Nurse felon needing a job

catmom1, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2015

This may seem hopeless but I know of a nurse with multiple felonies (drug related) who was hired at a Catholic residential treatment center in my city. I recently heard she moved on to work as an esthetics nurse.

You just have to find the right place to give you a chance.

Good luck.

Catmom :paw:

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Feb 28, 2015

Try dialysis.

kandikissesrn · Mar 1, 2015

Try dialysis.

I have extensive experience in dialysis! I just cannot get anyone to give me a chance!

Twoyearnurse · Mar 1, 2015

Keep pushing forward. There have been several nurses here with criminal backgrounds who have found jobs. Painstakingly slow at times. In the meantime, also apply for jobs that require human services degree, non profit sectors are great. The pay isn't as good as nursing but it gets the bills paid and utilizes your degree without the license.

Do you have a nurses support group? AA? NA? These places can be great for making connections with other nurses who may be able to give you the skinny on good places to apply.

I would also suggest asking if you can volunteer at some places, it gets your foot in the door and let's them get to know you. I know it's frustrating!

LessValuableNinja · Mar 1, 2015

I can't comment from personal experience, but I can say that I was recently job searching and came across a job description for an addiction treatment center, and it said that if you were "recovering" that you had to be clean for two years. Sounds like you'd fit the bill for that, and I'd think that recovery centers would be much more understanding of that. I'd vote for looking in that direction. If you like it after that, stay. If not, you'll have recent work history and be off BON probation by then?

kandikissesrn · Mar 3, 2015

I go to Caduceus meetings every week and I'm trying to network thru there with other professionals. I am watching treatment facilities for openings, etc. thanks for all the input!

1sttime · Mar 3, 2015

When I was a manager I had an applicant disclose to me that she had a felony- I wish I had hired her to give her a chance- but she said she had meticulous attention to detail and had errors on her resume.

It is sometimes up to the individual manager- ask for a referral (The nurse I hired had a letter of recommendation from another manager in the hospital). We also had another nurse just show up with resume in hand and asked to speak to the director of our department- the director referred her to me as she was impressed with her determination...

Hiring someone is sometimes random, find a way to get your foot in the door (Even if it is to take a job in the hospital that isn't using your RN license- then you will be an internal hire). Staffing is cyclical- my current job is moving locations soon and we will have many open positions as nurses will be leaving, plus they are increasing our FTE allotment as they are shifting work from the clinics to us... Try to talk to nurses in your area and ask if there are any units with major shakeups or hiring needs.

Don't give up- do the best you can and someone will notice.

CryssieD · Mar 4, 2015

Sorry to hear about the problems you're having. I certainly wish you luck in your job search! I'm in a monitoring program for a DUI/adjudicated possession charge, and I had a rough time finding someone to take a chance on me. It doesn't help that your charges were practice-related, but I firmly believe you can overcome your past. Focus on what you've learned and how you've grown and changed as a result of your legal issues and everything since; I know I've really blossomed in recovery, and I will happily discuss that with anyone who'll listen. I think the key is being open, honest, positive, and stubborn--refuse to give up!

kandikissesrn · Mar 5, 2015

I just got word that my appeal to the OIG was denied so now I cannot work in a federally funded facility for 5 years. Wow! I am so discouraged!

allnurses Guide · Mar 7, 2015

I have found that Psych and rehab facilities are much more open minded about hiring nurse under supervision. Plus medications are usually handled by Psych Techs so no being able to pass meds is generally not a problem. You do need to put your humble hat on. I was volunteering at the psych hospital where I went through rehab as a peer addition counselor when the DON came to me and offered me a job. It morphed into a very rewarding career in Psychiatric and mental health nursing. It pays to be open minded.

Peace and Namaste

Hppy

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2015

I was thinking about your update the other day -- that is a really hard situation to be in if you want to keep nursing. Do you have any fancy private pay addictions rehabs in your area?