Non-nurse recruiters

[Newbie_1]

Can someone please explain to me how a recruiter who has never been a nurse, can determine the stress level of any nursing position? I had one recruiter tell me the stress of the ED is equal to that of the med surg floor. I'm new, but have worked both (Floated ED). They can both be stressful but different types of stress; chronic vs emergent. Many factors play, just think on ur feet and keep moving with either. I was annoyed by this. And changed topic, because I may have insulted her if the conversation continued. Don't tell me my job, and you've never been in my shoes. Thankfully I got the face to face interview, for what I'm hoping is a much better facility with opportunities for growth. Has anyone else experienced this with recruiters?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

The HR/recruiting/talent acquisition portion of obtaining a new job is only a minor piece. I don't think there is necessarily any significant benefit to dealing with a recruiter who is a nurse. Think about it: even if the recruiter has worked as a nurse, is it likely that s/he will have personally worked in every single specialty for which s/he is now responsible to fill jobs? Would you then still have the same complaint, that s/he doesn't know the job?

It is helpful to understand HR's function - they screen applicants to move on to the next step - interviewing with the actual unit/department where the job is, with a management representative who will make the hiring decision. They are to forward candidates who meet the basic qualifications in terms of experience and education, don't appear to have any glaring deficiencies that would prevent success in the job, and demonstrate some characteristics the organization is looking for. After they have screened for a pool (large or small) of applicants that meet those criteria, selection of the choice of the best candidate is up to the hiring manager.

In my experience, successful recruiters of nurses are those whose job focuses specifically on filling nursing positions, and who maintain knowledge of the quirks of different nursing specialties/units in their organization. Whether or not these HR folks are nurses themselves doesn't seem to make a difference.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I've been a nurse for 10 years and cannot ascertain the stress levels of most positions since I have not worked in most specialties.

I've never worked in med/surg or the ED, so my opinions on the stressors associated with those specialties is as blind as the recruiter's. Keep in mind that her job is talent acquisition, so she's not going to say anything that would deter people from accepting positions with the organization.

[Newbie_1]

I don't expect a recruiter to have worked every nursing job, that would be silly and impossible. But I do expect common courtesy, of not making assumptions about a job u know nothing about. I just found the recruiter to be disrespectful. And wondered if this happens often? Thankfully they are a small piece. Sadly they are also gate keepers to the next step. Oh well. I appreciate the responses.