Contingent job Offer based on criminal record- Nurse (Dallas: fingerprints, felony)

[newnurse13]

Hello,

I would be grateful for any information! I just graduated nursing school with my BSN and was offered a RN position with a big hospital in Dallas. My interview went really well and I felt like the managers liked me. The job offer I received is contingent on my background check & pre employ screening. I checked on my application that I had a misdemeanor. But I was not able to explain the details of what type of misdemeanor it was on the app bc it did not provide a box to do so.

I have a misdemeanor B for theft that occurred 9 years ago when I was 17 years old and I was able to get a deferred adjudication.

I'm scared the job offer will be taken back even though I was honest on the application about having a misdemeanor, since it is for theft.

Does anyone have any insight on this information? or know someone who was in a similar situation. Thank you all for your time.

[txgolfer130]

Should be okay, especially since you disclosed it. But it is Dallas...you never know.

[ChristieP]

Theft is a tough one. In order to get deferred adjudication, you had to plead no contest, which is essentially guilty. It depends on the facility where you are going to work, but at the nursing home where I used to work as HR Director, or at the hospital where I work now, you would not be hired with that on your record.

[MckinneyOwnr]

I also used to work in HR. As Christie said, theft is one of the worst ones you can have on your record (even if the amount in question is small, it makes no difference as to how it shows up on the background check.) I used to work for a financial firm, and anything having to do with theft or embezzlement was an automatic no.

I'd wait it out and see. Since they offered you the job already, contingent upon your record, at the very least, you'll know that is what stopped you from being hired. If that happens, I'd hire a lawyer and get that record expunged so it no longer shows up for future searches.

[txgolfer130]

Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr

I also used to work in HR. As Christie said, theft is one of the worst ones you can have on your record (even if the amount in question is small, it makes no difference as to how it shows up on the background check.) I used to work for a financial firm, and anything having to do with theft or embezzlement was an automatic no.

I'd wait it out and see. Since they offered you the job already, contingent upon your record, at the very least, you'll know that is what stopped you from being hired. If that happens, I'd hire a lawyer and get that record expunged so it no longer shows up for future searches.

great idea!

[hellpaso]

You have to have fingerprints/background check to receive your nursing license. Have you not yet received your initial license? Any position you are offered will most likely include a criminal background check, as well as a drug screen. That said, I've known quite a few nurses with records of misdemeanors from DUI to assault. A felony would most definitely affect your licensure, but any other requirements are just specific to that facility. Relax! Oh--I've been an RN since 1980 .

[mdsolutions]

If it was deferred adjudication you can honestly answer the question that you were never convicted because you were not! You will be fine most companies only go back 5 years on the background check anyway.

[newnurse13]

Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr

I also used to work in HR. As Christie said, theft is one of the worst ones you can have on your record (even if the amount in question is small, it makes no difference as to how it shows up on the background check.) I used to work for a financial firm, and anything having to do with theft or embezzlement was an automatic no.

I'd wait it out and see. Since they offered you the job already, contingent upon your record, at the very least, you'll know that is what stopped you from being hired. If that happens, I'd hire a lawyer and get that record expunged so it no longer shows up for future searches.

Thank you for the advice! But since its a misdemeanor B I can't have it expunged. I can only get a non disclosure which will still show up on my background check since its for a hospital.

[newnurse13]

Originally Posted by hellpaso

You have to have fingerprints/background check to receive your nursing license. Have you not yet received your initial license? Any position you are offered will most likely include a criminal background check, as well as a drug screen. That said, I've known quite a few nurses with records of misdemeanors from DUI to assault. A felony would most definitely affect your licensure, but any other requirements are just specific to that facility. Relax! Oh--I've been an RN since 1980 .

Thank you hellpaso. I've been approved to sit for NCLEX by the board and will be taking it the first week of June.

[SloopJohnZ]

Originally Posted by hellpaso

You have to have fingerprints/background check to receive your nursing license. Have you not yet received your initial license? Any position you are offered will most likely include a criminal background check, as well as a drug screen. That said, I've known quite a few nurses with records of misdemeanors from DUI to assault. A felony would most definitely affect your licensure, but any other requirements are just specific to that facility. Relax! Oh--I've been an RN since 1980 .

I agree with this. It seems to me like if they were aware you had a misdemeanor from the application and still gave you an interview and said they liked you, they should have already taken that into consideration. The background check might be just to see what it was and make sure there are not any other misdemeanors or felonies you did not disclose. The State Board of Nursing seems like it would have been the bigger hurdle as far as obtaining your license.

I've researched this before for an ex that had a DWI. There are a number of nurses licensed and working with misdemeanors (and even felonies). So while I'm sure if you were up for one job against another candidate with a spotless record, you'd probably be up a creek. It's not an automatic disqualifier, though.

http://www.bon.texas.gov/disciplinar...c-analysis.pdf