Can you get a job as a nurse if you marry a convicted felon or sex offender?
Asked by SmartySkirt
I have a friend who is in school to be a nurse and is engaged to a convicted felon/sex offender. She is wondering if she is able to become a nurse if she is married to him. Yes, I realize this sounds terrible. I realize it is not a good situation, please I do not need to hear it. I have done what I can to prevent this. There is nothing more.

Best Answer:
My husband has been a federal prisoner for 26 years. He was a biker back in the 70s and convicted on a cocaine charge that wouldn't get someone five years these days. It has not been an easy life for the family, but if he's ever released, we hope to have a quiet life. However, a sex offender is the lowest of the low in prison, and that offense will follow your friend's husband the rest of THEIR lives. She cannot separate herself from his reputation. If you are married to a felon or ex-convict of any kind, people do not forget. With his history, she will be despised and scorned. That is a sad fact, for you also as her friend, and it's the truth. Being legally married to a sex offender COULD impact her job. I know nurses with minor criminal records, married to felons, but it's that sex offender status that could ruin things for your friend. That's a whole new level of criminal, universally despised. What employer would trust her judgement, despite her own academic credentials? They would be rightfully concerned about him coming on the business property. And I hope she doesn't think she can keep it a secret these days. Sex offenders are listed in data bases now, with their photos, names and addresses, and some in our community are required to have signs posted in their front yards. They are harassed and despised and have had their homes burned down. Can your friend live with this? Would she want to raise children in this environment? I think her job will be the least of her worries. As a nurse, she must be a caring person, and perhaps she really thinks he will change for her. Statistics prove otherwise. It sounds like you have tried to counsel her, to no avail, and I am really sorry if she is your friend. Good luck to you, and please pray for her. She's going to need it.
Wife of 26+ year federal prisoner www.FreeRoadblock.us
Answered by His Old Lady

Of course you are still eligible for a job. Unless she herself is a felon she will not be denied a job there.
Answered by Jess

i'd tell her to find a new boyfriend/ fiance. i'm thinking there'll be marital problems that she'd rather not get into. i don't know why she couldn't be a nurse though.
Answered by musicgirl31

She is not the sex offender, so what is the problem? After all it is not "he" that is going to work as a nurse.
Answered by JP E

I don't think that getting married to a "criminal" makes you one too, I don't think your career is influenced by who you are married to, specially nursing.
Answered by Mrs Me

Ok I think you need to tell you friend to get divorced from her sex offender husband. I dont think at all his personal doings are going to affect her. The only things it will effect is her friendships and the way people look at her for the rest of her life. And I know one thing I would never allow my kids over their house or even would I be comfortable ever going there myself if her husband commited such a crime.
Answered by Glittergirl

Why in the world would anyone marry a convicted sex offender? "Gee, I wonder how that marriage is going to end!" I'm not mocking you, but really, don't be stupid. That marriage is going to crumble to pieces, most likely through tragedy. A good friend would get her out out of it completely, and I really mean that.
Answered by Leroy Johnson

Depends on where you work and how good of a background check they run. She might still be able to get a job, but might have a trouble finding one. She might have to tell them upfront about her husbands issues. Which will make it VERY hard to find a job. I know for a fact they wont hire her anywhere that children are present, so that might make it very hard to find a job. A lot of hospitals do extensive background checks, the husbands issues will come up on her background check. Also a lot of other issues will come up, like where they can live and they will also have issues in any neighborhood that they move. She might want to reconsider the marriage. She is seriously throwing away any hope of a normal life if she marries him. My mom is a nurse supervisor and she told me that there is no way that she would be hired to work at any major hospital. Which will seriously limit her opportunities.
Answered by Caitlin

i am a nurse and they only run the background/criminal check on the person wanting to be a nurse. anything though, including misdemeanors can prevent a person from being accepted. dui's are also a big no no, they will not grant a license or will revoke it if you get one while you are a nurse. just a heads up : ) good luck to your friend honey, i think more importantly you should be looking into why she is interested in that type of person. i believe love prevails and never to be judgmental of someone's past...however that's a pretty serious leap to take. just be supportive and kudos to your friend for wanting to be a nurse! we need her desperately
Answered by verykari

That would be very difficult for you and why in the world your friend want to be engage with a sex offender. They are dangerous human beings to be with. And yes people there are going to avoid your friend and tell people about your friend and the sex offender and make employment difficult. If you and your friend have kids I suggest you don't be with this sex offender. Your friend needs to see a psychologist to get their head examined.
Answered by earfulofb.s.

I'm not sure what her situation is, but from the sounds of it your not to thrilled about it. As for her job..I wouldn't think her spouse would have an effect on her getting the job. But it would definitely be something that she wouldn't want to get around the rumor mill at work.
Answered by noname22

If it's important to her then I would tell her it will be a problem-- maybe it will make her use her brain. And besides, a thorough background check on her would easily reveal his past so it could really be a problem.
Answered by Anne R

It really won't make much difference since marrying a sex offender, she will probably end up dead shortly anyways.
Answered by kate