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Discussion

Advanced degrees intimidation?

Hi. I need some intake on my current situation. I have been a nurse for 8 1/2 years with 5 of those years as a RN. I have my BSN and I also have a Masters in Business Administration degree. I will be completing my MSN with an emphasis in Administration next year. I have not been able to "use" my MBA degree anywhere in nursing as yet. I apply for administrative or management jobs to only be shot down. I am going back to my first love in nursing after a 3 yr break. After applying for the staff nurse position I saw online that the assistant nurse managers positions for that unit were open. After inquiring on those positions I was told that they are concerned that I am applying for more positions because I may not know where I want to work. I am like "duh" its in the same dept and I have advanced degrees so should I not apply for management? And in the past I had applied for positions in other departments ie ER, and psych over the years. But I guess that nurses can't be versatile. Well anyway, I was told that the nurse manager would like to see how I work first. That would be ok except the fact that I have learned through other reliable sources of how the unit has gone down since that nurse manager has been there. I already knew that more than half the people I worked with years ago have left and they were there for many, many years. And also others that have been there for years also have applied for the position but have not received it. She had previously hired an agency nurse as her assistant but let her go because she was doing a better job than her (but it was said to be because of some past issue). Also the majority of the experienced nurses applying for those positions and denied were of the aa race including myself and the nurse manager is not. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place because I am not working FT right now. I previously left a job I could not bear to continue because of possible fraud issues with the company (not me but them).

And on another note, if you have not been working a unit for about 3 years what is the recommended orientation period to refamiliarize yourself with the procedures. I have not worked in a hospital for 3 years so that would include iv and all. I have the feeling she wants me to start back on the unit as soon as my start date arrives.

Any ideas on anything I said?

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It sounds like the unit manager is very insecure and doesn't want anyone who has a higher degree than hers. Do you know what her background is? I am sorry that you are having such problems. It is frustrating when you are told you are over qualified for one position and under qualified for another. If I were you, I'd go with the staff position and just outshine everyone, including the UM. That way, whens he/she messes up enough, maybe you'll be in line for her position. Best of luck to you.

In this facility, is the manager of the unit the only one who would be reviewing your application? In many facilities now, there is a 'group approach' ie behavior/scenario based interviews which include a panel from various units/departments. It may sound intimidating but it serves just this purpose-a quantified, objective interview from a group of colleagues rather than any one person bias.

I will add on a personal note that as a nurse manager currently (though no longer in hospital either-like you, have been away from actual bedside few years-managed care environment) I do not yet hold my Masters, though there are some experienced, veteran nurses that work on my team that do hold advanced degrees. I am not intimidated, I am thankful for their expertise and dedication every day.

And inspired to continue on in my own advanced studies as well-around the schedules and activities of my 3 kids that is!

So, hang in there, working on the floor may be a wonderful refresh for you, and you will earn the respect of the team, and perhaps that will lead into management position even if in a different dept.

I got my advance degree in hospital administration rather then nursing administration. And I was in a dual MS/MBA but dropped out of the MBA portion. I worked for NYSDH for two years and as an Assistant Administrator for a NYSDE medical center for two years. Then I moved to Florida and worked for ten years as a case manager for a private company and made excellent money, especially for Florida.

Woody:balloons:

Why not apply to a different unit or different hospital? This woman sounds like a loser who won't hire anybody more competent than she is. The race issue can be a factor; can this be proven as a cause of not being hired and brought to the attention of human resources or an outside agency?

Maybe you should try finding a career counselor in your area who works with health care professionals who can help you with your job search. I'm going to see one myself for the first time; I probably should have done this years ago. Good luck.

Thanks for your posts. I am currently an ADN in a MSN program. I am also working 40 hrs a week, married and trying to raise a 5 and 7 year old. I am just trying to stay on top of things and also trying to stay aware of what others are going through. Best of luck to everyone.

Thanks for your posts. I am currently an ADN in a MSN program. I am also working 40 hrs a week, married and trying to raise a 5 and 7 year old. I am just trying to stay on top of things and also trying to stay aware of what others are going through. Best of luck to everyone.

Wow ... my hat's off to you! How do you do it? Best of luck with school and the job search!

8+ years nursing BSN, MBA, now MSN with Admin. Sounds to me like you are shooting too low. My hospital has hired DONs with less credentials. If I was the nurse unit director I would be intimidated by you background. I would start be contacting some of the national head hunter agencies and see if an ADON or the like is more in line with your education.

Of course it takes more than just the right degrees and credentials for these positions. There are many "soft" skills that are essential for job success.

I agree that you probably shouldn't be applying for both staff RN and management positions at the same organization - they can't help but be confused about what your goals are. This does not necessarily mean that anyone is "intimidated" by your credentials.

A resume/application is like a sales pitch -- hone in on what exactly you think you can bring to the organization and sell yourself accordingly.

Good luck with your search. :)

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