Has ANYONE been hired with priors?

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I am hunting for jobs now. And I read so much about getting your license (which seems to be more straighforward than getting hired). I have my license, (2 weeks ago), but now am terrified of the hunt. I have had a few GN interviews prior. But nothing. I just want to hear of what people who have been hired tell HR about their past. I am always honest, and I regret the 2 civil violations and 1 misdemeanor I have. But truely, I just look bad on paper. I am tryign to get someone to take a chance, and realize that I have since changed, but how do you prove that?

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Just reporting back. I just found a job! It's at a Rehab health facility, I start on monday. So I answered my own question. "Yes. You can get hired with priors".

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I am asking myself the same question. This is not a BON question as I have been licensed alrready in FL as of Aug. '09.

Here we are in the bad job market - glad I dont have to explain THAT here ;). I have had only three interviews and NO hire yet. I interview very well, have good references and irrelevant work experience (like many new grads entering the medical field). I'd say over all I am a "B" job candidate ("A" being the army medic I went to school with, "C" being someone with no references or who interviews poorly.)

PROBLEM IS: I am always wondering if a previous ARREST - not CONVICTION - for simple battery is holding me up. It is from 2006 and the only thing like this I have ever had in my life. No arrests, no convictions, nothing before this. Long story short, no violence or threats occurred and their were no witnesses, it was essentially a bogus arrest by someone who was harrassing me and decided to call the cops. It was Nolle Pros and I have the paperwork to show this disposition.

I did also have a Disorderly Conduct charge associated with a traffic citation in July of 2009. The traffic citation was dropped but I plead Nolo Contendere to the Disorderly conduct charge (related to obscenities - no violence, physical actions or threats, I was sitting in my car swearing at someone who was continuing to back into my car, after having seen me and flipping me off - the citation does reflect this).

I see the poster above has obtained work. I know that another candidate may be chosen ahead of me in this job market.

I would still like to know? ANY OTHER STORIES OF ACTUAL RN'S ESPECIALLY IN FLORIDA WHO HAVE SIMILAR ARREST RECORD - MISDEMEANOR SIMPLE BATTERY - OR WORSE AND STILL GOT HIRED????

Thanks and PLEASE, if you have no knowledge or personal experience, I respectfully ask that you please do not simply GUESS here ("I can't imagine...." or "Well, I dont understand why they wouldn't....." etc., it is a waste of time and space.) :yawn:

Thanks in advance for anyone with real life experience in this matter.

I do not expect offical legal advice. I am only looking for tales of real experience and track records of having been hired in these circumstances.

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Like I said, I have different things on my record than you do. But I have MORE things on my record as well. I just recently started at a rehab facility. I am leary, because its definately NOT my first choice of employment. I'd much rather a hospital. But I have interviewed at a few, and no bite. This place, I don't think is that great to be honest. THey have hired a bunch of new grads, and LPN's recently. They just changed ownership, so there are a lot of kinks to work out. And I hope it ends up becoming a better place, and following regulations, etc. Because right now, I'm feelign like I accepted an offer for just "any ole place". The typical resident/patient is a title19, and it is in an urban area of lower economic status.

I WILL say that I DO think you'll find something. I know it's hard, because you're still looking. But SOMEBODY will hire you. You will have to look harder than someone without anything on their record, no doubt. But you'll find something. I would look in nursing homes or rehab facilities. They seem to possibly be less strict about that type of thing, in my experience. I have interviewed at 4 hospitals, and never had a 2nd interview. But got this job right away.

It's not my first choice, but it pays $23 an hour, plus a 1500 sign on bonus, and I'm grateful to just have a job in my field. Even if it's not my ideal job. Hopefully, I can use it as a stepping stone, and after time passes, I can find something in a more acute environment.

Good luck to you. If I can help you in any way, let me know. I know it's hard to find support or people who understand. All of my friends were behind me, but they didn't really "know".

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THANKS. I am looking for ANY job that will hire me as an RN. I know that 1-2 years from now they will be scrambling for nurses and I will be on my way working on my BSN and the previous arrests/citations wont matter much.

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This just in: the company I just was hired at. I'm quitting asap. I MAY go back on monday, but we'll see. It's horrible. There are so many violations, and such substandard care it's ridiculous. Evidently the state is supposed to come in because it was recently sold to another company, and the state has to evaluate it 90 days after a buyout. So they are due, and nurses have said that they are going to have so many violations/fines/black marks, etc. I don't feel comfortable having a place like that on my resume, so I've felt it's better I quit. I'd rather serve tables, (which is what I was doing, I just put in my 2 weeks at the restaurant I work at) than work at a place that promotes substandard patient care.

I feel really bad for the patients/residents there.

SO many people have quit. The DON quit, the administrator quit, the nurse manager on my floor put in her notice, as well as another nurse I worked with. I mean "all the rats are leaving the ship", I think that means the place is on fire.

So I'm still looking for something better. And in the meantime, I'll be serving tables. And probably trying to volunteer in a medical environment, if possible.

I would much rather NOT be a nurse in any fashion, than to give bad patient care. In any capacity. So I feel more comforatble with this decision. Even if I'll make 1/2 of what I WOULD be making. Oh well. At least I have my integrity, and dignity.

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SO sorry to hear that -- I have heard similar from the few alumni in my class who were hired in a non-hospital environment: bad facilities, rule infractions etc.

A hospital is preferred and for 99.9% of new grad RNs in the US over tha last 50 years, a career path that was so easy to take they would work new RNs on the floor before they had passed their NCLEX.

Thos days are gone - at teast for the time being: they JUST NOW finally hired the last two people in my May '09 class WHO HAD $6K HOSPITAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

We can assume that things will go back to normal, but no one knows for sure.

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It's really stressfull. I find myself getting depressed already, because I have a history as well. So not only am I dealing with a bad economy, I am dealing with my own past as well. It's hard to stay positive. I was so hopeful that this job would have worked out. I am trying to network, because I do know some people in somewhat high places. But at the hospital I know people, they already have 16-18 new grads to place in house before they can hire an outsider. I LOVE that hospital, and had 2 clinical rotations there. I met with an HR lady recently, just to talk, and she was like "I really like you, and I am so sorry we don't have a position for you here! I wish I had an open spot that I could just place you already!" She was kind enough to try to contact others she has worked with at surrounding hospitals in her past to see if they have anything. I am in the process of waiting to hear from the others this week. So we'll see. But I am realistic. I don't look good on paper, but if hired, I know they would be happy with my performance. However, how do you convince them of this idea upfront? I dont' know what I can SAY that will get that across.

It's bleak. I think I may work this week at the other place I hate, just for the paycheck's purpose. And at least I know that the care I GIVE will NOT be substandard. I can't really speak for anyone else. I'll probably speak to someone mid to end of the week about my concerns, and put in my resignation. It's a shame, I'd love to say I could have been apart of it if it were on the UP-swing. But I really don't see that as being the case. It appears to be a steady decline. I don't want to be associated with such. I already have to deal with people passing judgement based on my past, I don't need my resume to speak for me in that regard as well.

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I live in WI, had two disorderly conducts and 1 resisting related to a custody battle and 15 year marriage/divorce. This was 10 years prior to applying for my WI RN license. Although employers are not supposed to discriminate they most definitely do...could not get hired by any area hospitals. Being honest, explaining the circumstances when asked and providing impeccable references from instructors and previous employers was still not enough. After graduation I ended up doing home health and private duty and have for the last 6 years.

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I've found it hard, as I have no experience. So I don't know how to get into home health. How did you do it Chicago? Did you have prior experience? I just had an excellent interview at a hosp in Milwaukee. I was recomended by HR to be interviewed, long story. And it went well. I shadowed today to see if I'd like it. But there has been no official offer yet. I am waiting to see how it goes. Nauseatingly hopeful. But we'll see. I'll definately send an update in two weeks when I'm expected to hear, after they've done my reference check/background, etc. Fingers crossed.

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I also had a great recommendation from my mentor from my internship who had over 25 years of experience at the same hospital, patients family members, recommendations from instructors, and even a recommendation from the head of a scholarship program I was awarded.

Unfortunately for me it did no good... neither did my 4.0 nor the fact I am a single mom with two kids, was going to school full time working three part time jobs and trying to keep it all together. No issues with the law for many many years. I was verbally hired by a large area hospital but shortly thereafter was told the position was closed and a hiring freeze was in place after revealing in the written appication which apparently was not reviewed prior to, about my misdemeanors. I wish you the best... if you get a chance at this hospital take it and run with it... it will be your stepping stone to better things. I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Good luck :nurse:

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GOOD LUCK

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