New Grad with no experience feels like being discriminated

heron, ASN, RN · Oct 9, 2010

They do NOT have the right to discriminate about experience if the add that they posted for the position does not specify "experience" as a pre-requisite. That is against the law to add your own pre-req without them being official job requirements. The hospital can be civilly sued for this practice. If they want experienced nurses then it must be stated in their job posting.

I think this is wrong ... I'd be interested in seeing the law that it's against.

I've seen job postings, especially on Craigslist, that don't even name the company that's advertising.

Besides, I think it's a moot point ... the problem for new grads is that they are competing with those who do have experience and many times this is the "tipping" point between one applicant and another.

elkpark · Oct 9, 2010

They do NOT have the right to discriminate about experience if the add that they posted for the position does not specify "experience" as a pre-requisite. That is against the law to add your own pre-req without them being official job requirements. The hospital can be civilly sued for this practice. If they want experienced nurses then it must be stated in their job posting.

Where on earth did you get that idea? The job is posted, people interested in the job apply, and the employer chooses the most desirable candidate from the pool of applicants. Whether or not the job posting states "experience required," there is no legal mandate or requirement that prevents an employer from choosing a candidate with more experience over a candidate with less experience. Outside of laws proscribing discrimination based on age, sex, race, etc., there's nothing to prevent an employer choosing the candidate the employer feels will best meet the facility/organization's needs. Any sensible person will have to agree that that will typically be the person with more experience.

heron, ASN, RN · Oct 9, 2010

So according to dictionary.com, discrimination is defined as "treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit".
I feel like that's a perfect word to describe this situation: new grads are grouped as unqualified, when experienced nurses hired may be incompetent experienced nurses. New grads may have had wonderful clinical experiences that set them apart from other applicants, but are not given the chance to shine. So, all individuals should be given consideration to show their potential, experiences, and work ethic.
I believe that many new grad nurses are assets to facilities. As a new grad myself, I am willing to learn, I am flexible and openminded. And because a good number of new grads enter the workforce with this open-mindedness and eagerness to grow, these hospitals/ facilities will not be disappointed...they'll be making good investments.
I admire all those nurse managers who are willing to see an individual's potential to determine whether to hire or not hire.

I honestly don't think new grads are considered "unqualified" ... just more of "a pig in a poke" than a nurse whose experience and competence can be checked. Not to mention the expense of additional orientation/training.

I agree that everyone deserves a chance to shine ... but no-one owes you that. Managers make their hiring decisions based on what is needed for their units and what is available by way of time and money to train new hires. For many, investing this in a new grad is too long term ... they need the return asap.

noctanol · Oct 9, 2010

i went to a job fair today and i was so enthusiastic to meet with the recruiters. upon my arrival, i noticed some applicants were waiting and some were called into another room as i continually filled up my application form. i excitedly handed in my resume and the recruiter immediately asked me if i have experience with the job that i'm applying for? i replied that i'm a new grad and just got my rn license and hope to get a job in their hospital. she stapled the paper and without even looking at my resume, she said "i'll just put your resume on file". most applicants who were turned down in the past knew that what she meant to say was a big "no, you are not qualified!". i felt so bad 'coz it looks like a form of discrimination!!! how come those applicants with experiences were called for an interview in another room, and we, new graduates with no experiences, were not even given a chance to be interviewed at all. the least they can do is glance at our resumes, but they didn't even bother to do that either. hospitals, nursing homes or any establishments that provides healthcare and employs nurses should stop this kind of discrimination that they are doing to new graduate nurses right now! we worked as hard as these other nurses who was ahead of us and already had experiences. but definitely, one time in their lives, they too were in the same shoes as we are right now...new grads and without experience! the recruiters or human resources people should give new grads a chance to prove themselves. i'm sure, if we'd be given the right training or orientation, we can be as good as the old timers. i am just too tired seeing and hearing that only nurses with experiences can apply. and i strongly believe that we are being discriminated and we don't deserve that!

this is a job fair, employers come there with the hopes of getting the cheapest labor i.e not having to train someone. mistake number 1 "do you have any experience" and you answer no. always answer yes, when they take you to the next room, elaborate to the interviewer that you did a clinical rotation in which you were there for x number of days and had to do this and the other, that makes you look more intelligent that just answering plain "no"

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2010

this is a job fair, employers come there with the hopes of getting the cheapest labor i.e not having to train someone. Mistake number 1 "do you have any experience" and you answer no. always answer yes, when they take you to the next room, elaborate to the interviewer that you did a clinical rotation in which you were there for x number of days and had to do this and the other, that makes you look more intelligent that just answering plain "no"

Sorry, no dice on this one.

Experience to virtually all good human resources personnel means WORK or in some cases, volunteer experience.

Clinical Rotations are NOT experience - virtually every single new grad has clinical rotations.....this is not considered "experience" . If I were interviewing, and someone pulled that stunt, it would probably work against them. I would have to wonder about their common sense.

Now, occasionally if you had a minipracticum specializing in that area, that may get you some very minor leverage. But most of those have the inside track if they were good.

mazy · Oct 10, 2010

The saying that "I can't get a job without experience and I can't get experience without a job" has been the mantra of the newly graduated since back in the dark ages when I graduated from college. Back then, it was the mantra of my parents when they were young and their parents before them and on and on, to the young caveman who complained that no one would let him hunt the T-rex until he first proved his worth by hunting down a velociraptor. Or something like that.

It is simply a fact of life. It's not discrimination, it is paying your dues. It is the way the world works, you earn your way through life, first through studies, then actions and experience. College is nothing more than a tool, and there are millions of people out there who have graduated from college who cannot for the life of them find jobs.

This has been going on forever, there is an entire genre of literature and movies devoted to the humor, sadness and pitfalls and travails of the newly graduated.

I have heard that law school graduates are scrambling over each other in a cutthroat competition for jobs at Starbucks. Imagine graduating from law school with hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans an extremely inflated sense of self worth and not being able to find a job.

Consider this experience you are going through to be the next step in your journey toward becoming the person and professional you want to be. How you handle this will shape your future, so best not to start out by complaining about "discrimination" and how unfair life is.

You are most definitely not being discriminated against, you are acutally being treated exactly the same as everyone else in your shoes!

Welcome to adulthood.

royhanosn · Oct 10, 2010

your a rookie, get used to it! take some temp jobs! until you build your confidence.

dont get too cocky! with the NA economy, us older nurses are bidding for the same jobs. You will get experience & a thick skin to take NO for an answer! The young nurses have had everything done for them, now its time for the real world. Mom & Dad (turn your cell off during the interview, its a sign of rudeness if your cell goes off during an interview) wont save you! Dress like you want the job.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2010

this is a job fair, employers come there with the hopes of getting the cheapest labor i.e not having to train someone. Mistake number 1 "do you have any experience" and you answer no. always answer yes, when they take you to the next room, elaborate to the interviewer that you did a clinical rotation in which you were there for x number of days and had to do this and the other, that makes you look more intelligent that just answering plain "no"

I can't think of a better way to shoot yourself squarely in the foot. For a new grad to say that they have nursing experience is just ludicrous. Clinicals are part of EDUCATION! What would you think if your surgeon told you, "Yeah I have experience. I did some stuff in med school. I can totally do your surgery."? To misrepresent your experience directly to an interviewers face is a sure way for them to remember you...and never get hired at that institution.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2010

The saying that "I can't get a job without experience and I can't get experience without a job" has been the mantra of the newly graduated since back in the dark ages when I graduated from college. Back then, it was the mantra of my parents when they were young and their parents before them and on and on, to the young caveman who complained that no one would let him hunt the T-rex until he first proved his worth by hunting down a velociraptor. Or something like that.
It is simply a fact of life. It's not discrimination, it is paying your dues. It is the way the world works, you earn your way through life, first through studies, then actions and experience. College is nothing more than a tool, and there are millions of people out there who have graduated from college who cannot for the life of them find jobs.
This has been going on forever, there is an entire genre of literature and movies devoted to the humor, sadness and pitfalls and travails of the newly graduated.
I have heard that law school graduates are scrambling over each other in a cutthroat competition for jobs at Starbucks. Imagine graduating from law school with hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans an extremely inflated sense of self worth and not being able to find a job.
Consider this experience you are going through to be the next step in your journey toward becoming the person and professional you want to be. How you handle this will shape your future, so best not to start out by complaining about "discrimination" and how unfair life is.
You are most definitely not being discriminated against, you are acutally being treated exactly the same as everyone else in your shoes!
Welcome to adulthood.

VERY well stated!

OttawaRPN · Oct 10, 2010

Mistake number 1 "do you have any experience" and you answer no. always answer yes, when they take you to the next room, elaborate to the interviewer that you did a clinical rotation in which you were there for x number of days and had to do this and the other, that makes you look more intelligent that just answering plain "no"

If I were the recruiter and you pulled this stunt on me, you would get a blatant "don't let the door hit you in the orifice on the way out" response. Sheesh! :nono:

AprilRNurse · Oct 10, 2010

They do NOT have the right to discriminate about experience if the add that they posted for the position does not specify "experience" as a pre-requisite. That is against the law to add your own pre-req without them being official job requirements. The hospital can be civilly sued for this practice. If they want experienced nurses then it must be stated in their job posting.

What on EARTH are you talking about? Experience might not be "required" but once they get a group of applicants it's their job to find the one most suited for the job. Experience is a VERY large part of that. What exactly SHOULD they base a new hire on if not qualifications?

AprilRNurse · Oct 10, 2010

So according to dictionary.com, discrimination is defined as "treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit".
I feel like that's a perfect word to describe this situation: new grads are grouped as unqualified, when experienced nurses hired may be incompetent experienced nurses. New grads may have had wonderful clinical experiences that set them apart from other applicants, but are not given the chance to shine. So, all individuals should be given consideration to show their potential, experiences, and work ethic.
I believe that many new grad nurses are assets to facilities. As a new grad myself, I am willing to learn, I am flexible and openminded. And because a good number of new grads enter the workforce with this open-mindedness and eagerness to grow, these hospitals/ facilities will not be disappointed...they'll be making good investments.
I admire all those nurse managers who are willing to see an individual's potential to determine whether to hire or not hire.

Unless she has proof that she lost a position for the sole purpose of being a new grad....to an incompetant nurse with experience there isn't discrimination. She said nurses with experience...you can't just throw in there incompetant.