Disrespectful ad against nurses on Craigslist

[Trilldayz,RN BSN]

Ok guys, So I was helping my friend look for NP jobs on various job websites. I decided to look on Craigslist for ads. I search my city (Houston) for their medical job ads. I see an ad calling for 50 bussers needed for a wedding event facility (The Bell Tower on 34th is the name of the event facility). So I think to myself "why would an advertisement for bussers be in the medical section?" and LO AND BEHOLD.... this is what the ad said:

A Perfect job for Nursing Students! If you think like a Nurse this job is a match.

Our Goal Is To Deliver Excellent Events No One Will Ever Forget!

We have many exciting and rewarding career opportunities for leaders who want to be a part of creating spectacular one of a kind events. If a commitment to excellence, uncompromising quality, and world class customer service is important to you, then come join our team!

Accepting Applications for

BUSSERS -- with possibilities for growth and advancement

^^^ Yep... you read that right. I had to reread the first sentence a couple of times.

FIRST OF ALL, why would ONLY nurses be targeted?? Why not just say a perfect job for students? SECONDLY, nurses actually save lives, our care matters (unlike what our CEOs might say lol). Why would our schooling and knowledge be seen as equal to the skill set of a job that requires no education?

Needless to say, I wrote them a nasty email. I wrote:

Hello, I was just reading your ad. I am a nurse and I was wondering how cleaning up event spaces equate to "thinking like a nurse". What do you mean, exactly? Nurses do more than cleaning up after people. We handle critical patients and actually save lives. We deal with life and death situations. So I really urge your company to stop demeaning an entire profession and calling on our students, in particular, to feel like a simple task such as bussing, is the same with the critical thinking skills needed to be a Nurse. I will no longer support your event facility and will be sure to alert every nurse (and nursing website) I come across about your ad, if it is not rectified.

Regretfully,

A LIFE SAVING RN

I urge you to not support this company and if you know anyone in the HOuston area, please tell them to not support this company, as they clearly have such a low view of us. Am I overreacting? Am I justified for feeling "some type of way" about it??

[lavenderskies, BSN]

If they were advertising for nurses to make extra $$ on the side maybe you'd be over reacting imo but I think they probably meant it as a round about compliment.

Like a previous poster said they've probably had great employees that were working their way through nursing school. Nursing students most likely enjoy people and admit it or not there is an aspect of service in nursing. It might not be the most important part but it does exist. Also nursing students are likely to be somewhat aware of sanitary issues and cross-contamination etc which is necessary in food service. Also nursing students are likely to be responsible, non smokers and non drug users.....or at least that's what the public would like to think since we are in healthcare.

Why choose to be so offended by a company that would like to support students going into our profession by employing them for an assumable temporary job?

[Trilldayz,RN BSN]

If they were advertising for nurses to make extra $$ on the side maybe you'd be over reacting imo but I think they probably meant it as a round about compliment.

Like a previous poster said they've probably had great employees that were working their way through nursing school. Nursing students most likely enjoy people and admit it or not there is an aspect of service in nursing. It might not be the most important part but it does exist. Also nursing students are likely to be somewhat aware of sanitary issues and cross-contamination etc which is necessary in food service. Also nursing students are likely to be responsible, non smokers and non drug users.....or at least that's what the public would like to think since we are in healthcare.

Why choose to be so offended by a company that would like to support students going into our profession by employing them for an assumable temporary job?

thanks for your opinion. Gave me some plausible points to consider.

[TU RN, DNP, CRNA]

Your disgust with the listing could be perceived as an insult to bussers. They help people too, like nurses, and serve an important part in our society.

[elkpark]

Overreacting.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm a nurse and I don't take offense at it. To me, it sounds like they want people who are good at multitasking, customer service (*sigh*, but it's true) and thinking well on their feet.

Plus it does offer an opportunity for nursing students--and nurses--to make some extra cash without committing to a long-term/permanent job.

[acim]

I actually get where you're coming from. If what you said was on, I don't know--say The View--there would be countless posts and petitions against said company lol. Nursing is so cliquish.

Anyway, let it go if you can. Some things are just not worth the aggravation.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

And this reminded me of something from a few years ago...we were having a day on our detox and recovery unit that was completely off the chain. Detoxers, patients discharging, patients admitting, needy patients, you name it. We were all running ragged but getting it done.

During this insanity, the psychiatrist working with us on the floor asked us if any of us have ever waited tables. It so happened that all three of us on staff were previously involved in food service in one way or another and told him so. He was very serious when he told us, "that's why you're all able to handle this." He said that he had a lot of respect for them because of how they can deal with multiple issues, and wouldn't hesitate to hire anyone who has been a waiter (waitress, etc.).

And yes, he had been one too.

Just something else to think about, OP.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

1. I don't find it offensive in any case.

2. I see they've placed other ads targeting different types of students- not just nurses. This job is also perfect for "education" students and "engineering" students.

[DowntheRiver]

Joy Behar is posting Craigslist ads now?

[elkpark]

2. I see they've placed other ads targeting different types of students- not just nurses. This job is also perfect for "education" students and "engineering" students.

I would guess that the employer has had good experiences with hiring professional students in the past, and is doing what they are able to do legally to attempt to attract them.

[Trilldayz,RN BSN]

I actually get where you're coming from. If what you said was on, I don't know--say The View--there would be countless posts and petitions against said company lol. Nursing is so cliquish.

Anyway, let it go if you can. Some things are just not worth the aggravation.

right??? LOL. The View is exactly what i was reminded of haha.

[flyersfan88]

But "thinking like a nurse"??? that rubbed me the wrong way.

I think you're reaching for something to be offended by.