Over qualified??

Nurses Job Hunt

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I have heard of nurses with limited experience finding it difficult to get hired, but I am on the other side of the fence. I have 16 years experience (the last 8 being military) I have earned multiple graduate degrees along the way in nursing, health admin and business administration. I also have certification in four specialties.

All that may look good on paper but I can't get an interview to save my life. I have been applying, following up with calls and being told all sorts of excuses. I am at a loss. The two inquiries I did receive were fishing around on what my goals were and if I actually wanted a leadership position. I explained that I just want a job to pay my rent and work towards my PhD. I cannot take on the additional responsibility that goes with a leadership role at this time.

A week later I get an email stating they selected someone whose qualifications better match the position.

One HR generlist I have spoken with suggested I edit my resume so that I don't, "scare off nurse managers". She stated (in her opinion) the managers were not comfortable with a staff member who was significantly more qualified than they were and that had a lot to do with why I was being passed over for nurses with less experience and education.

Who knew that there was a ceiling of education involved with remaining at the bedside or that nurses in middle management roles were so insecure. So not I am either going to edit my resume or be forced to work agency. this whole thing is Effed up!!!

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Specializes in L&D, OBED, NICU, Lactation.

All that may look good on paper but I can't get an interview to save my life. I have been applying, following up with calls and being told all sorts of excuses. I am at a loss. The two inquiries I did receive were fishing around on what my goals were and if I actually wanted a leadership position. I explained that I just want a job to pay my rent and work towards my PhD. I cannot take on the additional responsibility that goes with a leadership role at this time.

Here's where I get stuck. As someone who has interviewed and hired many people, this is one of those "truths" you just don't tell the hiring manager. I don't want someone who is just there for a paycheck, I want someone who is engaged. I honestly couldn't care less if you have more experience, degrees, certs, etc than me. Of course, I actively seek to be the dumbest person in the room so I can learn more. It might help you to appear more interested in being engaged and involved in the unit, rather than using it as a paycheck to further your education.

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Specializes in PICU.

i agree with nicuguy. I think your experience sounds stellar and I am sure you sound appealing to many managers, however, I think my answering too honestly about leadership role hurt you. Managers and employers want an employee who will be engaged, want to work to improve the hospital, unit, etc. Yes, many people who work do not participate in leadership activities or roles, but if you do not want to, it may even hurt your possibilities not only in your job but in your PhD program as well. You could use those leadership experiences for you degree.

Good luck with your Job Search. Don't leave off any experiences as something omitted could turn up in a background check and then you would have to answer to that as well. Keep up your searching.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

You just need to leave a bunch of that stuff off. Managers do not like to hire people more qualified for a few reasons:

1. feel threatened (you might want their job)

2. feel you will jump ship quickly as the job will be "beneath" you, too low of salary, etc........

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I can see where you are coming from, but when I was asked it felt as if she was probing as to what my real intentions were. I simply attempted to reassure her that I was more than happy to be a floor nurse and had no intentions of getting in the door and taking over the place. You know how sometimes in an interview you know it is a waste of time just a few minutes in with the tone and type of questions. It was much like that with her questions came little comments and a very disinterested tone as if she was checking off a list and in a rush to do something else.

The interview process works for both sides and even had she moved forward with an offer I am not sure my gut would have allowed me to consider working there.

However, since I made the original post my luck has changed and I am considering a couple of acceptable offers.

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Specializes in ICU.

I too am in the same position, I hold 3 advanced degrees and can't get a floor position. I currently work as an nursing educator, however I'm over it and want to return to bedside nursing. I've had several interviews, but they go with other candidates. I was told to "dummy down" my resume cause managers think I won't stay in the position. I need to return to bedside because I'm set to start clinical for my FNP.. At this point I'm even considering moving to another city. I like you just want to pay my bills, I never would've thought my degrees would be an obstacle. Yes, I've applied for managerial and other position, but then, I don't have the experience.. it's crazy

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In addition to the point nicuguy made about necessarily withholding some "truths" about why you want to apply for the position, I would say to work on your resume so that there isn't any extraneous information or "fluff". You want to make it as concise and straight to the point as possible. When you are in a situation where you have VERY extensive professional experience, you just want to make it so that you highlight your key selling points. Think about it from the employers' point of view and think about what they're looking for in a candidate. Either way, I'm glad to hear that your luck has changed for the better. Best of luck! :)

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