Just graduated! For the past few years, as I did pre-requisites and entered nursing school, everyone has said nursing is a growing profession. "You'll have no trouble finding work!" Well, guess what?
It feels like facilities are drunk with power in this new economy. We are the SAME kinds of nurses they hired just a few years ago, yet it feels like we are being punished. Just to submit an application they want 2-3 letters of recommendation and/or the names of 3 references, your school transcripts, your resume and cover letter, your work history, and your social security number (no joke!).
I understand that these automated application systems ask us for all of this information because it used to be the facilities would interview a lot more candidates and a greater percentage would be hired. However, these days, that never happens. I feel that if they're going to ask for the information, it needs to be used. The current process is not respectful of applicants' time or privacy.
There needs to be a 2-step process that screens candidates based on their cover letter and resume and invites them for interviews. AFTER the interviews, THEN the top 3-5 candidates' references are requested, background checks are run, etc. That way, the candidates can decline to give the information if they don't want the position. But like I said, it's a new economy. Grrr. And it gets worse; if you decline to give them the detailed personal information you get automatically screened out by the computer!
Personally, I don't want to exhaust my references with a bunch of calls before I've even met anyone. I don't feel at all comfortable giving out so much information just to get an automated reply. But they have us (new grads) at a disadvantage and I feel they are pressing us for things they have no right asking for at an early stage.
I know it's frustrating trying to get hired as a new rn. It took me about 8 months. But honestly I think if you want to be considered you should fill out the info thoroughly. It shows that you are very serious about the job. And just realize that you will probably get a LOT of "we will be exploring other applicants" emails. My email trash bin is full of them. It is so worth it when you get a call from a manager though!
It feels like facilities are drunk with power in this new economy. We are the SAME kinds of nurses they hired just a few years ago, yet it feels like we are being punished. Just to submit an application they want 2-3 letters of recommendation and/or the names of 3 references, your school transcripts, your resume and cover letter, your work history, and your social security number (no joke!).
They don't call your references before you interview. I actually liked the option to provide letters with an application (we were told to ask teachers at the end of clinical to write a letter the school kept on file) because I thought it was one more way to look good on paper.
In my previous career, applications routinely included all that you mention EXCEPT the letters of recommendation. It's not really a new requirement, so I'm wondering what sort of job searches you've done in the past where this is unusual and intrusive to you.
Specializes in Critical Care. CVICU. Adult and Peds PACU..
Hmm... Would I consider the person who took the time to thoroughly complete their application, or the person who picks and chooses what they think is important? It's parallel to their work ethic.
Hmm... Would I consider the person who took the time to thoroughly complete their application, or the person who picks and chooses what they think is important? It's parallel to their work ethic.
Yes, critical thinking is definitely one of my strong points! I'm just as picky about the information I give out on my behalf as I am about the information I give out on a patient. Who needs it? Why? Is it appropriate? What will they do with it? What will happen if I don't give it?
My point is that these online "applications" aren't actually applications, they're just screening tools. Nobody runs background checks on 300 applicants - it would be cost-prohibitive. Nobody checks references until you're one of the top 3-5 candidates - it would be too time-intensive.
Here's how it should go: Open your position announcement. Accept resumes and cover letters. Take the first 50 (out of hundreds) that look good and screen them down to 10. Ask those 10 for transcripts and letters of recommendation. Invite your top 3-5 for interviews. Then ask your top 3 for background check information and permission to call their references. Then make your decision. Simple, effective, respectful.
Look, to everyone who is giving me these "Well, you must not understand about job-hunting" replies - yes, I do understand. I'm not saying I'm not giving out all of the information (and more). This post was a vent. If I ran the world (and I will someday! :rckn:) I would ensure my facility was an employer of choice by being respectful of my employees (and potential employees).
I think you're nitpicking on the term "application". All applications are screened--the hiring process is one big screening process that employers devote increasing resources to as the field gets smaller. Usually the background check ans reference check only happens once the employer is ready to offer the position to the applicant.
Usually the background check ans reference check only happens once the employer is ready to offer the position to the applicant.
Precisely. I can tell you are trying to make me feel better about giving out the information, and I do appreciate your taking the time to post. :redpinkhe:redpinkhe
But still... as a matter of principle, potential employers should not ask for information unless it's needed. Especially not the names of my references and my social security number. My privacy feels violated.
In this economy, employers tend to forget that interviews still work both ways. If I don't want the job then I want the opportunity to decline to provide my information.
But still... as a matter of principle, potential employers should not ask for information unless it's needed. Especially not the names of my references and my social security number. My privacy feels violated.
In this economy, employers tend to forget that interviews still work both ways. If I don't want the job then I want the opportunity to decline to provide my information.
:
Please feel free to let all of your prospective employers know about your principled stand. You wouldn't want to work there anyway because of the "lack of privacy".
It sounds like they are trying to screen out all those applications from people who go online and casually apply for every single job they can. It's probably a pain to have to weed through a bunch of resumes from people who have a highly inflated idea of what they have to offer but nothing tangible to back them up. Not to mention all the people who flat out lie.
So they want to know that applicants are dead serious about this and they are asking you to provide the goods to back your application up. I doubt they will follow up on that information before talking to you -- too time consuming. But they do want to know that you will be able to prove yourself if they bring you in to interview.
So do whatever it is you have to to get your foot in the door. And be prepared. Once you start working you will be dealing with even more insane and inexplicable demands. That's the way it goes.
Just graduated! For the past few years, as I did pre-requisites and entered nursing school, everyone has said nursing is a growing profession. "You'll have no trouble finding work!" Well, guess what?
It feels like facilities are drunk with power in this new economy. We are the SAME kinds of nurses they hired just a few years ago, yet it feels like we are being punished. Just to submit an application they want 2-3 letters of recommendation and/or the names of 3 references, your school transcripts, your resume and cover letter, your work history, and your social security number (no joke!).
I understand that these automated application systems ask us for all of this information because it used to be the facilities would interview a lot more candidates and a greater percentage would be hired. However, these days, that never happens. I feel that if they're going to ask for the information, it needs to be used. The current process is not respectful of applicants' time or privacy.
There needs to be a 2-step process that screens candidates based on their cover letter and resume and invites them for interviews. AFTER the interviews, THEN the top 3-5 candidates' references are requested, background checks are run, etc. That way, the candidates can decline to give the information if they don't want the position. But like I said, it's a new economy. Grrr. And it gets worse; if you decline to give them the detailed personal information you get automatically screened out by the computer!
Personally, I don't want to exhaust my references with a bunch of calls before I've even met anyone. I don't feel at all comfortable giving out so much information just to get an automated reply. But they have us (new grads) at a disadvantage and I feel they are pressing us for things they have no right asking for at an early stage.
None of this seems out of the ordinary.
However, if it helps you any, in the last 10 years of jobs, I THINK I may have had one of my references called once.
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
One of our hospital systems not only do you have to provide all the standard application stuff, you have to do a 100 question survey, every job you have ever worked and they warn you if you leave one out you will be terminated, you have to agree to a credit check and acknowledge about 4 other forms that is normally required upon hire. You agree to their ethics policy, back ground check and so on, sign a form for all kinds of screening, their physical fitness screening, their non smoking policy. Then at the very end you have to use your mouse to electronically sign your name and it looks like a kindergartners signature. Especially with my touch pad. Thank goodness for the copy option from the last application filled. Without that it's like a 45 minute process to apply for new job, especially with the 100 question survey they now have. Your application is thrown out if it's not completely filled out and it's a BS survey.
Each question is like "I work well with others" "I am a team player" "I have a good work ethic" "I communicate well with others" " I dislike people" then you tick Strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree or strongly disagree.
Really someone is wanting a job, do you think they are going to put "Strongly Disagree" Some of the questions come up a few times during the 100 I am sure to see if you mark the same one.
And it gets worse; if you decline to give them the detailed personal information you get automatically screened out by the computer! 
I'm just as picky about the information I give out on my behalf as I am about the information I give out on a patient. Who needs it? Why? Is it appropriate? What will they do with it? What will happen if I don't give it? 
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jones.rn
41 Posts
I know it's frustrating trying to get hired as a new rn. It took me about 8 months. But honestly I think if you want to be considered you should fill out the info thoroughly. It shows that you are very serious about the job. And just realize that you will probably get a LOT of "we will be exploring other applicants" emails. My email trash bin is full of them. It is so worth it when you get a call from a manager though!