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.