Gender/Race info on applications - to answer or not to answer?

[R!XTER]

I noticed that almost all online applications ask about gender and race, with the option not to answer. I am a white female and I feel almost as though that puts me at a disadvantage since hospitals need to hire a diverse staff. On the other hand, does choosing not to disclose the info make me look kind of petty?

[rn/writer, RN]

Why would that make you look petty?

If you don't want to provide that information, don't answer those questions. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Pimpushka]

I don't think it makes you look petty at all! Those type of questions aren't (or at least shouldn't be) mandatory to answer since employer can't base their decision on hiring you on your ethnicity (and yes, in reality it sometimes plays a big role). If you honestly feel it would work to your disadvantage don't answer the question.

[Vikingkitten]

For Gender and Race, I always answer "Yes" and " Other"!

[Music in My Heart]

Until I became a nurse, I always decline to answer those questions. Now that I am a nurse, I answer the gender one (finally, I get to be a minority) and still pass on the race one.

Honestly, I think such things are absurd but I know where they come from: Government mandates to gather such information on a voluntary basis.

[DogWmn]

Yes I do answer because I'm proud of my Native American Heritage.

[R!XTER]

Yes I do answer because I'm proud of my Native American Heritage.

Pride in my heritage is not really the issue here. Being a Native American puts you at an advantage over me (being a White female) because you are part of a minority group, and hospitals are required to fill a quota of staff from minority groups.

[lucya]

I dont think it makes you look petty at all...

[DogWmn]

Pride in my heritage is not really the issue here. Being a Native American puts you at an advantage over me (being a White female) because you are part of a minority group, and hospitals are required to fill a quota of staff from minority groups.

No it doesn't give me an advantage, if it did I'd have a job right now:rolleyes:. Choosing not to answer the question doesn't make you look petty but your above response does.

[lsk40]

It does'nt matter they look for key words and they will find out anyway when you go in for an interview now as far as the disadvantage goes being white is not one what the government is looking for is if there is a bussiness in a community with mostly one race and the bussiness does not have anyone of that race working there it raises a red flag and they want to know why

[SharonH, RN]

It doesn't make you look petty but I wonder why you think it puts you at a disadvantage? Every hospital I ever worked at was packed with White females.......

If I were you I would focus more on my qualifications for the job, that will be the deciding factor.

[red2003xlt, LPN]

I've checked the male and white; never got a phone call.

But if I check the male and Native America (moms side), I do get the interview.