Older workers that are new grad nurses, please explain.

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hi,

I am not going to be popular with this thread, but here goes...I have seen quite a few posts about the older workers that are new grads thinking they deserve a job more because they had a previous career. Many times, these former careers are NOT healthcare related, so it does not help with their nursing career at all. My question to the older workers who are new grads is why do you feel like you deserve jobs over the younger new grads?

I feel like if anything, the older workers seem more entitled than younger workers. When you get a second career, you are starting at ground zero. So, let the opinions fly.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

OK...back to the thread...:whistling:

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Like I care, roser. So, if you had a former career, esp non healthcare, and think you bring something to nursing, let's hear it.

I have yet to really hear exactly what non healthcare careers (former ones) bring, just that they do...

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:sits and eats popcorn:

Funniest thread I've read all night. Honestly.. nobody here is changing the OP's mind.. she's set in her ways. But feel free to keep discussing because this is extremely amusing :roflmao:

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No one changed my mind because no one has told me exactly what they bring. What do the former career, non health care, tell possible employers when they ask that question in an interview?

Here's another way to phrase it--what skills are transferable? This maybe easier to answer if you are one of those non healthcare career changers...

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I was a 911 operator and that taught me how to handle high stress situations and prioritize calls. That's a non-health care field and it has transferred very nicely on my resume, most managers like to ask me questions as to the crazy stories I have.

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I'll give it a crack:

I am an older newer grad (graduated at 42 or so, been working for a year and a half now). Got a job right out of nursing school. Prior to nursing school I stayed home and raised kids for 10 years. I also have a BS in Psych and spent a few years as a SW for state govt.

So...healthcare experience? Nope. But I do believe my previous work experience definitely played a role in landing my nursing gigs. I was able to articulate organizational and problem solving skills. I had demonstrated leadership experience and the ability to work with a very diverse group of clients and peers. My SW position could be very stressful and "high drama" and I was able to explain how to successfully navigate those difficult situations.

I couldn't start an IV or E-Chart any better than any other younger new grad. However, I had developed skills that truly need to be "developed" through experience and just can't be taught. In my opinion nursing is part skill and part people-smarts. I was able to prove that I definitely had the "people smart" part down pat. Not saying that somebody in their 20's doesn't have it....just that I was able to demonstrate it through my past work history. I have an ADN and a BS. The job I EARNED was given to me over another new grad with a BSN. I think past experience does matter.

Did I feel "entitled" to a job over somebody younger? Absolutely, positively not.

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This thread was not meant to make people PO'd. People just get offended (that's how I knew I would rock the boat). I was just wanting to know what peoples' former careers (that are now student nurses or new grads) added to the mix that they felt they deserved the position over someone else.

I am glad a couple of people finally told me the what that they bring...

Dear God, I have a lot of respect for good social workers/case managers. I adore my HPMP CM.

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I am young before being a nurse my pt jobs included customer service things. I learned how to put on a show and good pr for customers. that is highly transferable to nursing.

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Specializes in LTC.

Wish me luck... Here's the cold truth: (I've mentioned several times I was an HR coordinator as a function of my former career). Always hire the 30 something before the 20 something. Why? They have more at stake. Period. A lot more to lose makes a better employee in most cases. I often hired career changes and 20 something's (they were both plentiful in my last career). I ALWAYS hired the 30+ club more often. I also shied away from the 40-50 crowd as they often didn't have the stamina for the job.

Truth be told, I think this is pretty across the board in most fields. 30 means car payment, mortgage, mouths to feed in most cases. Those people work! 20's are often very care free, and tough to keep. I also often had to train them how to have a job, not just do a job.

That being said, I'm lucky, one of my all time favorite players is also on the board at a local hospital (in addition to being their largest donor before that) and he guaranteed me glowing reference come grad time. He knows nothing of whether or not I will be a great nurse, just what a hard worker I am, and that's enough for him to put his golden stamp on me. Experience was a BIG DEAL to him.

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Specializes in LTC.

Also my former career taught me:

Time management

Being observant for even the smallest changes in behavior and demeanor (HUGE in casino employment)

Dealing with irate and or drunk persons in a kind professional way.

Being entertaining and gracious even when I don't feel like it.

Explaining complex things to someone who does not have the same knowledge level I have.

How to accurately fill out reports in an efficient manner.

How to HAVE a job (that's a biggie).

How to handle a ton of stress without anyone seeing me crack.

How to delegate or ask for help from those with more experience than me.

How to interview to get any job I want.

How to present myself in an authoritative way even when I don't feel authoritative (aka how to kick out or control a 275 lb 6'2" man when you are 5'3" at best)

Do I deserve a job over you? Maybe, maybe not.

Will I most likely get a job over you? When I graduate, probably. I have an extensive background in hiring folks. I'm a joy to interview. I'm memorable as all hell. I have never interviewed for a job I wasn't offered. NEVER. I have a level of experience in that area that is pretty darn rare.

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I don't know, Alison...somethings you mention are personality. In a way, you come across as somewhat smug and cocky. I think confidence is cool, but I don't know, smug is not. Just my opinion, anyway.

If it was a job traveling, I would give it to a 20 something year old, then, if that's what you view the difference between 20 something and 30 something. That description of a 30 something screams "I am tied down and cannot be flexible". Twenty something being free birds (which I am, but I love public health and there is traveling in it) can be helpful. The free bird thing though has to do with my personality. I am very much a free spirit and probably always will be.

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I

So, what skills do people in non healthcare fields bring to the table? I mean, what is transferable?

Also my former career taught me:

Time management

Being observant for even the smallest changes in behavior and demeanor (HUGE in casino employment)

Dealing with irate and or drunk persons in a kind professional way.

Being entertaining and gracious even when I don't feel like it.

Explaining complex things to someone who does not have the same knowledge level I have.

How to accurately fill out reports in an efficient manner.

How to HAVE a job (that's a biggie).

How to handle a ton of stress without anyone seeing me crack.

How to delegate or ask for help from those with more experience than me.

How to interview to get any job I want.

How to present myself in an authoritative way even when I don't feel authoritative (aka how to kick out or control a 275 lb 6'2" man when you are 5'3" at best)

Ability to prioritize. Communication skills. How to deal with people from a variety of backgrounds. How to get along with coworkers. How to accept criticism without claiming I'm being "bullied." How to deal with workplace politics. How to handle workplace stress. How to work with others. How to appreciate what others bring to the table (for example, from previous experiences.)

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