Is my bad credit keeping me from obtaining employment?

delawaremalenurse · Aug 1, 2012

could be....depends on the HR policy of the facility you're applying at

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Aug 2, 2012

I've never heard of a credit check being part of a hiring process. Why would a potential employer pay to have your credit checked?

RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 2, 2012

Credit checks ARE a part of the hiring process for any large company I have applied/worked for. So, yes, it could be affecting your job offers, or lack there of. You have to consent to a credit check though...that is personal information and you would have to "sign off" for it to be released to a 3rd party.

kcmylorn · Aug 2, 2012

I believe they also have to send you a letter stating that the credit history is or is not part of the hiring decision. I don't think nursing employers use credit histories as big part of a hiring decision- I believe it is only for employment where the person would be handling money such as a bank or a finance position. I think most nursing employers realize the economy is bad( they may not think they are contributors to it but that is a different post) and candidates are out of work and living on a fixed low income such as Unemployment. Disability is also a fixed income. Along with Social Security.

I have a current/active bankruptcy on mine and it has not stopped me from attaining employment. In my case, it is my age- over 50 and that reads as " the experience level". Example: I have been able to get per deim but not full time. I have been able to get temp/time limited positions but not permanant. Per deim positions in a hospital setting- BEWARE. They are no longer that "foot in the door" You are expected to put your entire life on hold for them indefinately. Stay as far away from per deim positions as you can. You will never be offered the next full time position, you will be expected to come in when 'they' call, and they will cancel you any shift you yourself schedules. You will come in for 4 hrs here and eight hours weeks latter. I found that out the hard way. This succession of time limiting temp positions is getting old for me, so much so that I do not want to be a part of nursing altogether- it's totally ridiculous, uncalled for and not worth my energy.

I think in the grand scheme of things- these financial "geniuses" who are hanging out in healthcare are not good enough to make a big splash in their own financial ponds- wall street and retail, so they get positions in healthcare - we got the rejects.

SoundRN7 · Aug 2, 2012

I've applied for many jobs where you have to consent to a credit check. Personally I think it's ridiculous and an invasion of privacy. Having a poor credit report history does not necessarily mean that the person is irresponsible. Several years ago my husband lost his job, along with his nice pay check. It took him over a year to land a new job, one that paid considerably less than the previous job. Our finances took a large hit and our prestine credit history was destroyed. This was not due to a lack of responsibility on our part.

RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 2, 2012

My husband is a heavy equipment mechanic and had to sign off on credit hecks for the past 3 companies he worked for. He never touches money :)

swilsonlpn · Aug 2, 2012

I've applied for many jobs where you have to consent to a credit check. Personally I think it's ridiculous and an invasion of privacy. Having a poor credit report history does not necessarily mean that the person is irresponsible. Several years ago my husband lost his job, along with his nice pay check. It took him over a year to land a new job, one that paid considerably less than the previous job. Our finances took a large hit and our prestine credit history was destroyed. This was not due to a lack of responsibility on our part.

I agree, the economy and situations like your husbands and my accident are out of our hands. I oppose this trend if it's based on whether I should be employed within a company based on my credit. Just frustrated right now, it's hard to improve your credit when you can't find work.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2012

Could also be the one year gap in employment on your resume....

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2012

this is an issue best addressed proactively, rather than reactively. when you go for interviews with hr and the nurse manager and they ask you if you have any questions, say, "in the past i was out of work for a year after an accident (if it wasn't work-related and you feel comfortable disclosing what it was, tell them- auto, fell off the garage roof, whatever). as a result my credit score was downgraded. my physician has cleared me for full work activities so i am ready and able to work. i would like to know if my credit rating would be a barrier to employment with xyz hospital."

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 5, 2012

It is possible that your credit record is a factor in you not landing a job. So can that year gap in your employment be a factor.

However, also keep in mind that it's also a horrible job market and even experienced nurses with flawless applications are not finding it easy to get jobs. So it could be any/all of the above.