How to field ?s about nursing background in a non-nursing job interview?

Nurses Job Hunt

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As we all know the job market in general is tough out there and it seems extra tough for nurses. In the meantime, I need a job to pay the bills and who knows, I may like my potential new job so much I might end up staying indefinitely even if the nursing job market starts to open up a bit more. I opted to stay in a health related field, so I often apply to medical assistant or medical receptionist jobs, and many times I get the reaction: "oh maybe you misread the listing, but we're not looking for a nurse" or "you're overeduacted/ dont have the right kind of education for this position"

Sometimes during the interview, i get asked: "are you working/have you worked as nurse?" or the toughest one "How do we know if a better employment opportunity more in your field arises, you will not just promptly leave?"

From the perspective of a potential employer, I can see why all of these are fair questions. That is always the most uncomfortable part of the interview for me when questions like that come up.

What should I say when asked about potentially leaving if a nursing opportunity comes along?

I don't want to seem like I'm deflecting the question but the best I've been able to come up with is to say that I am very success-oriented and that I would and do give 100% to any job I am offered, whether it was in my specific area of study or not. I then mention skills and qualities I've developed as a result of my healthcare background that ARE applicable to the position.

I'm thinking of omitting the nursing degree and license part from my resume when applying to nonnursing jobs--I'll still include that I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science though. Of course, if during the interview, I'm asked directly about my major, I'll say I studied nursing.

What are some of your opinions/ideas/experiences?

Has anyone successfully broken into another career path after getting their nursing degree/license and not being able to get a RN position?

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