Hello this is my first post and I need some advice. I recently applied to a
hospital in florida. Everything was going good during the hiring process. The hopital was starting me of at 22.70+1.50 diff from 3pm -7pm, I was suppose to be working a 12 hour 7p-7a shift. I already signed my commitment contract saying I will work at the hospital.
Everything was going good until the results of my background check came in. I was charged with a felony, illegal use of a credit card in 2001 before I started nursing school. Adjudication was witheld so I was never formerly charged and had I to do community service.
The guy in human resources was extremely rude to me today for no reason. He told me my contract was rescinded and I would not be hired due to my court case.
On my application it asked me if I was ever charged with a felony, I checked no because I was never formerly charged.
Hi there.... I don't have much advice... just a similar story... my BIL was applying for a police officer position here in our local town.. he was the #1 person they were wanting to hire... he was interviewed and asked if he had ever been in trouble with the law, which of course he answered no. He didn't get the job. Back when he was 18 he had a noise violation for having a party at his house. Now this was 15 years ago and he simply had forgotten about it. He didn't do anything else illegal ( the drinking age was 18 at the time), just the noise violation, but because he answered no, they didn't give him the job. If he would have answered yes, and explained himself, they said he would have had the job. It was clearly a misunderstanding, but a huge huge mistake on his part.
He went on to find another city close by that he was even more suited for and answered the question correct this time... he's been there going on 10 years now...
I guess if I were you, I'd check the yes box, and completely explain yourself. What you did wasn't too terrible and they should be understanding of that. We all make mistakes at one time or another... Good luck with your future job searches....
I know why this thread hit a nerve with me. I have 3 cousins who have spent time in prison. All were using cocaine or other drugs (non-violent offenses). They spent years in prison and have now been out of prison for at least 10 years each. They have a terrible time getting even the most basic menial jobs. They cannot vote. As convicted felons, they are not allowed to vote. It burns me that they were sent to prison because they battled addiction issues and now cannot get decent jobs or even vote.
Anyway, my heart tugs for you and I wish you well. You'll be ok. Many of us have done things like you did. It's just that you got caught.
Wow, TazziRN...and as health care professionals we are taught to view addiction as a disease (look at alcoholics, who are children of alcoholics, etc.). It is sad that they can only get low paying jobs and will have issues permenantly, sheesh. I have no idea what this "exspongment" thing is another poster mentioned, but would that be an option for them??
To OP...you've had good advice given to you...be up front, and I suggest you look at a way to have your record straightened out, and if that means hiring an attorney or searching for one that does work pro bono, you might want to do that.
Multicollinarity- What state does your cousins live in? There are a few states that continue to disinfranchise ex-felons for life, but there are also many who will reinstate their rights. Georgia, for one, automatically restores a felon's voting rights apon completion of the felony sentence, although I think that they require a written request to restore the right to own a gun (and only if the previous felony/s didn't involve firearms). Florida, on the other hand, revokes a felon's rights for life (this is being debated in the legislature right now).
I feel that it is unfair to disinfranchise someone (non-violent crimes only) for life. How can our states say, "you have no choice to chose, no choice to make a difference in how you want to be governed." If we disinfranchised everyone who broke a law (and got caught), how would this country operate? Look at some of our past presidents...they have broken laws, and yet they can hold the highest post in our country.
I just say, "Bless everyone who is able to recognize their mistakes, own up to them without making excuses or blaming others, and learn from them." These people are in a unique position, using real-life lessons, to help other people that may be heading down a nasty road. Who else could actually be qualified to stand in front of troubled adolescents heading to jail, and say, "Look. It can happen. It happened to me."
I also believe that people are inherently good and willing to forgive. I honestly think that if an ex-felon owns up to what he/she did wrong , is truly repentent and sorry for their crime, and is willing to change and just wants that one second chance, people (for the most part) are willing to give that chance.
I'm a bit uncomfortable with the OP being addressed like this. I'm not sure why, because I'm such a goody-two-shoes. I've never even had a speeding ticket, let alone any other sort of trouble with the legal system.
It just seems to me that sometimes we are too harsh with those who have had brushes with the law. How do we expect others to pick themselves up out of bad choices if we constantly kick them down? I know that using someone else's credit card is bad, it makes me wince. But still, all of us could be driven to do bad things that we would never imagine given extreme circumstances.
Anyway, I am sorry I am rambling. To the OP, hold your head high. I think you do need to disclose this to prospective employers. I'd just tell what the charge was matter of factly and explain that it was an abheration regarding your behavior, a mistake that you feel badly about, and you completed your community service. Then I'd launch quickly into your academic achievements, strengths, what you may offer the hospital, etc. Hold your head high. Yes, your charge is a blip on the radar that causes concern, but it doesn't need to define you regarding employment.
In all too many words I said:
-We all are prone to bad decisions as young adults (myself included). I was unsure if there was a chronic problem of "law breaking" or what.
-To beat them to the punch about the incident and let it be a shining moment. Kind of what Tim Allen did- he had a past drug problem, newspaper was going to rat him out, and he came forward with his past and explained his present. It not only smoothed over the past, it made him out to be a surviving hero. That was what I was trying to persuade the OP to do. Take something bad, use the momentum to turn it into something good.
-I didn't mean to be belittling, just matter-of-fact. The hospital had a valid concern. I wanted to throw out my idea, but didn't want to write something to say, because they should be his words, not mine. I didn't know I came across that way. If I did, I hope this post clarified my intentions. I didn't mean to "shame you to heck" type of thing.
I agree with one of the other posters- it could be that it was checked "no" when HR thinks it should've been checked "yes."
-We all are prone to bad decisions as young adults (myself included). I was unsure if there was a chronic problem of "law breaking" or what.
-To beat them to the punch about the incident and let it be a shining moment. Kind of what Tim Allen did- he had a past drug problem, newspaper was going to rat him out, and he came forward with his past and explained his present. It not only smoothed over the past, it made him out to be a surviving hero. That was what I was trying to persuade the OP to do. Take something bad, use the momentum to turn it into something good.
-I didn't mean to be belittling, just matter-of-fact. The hospital had a valid concern. I wanted to throw out my idea, but didn't want to write something to say, because they should be his words, not mine. I didn't know I came across that way. If I did, I hope this post clarified my intentions. I didn't mean to "shame you to heck" type of thing.
I agree with one of the other posters- it could be that it was checked "no" when HR thinks it should've been checked "yes."
Sorry for the confusion.
Yes, we can't communicate online like we would in person. I think it was the words referring to her "lifestyle" that set me off. Forget about it, it's ok.
Multicollinarity- What state does your cousins live in? There are a few states that continue to disinfranchise ex-felons for life, but there are also many who will reinstate their rights. Georgia, for one, automatically restores a felon's voting rights apon completion of the felony sentence, although I think that they require a written request to restore the right to own a gun (and only if the previous felony/s didn't involve firearms). Florida, on the other hand, revokes a felon's rights for life (this is being debated in the legislature right now).
I feel that it is unfair to disinfranchise someone (non-violent crimes only) for life. How can our states say, "you have no choice to chose, no choice to make a difference in how you want to be governed." If we disinfranchised everyone who broke a law (and got caught), how would this country operate? Look at some of our past presidents...they have broken laws, and yet they can hold the highest post in our country.
I just say, "Bless everyone who is able to recognize their mistakes, own up to them without making excuses or blaming others, and learn from them." These people are in a unique position, using real-life lessons, to help other people that may be heading down a nasty road. Who else could actually be qualified to stand in front of troubled adolescents heading to jail, and say, "Look. It can happen. It happened to me."
I also believe that people are inherently good and willing to forgive. I honestly think that if an ex-felon owns up to what he/she did wrong , is truly repentent and sorry for their crime, and is willing to change and just wants that one second chance, people (for the most part) are willing to give that chance.
One was imprisoned in Florida, the other two, I cannot remember which of the states they committed their crimes in. Somewhere in the south. I didn't mean to derail the thread talking about my cousins. It just hit a nerve and I blabbed.
I checked my background on the internet and I have not been charged with a felony. So I can check no on my application. But from now on I will check yes and start explaining.
There are tons of companies that do background checks. Just because it doesn't show up as a felony with one database doesn't mean it won't show up on another.
There's been a lot of threads about this lately. I wonder if something has changed with the background checks. Or, if these companies are somehow getting the records regardless of whether they are sealed, expunged, confidential juvenile records or whatever.
I know that the California BRN wants to know about everything ... regardless of whether the court case is adjudicated, expunged, etc. I guess employers want to know everything up front also.
The worst things seem to happen when people don't disclose it up front ahead of time.
Wow, TazziRN...and as health care professionals we are taught to view addiction as a disease (look at alcoholics, who are children of alcoholics, etc.). It is sad that they can only get low paying jobs and will have issues permenantly, sheesh. I have no idea what this "exspongment" thing is another poster mentioned, but would that be an option for them??
~J
Umm.........I wasn't the one who posted that.....but expungement is literally having a court file closed as if it never existed.
Dont know the laws in your state, but since the facility based their hiring decision and rescinded the job offer....you should have access to that background check. I would call and ask to meet with the Recruiter. Ask to see your background. In some states, you can get a copy of it. This way, you will know exactly what came back on your background.
Employers have been the subject of large jury verdicts for negligent hiring in cases where they hire a person with a criminal record that harms others, and it could have been avoided by a criminal record check. That is because employers have a legal duty to exercise due diligence in the hiring process, and that duty can be violated if an employer hires someone that they either knew or should have known in the exercise of reasonable care was dangerous or unfit for a job.
While it's probably unfair for a lot of people with relatively minor offenses, they may be trying to avoid large jury verdicts.
I am so sorry you are going through such a hard time. You were very young when you did this, and I am sure you learned alot.
I would suggest you find out for sure what your standing is about felony. As the other posters suggested, a lawyer would be a great help.
Was the question: were you ever charged with a felony? Clearly you would have to answer yes. If the question was : have you ever been convicted of a felony, it might be best for you to add an adendum to your application explaining what happened, and how you chose nursing as a way to give back to society.And always always be honest. I find it interesting you chose nursing. It is a service to the community.
I have never had any legal problems, but I sure have done things in my life I regret. I hope and pray you find strength and mercy, and that you have a wonderful new life ahead.
luvmy3kids
675 Posts
Hi there.... I don't have much advice... just a similar story... my BIL was applying for a police officer position here in our local town.. he was the #1 person they were wanting to hire... he was interviewed and asked if he had ever been in trouble with the law, which of course he answered no. He didn't get the job. Back when he was 18 he had a noise violation for having a party at his house. Now this was 15 years ago and he simply had forgotten about it. He didn't do anything else illegal ( the drinking age was 18 at the time), just the noise violation, but because he answered no, they didn't give him the job. If he would have answered yes, and explained himself, they said he would have had the job. It was clearly a misunderstanding, but a huge huge mistake on his part.
He went on to find another city close by that he was even more suited for and answered the question correct this time... he's been there going on 10 years now...
I guess if I were you, I'd check the yes box, and completely explain yourself. What you did wasn't too terrible and they should be understanding of that. We all make mistakes at one time or another... Good luck with your future job searches....