License reinstated but no one will hire me

Nurses Criminal

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SORRY THIS IS LONG:( Eight years ago I lost my license due t a felony conviction of obtaining controlled substances. I made a terrible decision about how to deal with a life crisis during that time and was addicted to pain medications. In 2009 I finally got up the nerve to attempt to get my license reinstated. I didn't try before then because I felt ashamed and unworthy and didn't think I had a chance, but to my surprise and after a lot of hoop jumping and $2700.00, my license was reinstated. I was elated. I had never had an addiction before 8 years ago and never had a problem nor relapse after and went through rehab. I was also able to get my record expunged. The problem I am having now is that no one will hired me. Although I can legally check "no" on the convictions question, there is still an adverse disciplinary action on my license that spells out the whole incident and therefore I have to begin every interview with....."8 years ago...and explain what happened. The problem I now face is that although my record is expunged and my background check comes back clear, I am still being denied employment at every turn. I have been honest with everyone upfront and have even had 4 facilities offer me employment knowing my history, and then take back the offer due to someone on the corporate level saying no. I have sent out 74 resumes in a little over 30 days most with applications attached and a summary of my disciplinary action included and no one is responding. I've been applying and job hunting for 3 months. If I do get lucky and get to meet someone face to face, they will give me all this positive talk about how everyone makes mistakes and it's ok, and then I never hear from them again. The BON told me that hundreds of nurses have these types of things on their records and still can be employed. I feel like I have wasted my time, energy, hopes and a lot of money that I didn't have to spare for nothing. When I finally got my license back, I was so full of hope and optimism. I knew it would be hard having that mark on my record, but I never dreamed it would be like this. I have been comfort eating, depressed and reliving the shame that I've felt for so many years all over again and it is making me want to give up because I just don't know what to do. I have applied for CNA and caregiver positions just to get my foot back in the door and to build trust. I have applied for receptionists' positions in physicians offices and even offered to volunteer at our local hospital in order to establish trust and let them see my work ethic before they hire, but they have all just blown me off, or said we'll call you and I never hear from them. Does anyone have any suggestions or should I just hang it up?

Thanks in advance and sorry to be so down right now.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

First of all, even those of us with no issues are having an extremely hard time getting jobs right now. So some of this has nothing to do with your issues, but with the economy.

Secondly, I would not put any of this on my resume, but wait until I saw someone face-to-face.

Best wishes!

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Specializes in LTC.

Here's my question, since you haven't had a lisense for 8 years have you taken any refresher courses to keep your skills current? I could see not working as a nurse for 8 years being an issue.

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I have taken a refresher course plus 41 credit hours of continuing education. I don't put it on my resume alone. I only disclose it when there is an application involved because all of them ask about convictions. I realize jobs are hard to find. I was layed off from a job outside of nursing that I loved and had been working at for the last eight years. I am currently drawing unemployment, so I realize there is a job shortage. My concerns are coming from the jobs I have been offered and then taken back and the ones that know of my background upfront and then say sorry after they receive the report from the BON knowing it is going to be there because I've told them. So I do know that a lot of it is due to my history.

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I would post this question in the Nurses & Recovery section of allnurses. You should get alot of useful answers since alot of us have been through a similar situation.

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...The problem I am having now is that no one will hired me. Although I can legally check "no" on the convictions question, there is still an adverse disciplinary action on my license that spells out the whole incident and therefore I have to begin every interview with....."8 years ago...and explain what happened."

I'm not sure that you do have to tell them outright. Are there actual restrictions on where or when you can work and with what supervision, or just a history of disciplinary action? If there are restrictions and stipulations, you have to tell them. If there is history but no restrictions still in force, you needn't mention it.

As another poster mentioned, everyone is having trouble finding jobs right now so don't just assume it's your history that's causing problems. However, even if HR and management think you're an excellent candidate, the corporations that run health care these days are incredibly risk averse and oversensitive about little things. To them you're not a person but a set of numbers, and if your numbers indicate high risk (rightly or wrongly), they may instruct middle management to take a pass. Don't take it personally. Keep putting in applications. Your honesty will pay off in time.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Try Chronic Dialysis facilities there are limited drugs at these places of work and tend to be more willing to employ nurses with a history-they tend to be less judgemental

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Have you thought about applying for jobs in facilities that focus on substance abuse recovery? First hand experience may be beneficial...

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Specializes in geriatrics/long term care.

I agree with mama merlie. I would not necessarily include all of that information on my resume (if possible).And as Pennyaline said, think about whether or not you're required to tell future employers. Your resume is an advertisement. Toyota does not put out adds saying "here are all of our great features, but our brakes stick". You should answer questions honestly. But you don't have to submit it as one of the first things your employer learns about you initially. Keep your head up and good luck.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.
First of all, even those of us with no issues are having an extremely hard time getting jobs right now. So some of this has nothing to do with your issues, but with the economy.

Secondly, I would not put any of this on my resume, but wait until I saw someone face-to-face.

Best wishes!

mamamerlee makes a good point. Now isn't a good time for anyone job hunting and your personal situation must only make things worse. I have no lightening-bold inspirations for you that will help, but I do wish you the best and hope that things turn around for you soon.

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I would try to find employers that are known to be accepting, perhaps you can network at healthcare group meetings to find out which employers will hire. Start out with one of these employers to get working again, then other doors will open. Good luck and best wishes. Oh, and by the way, not all out of work nurses are drawing unemployment, so consider yourself lucky in that respect.

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Thank you and I will post it in that section :)

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