Could research publications make it difficult to find a job?

Published

Greetings allnurses! I recently graduated with my BSN. I maintained a 4.0 GPA, recieved nearly every academic award possible from my university, started a student organization that was very active in the community, worked on a large, grant-funded community project, published two research articles in professional journals and presented research at several conferences around the United States. I assumed that my accomplishments would better enable me to find employment; however, the opposite has been true. I applied for two internships and was denied for both. One was at the VA and the other was a local hospital. During my interview at the local hospital, the nurse in charge of the internship program was very skeptical about my research. She stated that she was in her Phd program and has yet to publish research, so how could I (as an undergrad) publish two research studies. As a new nurse, what types of qualities should I present during an interview? I thought research publication was an incredible accomplishment that would be praised by employers; however thus far in my job search, I feel it has hindered my success.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

I suspect those who interviewed you are intimidated of you because you have more education than they do. You may be coming off as too intellectual and they think you aren't really going to want to do "floor nursing" and/or they think you are after their jobs. Just some possibilities - who knows.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

It may not be about your achievements per se but rather how you come across when discussing them. It may be hard NOT to be esp proud to the point of sounding like you're bragging.

Some people may be envious and dislike hearing about your accomplishments.

Please, don't take anything I've said personally. Am just passing on some observations I've made about some nurses over many years. Nursing personalities run the gamut and over the years through necessity of a changing work ethic and environment, the field has acquired many who are seriously focused on their own upward mobility. And not everyone has the same opinion of your achievements as you and I.

You have some pretty impressive achievements to your credit so early in your career. That may be intimidating to others. I'd suggest being low-key about them if nec.

I am just suggesting this as a possible reason to your concerns.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your suggestions and comments. I really hope I do not come across as if I am bragging about my accomplishments during interviews; however, I am very passionate about the nature of the work I have done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Okay this is kinda different but not really… When I was in my mid-20’s I had worked my butt off with no help, no loans, no handouts. I was a college graduate (ADN), had a cool job (ICU RN), worked three 12’s so had lots of free-time, was a home-owner and had a new (paid-for) 4WD pickup. I thought I was quite a catch, but I couldn’t get a date to save my life. I think it’s human nature to see what other people have accomplished, and compare themselves. Eventually I found a rockin’ husb who realized it’s not about ego, it’s about a great partnership where everyone shares the same drive, ambition and goals.

As a new nurse, what types of qualities should I present during an interview?

I agree with the PPs, and also wonder if your resume screams “I’m planning on bigger and better things”, and by that I mean, someone may see you as a very expensive trainee who is going to bail in a year after you get some floor experience – as so many new nurses do. I think your resume speaks for itself (as far as quality of individual), and as a “new nurse”, hirers likely already know what your skill capabilities are and are not. Perhaps discuss your intended commitment to their establishment so they don’t think they’re just your first stepping stone? Just a thought. A prospective employer that turns you down is missing out, and it’s obviously their loss. Good luck to you, and congratulations on your hard-earned accomplishments!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Eek. Sounds like a case of jealousy sadly. As long as you are published in per reviewed publications with a sound research methodology it certainly should not hinder your application. Perhaps as a PP mentioned they are passing because they don't feel like you are a good fit based on the nature of you research? (Different specialty, etc?) It could be that your publications and your discussion of them are pigeonholing yourself if the experience is vastly different specialty. In which case try to highlight what you learned from the experience and how it can help you in this new position. Hard to say really. I wish you luck.

On another note. I'm a research junkie and would love to see your work. I'm currently in research and going back to get my BSN starting in fall

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just re-read your OP and realize I may have just assumed you were seeking a floor RN position. What types of internships were you applying for? What specifically did they turn you down for? I agree with the PP, is your research in a different specialty/area? (red flag for a potential short-term employee if different, shows where your true passions lie)

p.s. you just know that interviewer Googled your work as soon as you left! :laugh:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

A couple of things come to mind;

As another said, some people are intimidated about another's qualities and ambitions. I actually sent an email to a nursing director a week ago to start communication about my interest in an opening with her, and in hindsight I think I may have intimidated her. It's a stretch, but I'm somewhat over-qualified for the specific niche position, and previously in life I did her job (and more) so I'm pretty sure that's why I haven't heard back so someone in a PhD program could be threatened depending on the personality type. I recall really irritating a couple of instructors back in the RN, BSN program when they were so insistent that nursing school was the hardest thing a person can do. I denied the fact, and one of them ended up developing such a disdain for me she later tried to force me from the program before the department chair intervened.

Second, I find that nurses in the trench actually doing the job do not generally care about education. I recall when I first started nursing I received some blank stares as well when I revealed that I was Sigma Theta Tau and had presented research couple of times (not with STT). In fact, I joined that organization because it was touted as a resume enhancement. After a year, I realized it wasn't and didn't pay for additional membership. I also had a BSN, great GPA, a previous BS degree, and several credits towards an unrelated master's, and I went through paramedic school many years ago. It was more of a hobby than anything else since tuition was about $30/hr although I did later do some side work as a medic. I had a 4.0 in that as well, but no one in nursing cares.

You'll see many nurses squawking about the ADN v. BSN deal, and I can't wrap my mind around why lesser education is ok or better. I'm all for mandating a BSN, even adding "extra" classes, and creating a new, separate licensure exam specifically for BSN graduates.

I recall a LPN that I supervised in my first nursing position talking to another RN about her classwork as she was working on become a RN herself. They began talking about getting a BSN, and the LPN said, "I don't see the point of a BSN. They don't learn nothin' and don't get paid no more than an ADN." The RN quickly agreed with her and interjected that she would never waste her time and money on a BSN by taking more math and English classes. I think that makes my point.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You applied for two internships and got rejected from both? That's nothing! Look around here and you'll see your fellow new graduates are putting in fifty and sixty applications, and more, and not even getting interviews. Your resume probably did get you your interview--you didn't get that one, but it doesn't necessarily mean anything other than that there were probably a lot of candidates.

Now, to be honest, if I were interviewing you I would be skeptical about your research, too. Research is usually done as a group, with at least some members of the group having an advanced degree. People really do exaggerate (or outright lie) on job applications all the time, and my first thought would be that this applicant was overstating her/his role in the research or in the professional nature of the journals. I'm not saying I would be correct in doing so, but it would be my first impulse.

You've written a couple of paragraphs above about you GPA and awards and research, but where is your description of clinical skills you are learning, your interest in patients, your excitement about nursing at all? Those are things to emphasize in interviews, too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for the comments and advice. Several of you are asking about my research, so I thought I would offer a bit of information. The studies are published in peer-reviewed journals and I am the second author (my professors are first authors) on both pieces. The first study is a mixed methodology (quantitative and qualitative) pre-post test study design. My professor and I split the responsibilities 50/50 and it is published in an education journal. My second article is a quantitative, pre-post test study design and is published in a health science journal. In both studies, we worked with underserved, vulnerable populations and investigated alternative forms of education that would enhance their quality of life. Our method has been successful in reaching our desired outcomes and other disciplines at my university are now implementing this education in their courses and have also achieved desirable outcomes.

For me, this is what nursing is about and I am passionate about our cause. Educating patients in meaningful ways that will enable retention of the information is a very important part of a nurses job and my research has given me experience in this area. When you really think about it, the nursing process is much like the research process, in that you gather data (assessment), formulate a hypothesis (diagnosis), formulate an intervention that will enable you to reach desired outcomes (planning), implement this intervention with the chosen population (implementation) and evaluate your results (evaluation).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thank you for the comments and advice. Several of you are asking about my research, so I thought I would offer a bit of information. The studies are published in peer-reviewed journals and I am the second author (my professors are first authors) on both pieces. The first study is a mixed methodology (quantitative and qualitative) pre-post test study design. My professor and I split the responsibilities 50/50 and it is published in an education journal. My second article is a quantitative, pre-post test study design and is published in a health science journal. In both studies, we worked with underserved, vulnerable populations and investigated alternative forms of education that would enhance their quality of life. Our method has been successful in reaching our desired outcomes and other disciplines at my university are now implementing this education in their courses and have also achieved desirable outcomes.

For me, this is what nursing is about and I am passionate about our cause. Educating patients in meaningful ways that will enable retention of the information is a very important part of a nurses job and my research has given me experience in this area. When you really think about it, the nursing process is much like the research process, in that you gather data (assessment), formulate a hypothesis (diagnosis), formulate an intervention that will enable you to reach desired outcomes (planning), implement this intervention with the chosen population (implementation) and evaluate your results (evaluation).

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

Okay...well...your accomplishments are admirable and you should be proud...I would be careful because your passion can be perceived as arrogance or as a means to intimidate or demean others. It can be perceived as overbearing and being superior. This could translate that you would not make a good team player and co-worker. It can also mean you have no intention at staying in the position and you are looking for that one year and leave for bigger things.

Hospitals right now are tired of the one year and out new grads. Training and orienting new grads is labor intensive and expensive. Hospitals are tired of taking on this expense and getting no reward back from an employee that stays that is experienced and competent. While they want their nurses educated they want longevity in the employee as well.

What I would focus on for bedside nursing is your clinical competency and desire for learning. I would definitely have it on your resume and you should have the articles available for viewing IF ASKED for them; however, I would not make them the focus of your interview unless you are applying for a research position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you were a co-author with your professors, that is EXACTLY what you should say, always. I don't know how you presented it on your resume or in your interview, but I would consider it deliberately misleading if a new graduate said she had "published research" when she had co-authored with professors. While impressive and something to be proud of, it's not at all unheard of for professors to bring undergraduates in on such papers.

Being blunt for the sake of (hopefully) being helpful: I doubt I would hire you for a new grad acute care position if this is similar to how you're presenting yourself. I would wonder if you realize how much "scut" work there is in nursing and whether you would be able to handle the first six months or year, when most new grads have to focus on keeping up and getting everything done and learning immense amounts every shift, before they're able to think about nursing on a higher level. Remember your From Novice to Expert.

I absolutely wish you the best of luck and hope our advice is helping.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion