Travel Nursing Agencies & Background Checks (Frustrated)

[JuicyJ95, BSN, RN]

So, I have been considering traveling for awhile now. I have been a nurse for about 4 years, and I have 2 years of MICU/STICU (float) experience, and a year (gonna be closer to 2) of CVICU experience. Most of my experience comes from a Level I trauma center/University Hospital setting, and a Level II trauma center. I have my CCRN, CSC, CMC, and TNCC. I have always enjoyed what I do but it's time for me to hit the road, after all it was always my goal. Anyway, when I was about 17-21 I got a pretty decent string of criminal activity (this ranged from possession-battery-dc-etc.) Anywho, this is all 8-10+ years prior and I have outgrown all of it BY A LONG SHOT. The problem is, I keep running into travel agencies not wanting to work with me based on this history.... Which is disheartening to say the least. I have come a long way and truly dedicated myself to the field of nursing, and my love for critical care. I overcame the board of nursing in my home state telling me "we just do not see a way to license you", to working in university hospital settings, and becoming a well used resource among all the hospital systems I've worked for. I just want an opportunity to grow in my career, see a wider and more diverse patient population, and travel the country with my Harley and put some money aside for a house. I guess I'm starting to feel a TOUCH defeated (I know, first world problems with the things I have accomplished). I guess my question is does anybody know of any travel agencies that may look more at what I've accomplished over what I did in my past? Additionally, has anybody had a similar problem and how did they overcome it? Looking for all the advice here! Thank you in advance. 

[Tiffany Reed, BSN]

JuicyJ95 said:

I got a pretty decent string of criminal activity (this ranged from possession-battery-dc-etc.) Anywho, this is all 8-10+ years prior and I have outgrown all of it BY A LONG SHOT. 

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unfortunately no, travel agencies see this as a liability. did you have any action taken towards your nursing license because of these prior instances before you were a nurse?

try and get any and all convictions expunged. it will be treated as if they never happened. even felonies in most states can be sealed after 6 months for low level offenses. using your exemplary career as your life being turned around as the purpose for seeking expungement. this can vary state to state and it would be best to go through an attorney. 

[optimisticfuturenurse]

Hi,

This is completely off-topic, but what hoops did you have to go through to get your license? I have a pretty extensive record with a total of  6 items on there. I'm still doing my pre-req but next month they'll be running my background check. I'm scared to complete school and be told no. Any bit of information would be helpful! My most recent charge was in 2020 :( 

[JuicyJ95, BSN, RN]

optimisticfuturenurse said:

Hi,

This is completely off-topic, but what hoops did you have to go through to get your license? I have a pretty extensive record with a total of  6 items on there. I'm still doing my pre-req but next month they'll be running my background check. I'm scared to complete school and be told no. Any bit of information would be helpful! My most recent charge was in 2020 :( 

First off, good on you for getting your life together! For some of us, that didn't happen right away! Secondly, always be honest. I'm not sure what you have in your past, but as long as it's not abuse, recent drug charges, maintaining a drug trafficking place, etc. you can definitely overcome! The board may want to meet with you, or just require you to send them a detailed letter explaining your charges, and don't rush it. Spend some time making a good one, with full explanation of everything they ask for (I kept mine and used it for a few jobs even). Try to not accept a limited license right off  the bat, I did and it was expensive and makes it look like I did something against my license (like stole meds from the Pyxis), though it's easily explainable. While you're in nursing school make sure to get good relationships with your program director and the instructors, their letters of recommendation carry weight. I'm now working for yet ANOTHER university hospital, in the sickest units (ICU) and applying for my doctorate, and have been accepted by more travel agencies than I can count! Don't let it deter you, good luck! 

[optimisticfuturenurse]

JuicyJ95 said:

First off, good on you for getting your life together! For some of us, that didn't happen right away! Secondly, always be honest. I'm not sure what you have in your past, but as long as it's not abuse, recent drug charges, maintaining a drug trafficking place, etc. you can definitely overcome! The board may want to meet with you, or just require you to send them a detailed letter explaining your charges, and don't rush it. Spend some time making a good one, with full explanation of everything they ask for (I kept mine and used it for a few jobs even). Try to not accept a limited license right off  the bat, I did and it was expensive and makes it look like I did something against my license (like stole meds from the Pyxis), though it's easily explainable. While you're in nursing school make sure to get good relationships with your program director and the instructors, their letters of recommendation carry weight. I'm now working for yet ANOTHER university hospital, in the sickest units (ICU) and applying for my doctorate, and have been accepted by more travel agencies than I can count! Don't let it deter you, good luck! 

OMG thank you for getting back to me and thank you for being as encouraging as you were. That little bit of hopefulness touches the heart. Growing up I wasn't the best-behaved child, all through my teenage life I was angry at my parents and hanging around the wrong crowd. 2018 - 2021 I decided to move to Virginia from Florida (worst mistake of my life) but if it didn't happen I wouldn't be who I am today. I was in a toxic relationship and had nowhere to go. I ended up with a DV charge, during this time. I was drinking to the point of blacking out and ended up with a DUI. I did 3 months in jail. I decided enough was enough, I came back home to Florida. I enrolled myself to get my GED after being a high school dropout of 10 years, enrolled in college and surrounded myself with better people. My partner is a police detective; all of our friends are doctors, nurses, and officers. I currently work at a hospital as a patient representative. I had to explain my situation but was ultimately given a chance (THAT I'M GRATEFUL FOR!) and that time I was enrolled in the Police Citizens Academy at my local police station. I appreciate my job more than the average person and go above and beyond whenever I can I never want them to feel like they shouldn't have picked me. I don't want to let fear determine my choices in life but it's hard and I'm scared.