Shocked by new grads at job fair - Page 3

While I know there are schools that aren't that great, I don't think schools are to blame for this. I feel that people should know how to act and dress for interviews well before graduating from college. This should be something taught by parents, not schools.

Several weeks ago I was in HR waiting for an interview, since I was taking time off from my shift (with permission) I was in scrubs (the best set I have and ironed btw). Another candidate was there for the same job interview and I was shocked as to what she was wearing, a micro mini, sleeveless low cut top, spike open toe heels and the biggest disk earings I've ever seen they were so big they touched her shoulders and the make up was troweled on.

Yep, I'm in school right now with students who are about 15 years younger that I am and I've seen it all. The worst is that they are completely throwing away their education, only doing the bare minimum to pass the test/class. I blame the "teach to the test" mentality that these kids grew up with. We've had some amazing professors with a wealth of knowledge and experience to pass on to us and still they sit in class on facebook or texting. I could be glad that this is my competition when I go out to look for work, but unfortunately, they give all new grads a bad name. I'm scared that they are going to behave this way during clinicals and I'm going to be embarrassed or we'll get a reputation as a bad group.

As a new RN I would never behave like this. Don't peg this on young people or new grads alone. I have seen many experienced nurses act just as ridiculously. I am sorry you had this experience but you can't judge us all as one big lumped in group!

I am no longer a new grad but I am a new nurse.. I work Ltc. I have never been to a new grad job fair let alone a nursing job fair, however I do remember my interview. I wore black slacks, a white blouse with a flower on it, a cardigan, flats, hair pulled hack, and short filed nails. All I brought in with me was the appropriate paperwork and a small clutch purse. I sat patiently and answered the questions honestly and listened to the don reminisce about her days on the floor. Two hours after the interview I got the job. I have tattoos, one on my wrist to be precise and I cover it every shift with a sweatband. I will not wear a pair of scrubs with a wrinkle on them. I wear foundation and some mascara and my hair is always pulled back. I swear I am the only one at work tha leaves the cell phone in the car. When I go out to run errands I wear sweats, my favorite jeans are covered in holes, and a short tight dress is fun for an outing, but work is work. The second I enter the facility professionalism takes over (minus some nursing humor) and that's that.

I certainly wish I had that sort of competition at the new grad fair I went to. About half the people there were people I graduated with and for the most part, they have their heads screwed on right.

Hmmm.... I know that is not the kind of impression I would want to make. It's hard enough to get a job as a new grad why would you want to give others such a bad impression of yourself? That doesn't make much sense to me. I know when the time comes for me to go job hunting a suit and lab coat will be the uniform. There has to be something that sets you apart from the crowd of the million other new grads out there. Shouldn't respect and professionalism be that something?

Unfortunately, I've also encountered RNs like the ones you described above.. in actual hospitals. I've encountered a few that looked MISERABLE and treat you like just another person in a room as opposed to an actual patient who needs care. These same few, are the same ones that won't crack a smile, don't even say hi to you upon entering the room.

Sounds like Florida to me! I have been a RN for almost 8 years and being treated the way I have been treated by almost all of my employees encouraged me to go back to school to get my ARNP! Im almost done with that and all that is left is to take my boards. Nursing is definitely not what it used to be! I think that is very sad!

Oh let them wear the poom-poom shorts and the flip-flops, please! That will make it easier for the professional ones to get interviewed and hired! Good way to break competition.

I agree with this comment. I just graduated a month and a half ago and I am nowhere that unprofessional (which probably is why I got a job on those merits). Not all new grads are like that.