a good nurse to me is not who is going to do the most work in the shortest time, but be honest, safe, and accurate. Admit your faults, explain them.

twinsmom788 · Mar 30, 2014

Since you have a clear nursing license, then go ahead with applications. Most applications will ask you to declare offenses and it will most likely show up on your background check. Just be prepared to answer any questions about the occurrence in the interview. You may not be hired in all situations, but most employers will hire you and let your practice speak for itself.

HazelnutCream · Jun 3, 2014

Yep, I've hired nurses with misdemeanors, depending on what it is and how recently. We ask outright in the application, then if anything comes up in the background check that you didn't already tell us in the application, we can't proceed with the hire. Consider it to be lying on the application. Better to be honest and up front about it.

Nursemaple · Jun 4, 2014

I am not a DON but a nurse manager. I interview and hire. Prospective employees are cleared by HR before I interview. Someone with a serious offense would not reach me. If there is a misdemeanor, HR would send them to me and would not tell me about it. Of course, I interview the occasional person before HR but I still leave the background checking to HR.