Nursing Application Photos: Discrimination or Not

[DREAMSDOCOMETRUE0610]

During my recent job hunt in the nursing field, I decided to contact a recruiter to help me with my application and "getting my name out there," so to speak. I worked with her for a few months trying to find jobs in clinics and doctor's offices across the Atlanta area, when after a few weeks she asked if I could send her a picture of myself to attach to my resume because the hiring agencies wanted to see what I looked like before an interview or further evaluation. My questions:

Is this a form of discrimination?

Is this about the company's image and the company wanting to make sure only attractive nurses are hired?

Is this a new way to judge nurses and keep nurses of certain appearances in certain areas of nursing (only clinics and offices were contacted by the recruiter and they were the only agencies to request a photo)?

What do you think?

[bnmekiki]

Hi I really doubt they can determine how professional you are just from a picture. Anyone can look their best for a picture. I believe it is a form of discrimanation. What's the point? A picture can not determine how qualified you are for the job a picture can not determine your interpersonal skills and how well you communicate with others. I think they're trying to get a head ups and be judgemental from a image point of view. It is my belief that a employer can not determine your qualifications just from a picture. Which goes on to say if you are pretty with beautiful long hair and nice teeth does that mean you really know what you are doing with patients or how to explain and teach disease processes etc.. That employer really needs to meet the applicant to judge and not use a picture.

[hecallsmeDuchess]

Wow! I'm not sure I've heard of turning in pictures with applications before nor am I sure I would do it if it were me. The thought of sending my picture to a stranger just makes me uneasy, real uneasy. What if they don't hire the person, does one get their picture back or not?

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

I've had resume-building classes (not just for nursing) and many did encourage applicants to attach a picture because you get a face to go with the resume. I've done a scholarship where my picture was required. I didn't think anything of this. If you are uncomfortable attaching a picture, then don't. It is not a big deal.

[Psychtrish39, BSN, RN]

I feel it is strange and I have many friends of different ages and occupations from construction to middle management at a aeronautics company and a picture was not part of the application process. I just texted three or four of them and asked .

I agree with prior posters it is not good business practice because it can look like you are going by personal appearance and not what the person offers. I think it would be a slippery slope . I want to be hired for my abilities and not looks The interview is the way to judge someone not a head shot. Some people do not photograph well. I being one. However when I go in for a interview I am well groomed and wear professional clothes. I would be in trouble I am over 42, overweight and I have not had Botox but I am a hard worker and a good nurse.

[sharpeimom]

i was only asked to provide a picture of myself for one application and mailed it without my picture. i was called for an interview. when i went, i took my passport. turns out they wanted to be sure the person in the picture was actually the person who interviewed for the job. my passport photo proved that i was who i claimed to be.

[sandyfeet]

I am surprised that this kind of thing still goes on in 2011. I guess the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words" really means "A picture can tell you my nursing skill, reliability and ethical/moral compass direction". Unbelievable!

[momology]

As my daughter put it unless it is a job as a model or a stripper then they have no valid reason to ask for your photo. Nursing is not an appearance related job. Nor does your appearance reflect your competence.

Anyone who thinks a good lawyer can take care of age discrimination is living in a fantasy world.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Is there an app for airbrushing?

[Psychtrish39, BSN, RN]

If so I would use it but that would be lying and you are not supposed to lie on job apps. LOL

[nightengalegoddess]

Will they let me send my Playboy spread? I'm sure I'll get the job then.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Sorry, I disagree with this entirely.

Nothing in my application for employment I saw as potential for discrimination. It didn't even ask me to list the year that I graduated from any institution or even how long I had been licensed until AFTER I was hired.

A picture is entirely different...that is why every employer doesn't ask for them so they can size you up before you even come in...b/c they know, it sets them up.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. And I reiterate that this is a generational thing. Thirty years ago, no one would have thought twice about attaching a picture to their resume or job application. As long as Congress and individual states continue to create more and more legislation protecting various classifications of Americans, the cries of discrimination will continue to rise. And I am not saying that discrimiation claims are not justified, just that the incidence has risen dramatically.

Bottom line: ask the thousands and thousands of newly NCLEX'ed RN's and LPN's (who have spent months and months sending out hundreds of resumes, hoping for a job - any job) if they would mind attaching a picture to their next resume. Just depends on how badly you want the job.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

We'll just have to agree to disagree. And I reiterate that this is a generational thing. Thirty years ago, no one would have thought twice about attaching a picture to their resume or job application. As long as Congress and individual states continue to create more and more legislation protecting various classifications of Americans, the cries of discrimination will continue to rise. And I am not saying that discrimiation claims are not justified, just that the incidence has risen dramatically.

Bottom line: ask the thousands and thousands of newly NCLEX'ed RN's and LPN's (who have spent months and months sending out hundreds of resumes, hoping for a job - any job) if they would mind attaching a picture to their next resume. Just depends on how badly you want the job.

I would have minded. I'd have still jumped through the application hoops, because I don't operate under any illusion that I'm bargaining from a position of equal power with employers, but agreeing to something out of desperation doesn't mean you're comfortable with the practice at all.