Past work history in hospital background check??

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 16, 2009

I have to wonder why it matters,..but many employers also include a credit check. Check your credit report, mine included a place of employment from almost 20yrs ago!

Atheos · Mar 16, 2009

Your work history isn't really available...

Work info may show up on your credit report but that information only shows up if you place that info on a credit app.

If you never used credit (just hypothetically) no work info would ever show up on your report.

Plain background checks include criminal history. If they perform credit checks there are extra forms you have to sign allowing them to do so.

Jo Dirt · Mar 16, 2009

The hospital where I just got a job gave me a paper and it said they don't do credit checks. I don't know why a hospital would do credit checks, anyway, unless the nurse was going to be handling money.

What a load of crap.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 16, 2009

In homecare we definately need to do credit checks....don't need staff "borrowing" money from patinets. Yes it's happened and several PA nurses have been disciplined/lost license over issue.

Atheos · Mar 16, 2009

Nods, credit is a good indicator of trustworthiness, responsibility and integrity.

Nurseismade RN · Mar 16, 2009

Nods, credit is a good indicator of trustworthiness, responsibility and integrity.

i was described as trustworthy and responsible in my last evaluation..........and guess what i have not so good credit which btw i am trying to rebuild.

PeteyPie · Mar 16, 2009

Nods, credit is a good indicator of trustworthiness, responsibility and integrity.

I disagree, credit a good indicator of financial planning and financial responsibility. Not the same thing. I bet Mother Theresa had a poor FICO score with her self employment and transient lifestyle.

But to the OP, if they are going to run a credit check, they are required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act to:

1. Get your written authorization.

2. The authorization must be on a separate sheet of paper.

So if you don't see that, they aren't going to run one.

Nurseismade RN · Mar 16, 2009

Nods, credit is a good indicator of trustworthiness, responsibility and integrity.

Bernie Madoff had perfect credit.........Mmmmm!!!!!

also please note that some people become unemployed and have bad times and fall behind in their bills.....does not make them a bad person.

Atheos · Mar 16, 2009

I'm not talking someone with a semi low FICO score.

I'm talkign about someone with bad credit.

Bad credit means A) You aren't paying your bills (whether something happened and you got behind or you just aren't paying doesn't really matter). When you get credit you are giving your word that you will follow the terms of repayment.

If you don't follow them you broke your word. Someone that breaks their word IS untrustworthy.

That would be why many jobs do perform credit checks. Heck, the first criteria to meet when getting a security clearance is good credit.

If you are willing to not pay your debts it's not a big leap to being willing to 'borrow' money to pay them back. Especially if the debts are large or you are in danger of losing your house or transportation.

Just saying how employers see it. Not pointing anyone out in particular.

Someone unwilling to keep their word is well untrustworthy.

I also didn't say credit was the end all be all of a person, just a good indicator. Same reason a cop will suspect you more of a robbery if you had a shoplifting charge as a child, even if it was 20-30 years ago.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 16, 2009

I would usually agree that credit history/credit report is an indicator of integrity. However, nowadays, so many people are out of work due to no fault of their own that I take a different stance and would want more details if someone came up with a bad credit report and I wouldn't be so quick to judge.

Ruthiegal · Mar 16, 2009

nods, credit is a good indicator of trustworthiness, responsibility and integrity.

i have to disagree, we all hit bad spots in our lives that may leave a mark on the credit report. i've been there, done that, and now am doing fine. i didn't lose my trustworthiness, responsibility nor integrity because i had some rough times in the past. i'm sorry you see it that way, but it just isn't something you can toss at anyone who does work hard, but hits tough times.