What Do Hospitals Check For in Background Checks?

[BostonKatie]

Hi all,

I was offered a tentative position in a hospital pending "passing my background check". What does it involve and how long does it take? Would I get a call from them when I passed? I got a call from HR today asking me to confirm whether it's okay to call my previous employer. I gave my consent.

I feel like I'm holding my breath before I can celebrate my new job.

[Holy Guiacamole, BSN]

Well, considering todays economy and competition for jobs it could mean alot of things. The days of applying for a job today and starting the job day after tomorrow are over. HR peeps have different ways of checking out your background. Of course there is the usual paper background check which checks you by sour SS # and address, then there is the more informal (and not so legal) way which is contacting HR people at places you worked) Most assume that if you are looking for a job in this economy, you must have done something to leave or be invited to leave. Hope this helps, either way, good luck and hope you get the job :-)

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Unquestionably, this could be a nail biting ordeal while you wait. However, one of the issues that we look at during our background checks on a possible hired nurse are, first of all, is your license in good standing, are they any complaints against you, does your information matches somewhat the information that is giving by your previous employer or supervisor, via phone or fax, the years of experience, the length of your last position, your quality of performance, your absentee record, your colleagues relationship, your professionalism, are you a leader? or a follower?(for placement) an overall relationship with your last employer, why did you leave your last employment, and lastly, would they rehired you? Therefore, this could take some time as you can see. Moreover, we are aware that most of us do stretch the truth a little, when it comes to our resume's, therefore, we need to be certain that you will integrate well in our facility. In conclusion, don't sweat the little things; if you have been pretty close to the truth you have no worries... Congratulations are to be in order

P.S. keep us up to date on the outcome.

[greenfiremajick]

Hey, Romano- I have seen a lot of people on here, worried about credit checks. What about that? Your post also made me think about references, etc. I thought that, in today's world it was illegal for the reference to give any info other than dates of hire/fire/resignation, etc and whether or not they would rehire you?

Thanks for sharing the info!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Most assume that if you are looking for a job in this economy, you must have done something to leave or be invited to leave.

That's a very unfortunate assumption, and I hope it's not accurate, overall.

[itsmejuli]

I'm waiting on a background check too, I have nothing to worry about so I'm not sweating it.

[bill4745, RN]

I thought that, in today's world it was illegal for the reference to give any info other than dates of hire/fire/resignation, etc and whether or not they would rehire you?

Contrary to popular belief, a former employer can give out almost any information they want. They usually don't because of the possibility that you might sue them if this prevents you from getting another job.

[BostonKatie]

So aside from the typical criminal and past employment, there's no hospital specialized type of check?

[BostonKatie]

I'm waiting on a background check too, I have nothing to worry about so I'm not sweating it.

How long have you been waiting on yours?

[ngates]

They will do a criminal background check for sure. I applied for a position knowing that I have a criminal back ground. However, they still did not deny me a position as a nurse. There are so many people that have experienced problems in their past I believe they don't look at it as much as they used too. Now, however if it is recent it could be a problem but some of mine are 14 and 17 years old and my Nurse Manager when I told her that I had felonies on my background responded with" I have several girls that work here who have been convicted of crimes, so she didn't seem bothered by it. So some employers will hire you with a background and some won't if that's what your worried about. :)

[rn4ever?]

While it may be illegal to give out other info other than dates of hire/fire/resignation, etc and whether or not they would rehire you. But, should your reference or former employer cross the line and divulge more-----let’s say because you don’t see eye to eye or maybe he/she just doesn’t like you, he/she told not-so-accurate and true things about you, how would you know that kind of info? Except of course if the new employer divulges that to you-----which I doubt he/she will. Maybe he/she will just come up with an excuse like there was a better candidate than you? Just wondering and thinking out loud.

Contrary to popular belief, a former employer can give out almost any information they want. They usually don't because of the possibility that you might sue them if this prevents you from getting another job.

[Holy Guiacamole, BSN]

While it may be illegal to give out other info other than dates of hire/fire/resignation, etc and whether or not they would rehire you. But, should your reference or former employer cross the line and divulge more-----let's say because you don't see eye to eye or maybe he/she just doesn't like you, he/she told not-so-accurate and true things about you, how would you know that kind of info? Except of course if the new employer divulges that to you-----which I doubt he/she will. Maybe he/she will just come up with an excuse like there was a better candidate than you? Just wondering and thinking out loud.

...yep, that's kinda how it goes