I am not going to be popular with this thread, but here goes...I have seen quite a few posts about the older workers that are new grads thinking they deserve a job more because they had a previous career. Many times, these former careers are NOT healthcare related, so it does not help with their nursing career at all. My question to the older workers who are new grads is why do you feel like you deserve jobs over the younger new grads?
I feel like if anything, the older workers seem more entitled than younger workers. When you get a second career, you are starting at ground zero. So, let the opinions fly.
I think for the most part, the consensus is that the older person (with former career) would get the job. I think that disproves the notion of age discrimination.[/quote']
I beg to differ on that...my hope is the market ends up picking both sides of the coin, and they have longevity, if set up in the right fit. And I do think that is happening now...it just takes longer, and everyone is chomping at the bit to get a chance...job market sucks. *shrugs*
dotoriffic, I appreciate your response. I hope there will be some stories of how someone used skills in a former non healthcare career and didn't have to start from ground zero. I have not seen many yet at all.
The way I can see this happening is hiring a new nurse with previous management experience to manage something. It happens and is a disaster no matter what you managed before. I know someone who worked in research before (had a chem degree) became a nurse and found a job with some large teaching hospital in some "nurse" research position. those jobs are very competitive. are those the examples you want?
Ginger, I have dealt with family deaths as well and serious illness in immediate family--heart attack and cancer; have personal experience with "issues" both substance abuse and mental health as well as working in volunteer capacity with similar people. I do not have boyfriend/girlfriend issues...I do not know where anyone else has mentioned that. I am also working on developing a mental health chapter in my area and have been in jobs where I started as a peon with everyone else and was pulled to be an assistant due to organizational skills, being detail oriented and picking the job up quick. My current volunteer job, my supervisor doesn't want me to get a job because it would be a loss for them (her words, not mine; she told my dad this).
Ginger, I don't know if you were here for this, but I am in HPMP. They have to approve certain jobs before I can take them. So, you mention taking jobs less than optimal, I would assume a circumstance as that is working nights? I am not allowed to do that. It has nothing to do with being better or picky, it has to do with my contract. Some "less than optimal" jobs, I don't mind to take, others I cannot because of my restrictions.
I think your experiences will help you in the long run...I think people are alluding that you have been age discriminate-which you haven't, and want to deride you in "the nursing way" Motly in a good way...some, from a knee-jerk reaction.
The fact that you have moved up and have continued a pattern of such despite your challenges will open doors for you, whatever your path may lead.
wooh, I have a lot of transferable skills. From the volunteer work alone, I can communicate effectively with someone in crisis/De-escalate, I do community outreach--both community events and actual travel within community, I do support group (relevant more to psych), I call elderly people to check on them, I was asked if I was interested in being on a SART that they are putting together per a grant (same organization), I have a position on a forming Suicide Coalition (this is different than NAMI; I also do NAMI, but that's different); and I have a fairly good idea where to find info and referral resources for people who need them. Actually my Americorps stent was "volunteer", even though it paid a living allowance, and it dealt with nutrition and kids during the summer (I started on a bus and was pulled to be an assistant for the summer because I was very organized. I did reimbursement forms, site evaluations, filled in on the bus for people, data entry, made phone calls, etc) Both the place I volunteer now and the nutrition summer program were sponsored/contributed to through health depts.
So, for the community and public health aspect, I definitely have a lot of useable skills. The hospital jobs, my relevant exp comes from my PCT work and my psych/mental health experience brings a little something different.
I don't know. I actually got great response from the interviewers over this. I guess the NMs/interviewers on here are different. So I guess what is of value to one person is not of value to another.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
No one changed my mind because no one has told me exactly what they bring. What do the former career, non health care, tell possible employers when they ask that question in an interview?
Here's another way to phrase it--what skills are transferable? This maybe easier to answer if you are one of those non healthcare career changers...
Being observant for even the smallest changes in behavior and demeanor (HUGE in casino employment)
Dealing with irate and or drunk persons in a kind professional way.
Being entertaining and gracious even when I don't feel like it.
Explaining complex things to someone who does not have the same knowledge level I have.
How to accurately fill out reports in an efficient manner.
How to HAVE a job (that's a biggie).
How to handle a ton of stress without anyone seeing me crack.
How to delegate or ask for help from those with more experience than me.
How to interview to get any job I want.
How to present myself in an authoritative way even when I don't feel authoritative (aka how to kick out or control a 275 lb 6'2" man when you are 5'3" at best)
Do I deserve a job over you? Maybe, maybe not.
Will I most likely get a job over you? When I graduate, probably. I have an extensive background in hiring folks. I'm a joy to interview. I'm memorable as all hell. I have never interviewed for a job I wasn't offered. NEVER. I have a level of experience in that area that is pretty darn rare.
I love this post. I was reading through to be polite with the intention of posting the exact same response, only my work experience has primarily been in restaurant and property management. But the whole rest of this post is exactly me, as well.
Okay, no, I'm 5'2". lol I'm going to be 33 when I apply for my first RN position, and I do believe my prior experience, albeit non-nursing, will give me an edge. I've accomplished some amazing feats in my life, all of which under extreme pressure and requiring impeccable multitasking and time management skills. I'm an excellent hire. I won't begrudge the competition for getting skipped over, and I don't feel entitled. But in some ways, yes, I do believe I have a giant leg up on my classmates. And thank goodness for that because we're all going to be fighting for the same jobs and I want to get hired sooner than later.
meh, RNsRWe...some people actually do not want children in the near future and some even would rather remain childfree. I am in my mid twenties, slightly older than Jill in my example. Not in a relationship nor have children. Both by choice. Do I want children? Perhaps in a couple of years (or perhaps not)...quite frankly, I watch children and the longer around them, the more I swing in the direction of never having children. I don't hate kids, I just have had my fill. So, it may or may not be reasonable to assume that a 20 something would become pregnant.
I personally have worked weekends and every holiday before. Actually, it was the people who had the husband and children who wanted holidays off.
I'm pretty sure that shouldn't be brought up in an interview anyway.
My original question in the thread was people who are older feel like they have something more to offer with their previous non healthcare career than a younger person that nursing is their first career. What skills do they bring (because nursing is nursing)? It is a horse of different color and every new grad, old or young, starts at ground zero with no experience as a nurse. In all the replies, maybe 5-6 people told me what they brought. I am curious, I am not offering a job, I am just curious. If you don't like the thread, don't answer...
I bring the experience of knowing how to be an employee, how to understand a chain of command, knowing that the company and its bottom line comes first, how to supervise (that isn't something that can gained in a classroom), how to prioritize under fire, when to shut my mouth, when to be assertive, how to get along with catty co-workers, how to just clock out, how to care for myself in a way that puts me at my best every shift, how to balance my non-working life with my working life, how to be strong and see a problem through even at my weakest moments. I already have children and a husband, and therefore, I do need that stability that a long-term job commitment will give.
I don't know what you think nursing is, but there is no way possible a person can say "nursing is nursing", as though no life or previous non-nursing experience can apply. I want a job in peds. You know what makes me better than the 22 year old new grads competing with me for the same position? I know what it's like to stand there as a parent, powerless to make a child feel better. I know how it feels to make an unpopular choice for my child, knowing that LNG term, it will be better for them. I know how it feels to he dismissed as a parent, and vow in my professional practice to never, ever have my patients' families feel I dismissed them. I know how it feels to have complicated family dynamics playing a role in the health of my own child, and therefore, I can offer open minded and non-judgmental guidance that takes family members' feelings and beliefs into account. I know how hard it is, as a parent, to see a child miserable and sick. I know how to win a child's trust and talk to them in a way that makes them feel valued, as this is necessary if you've ever been classroom mom before. I know that I won't break a baby if I hold it, and I know nothing is more soothing during the first year of being mom than to have another person look you in the eye and ask.... How is this whole mom thing doing for you? Are you okay, and do you get the help you need? When they tell you in peds class that you're not treating just the patient, you're treating the family, I understand why.
Now, am I saying its not possible that a non-parent to understand that stuff? NO! And am I saying a person without my experiences won't be as good as me? NO, AGAIN! But you're not asking us why we are better than each other. You're asking what a non-nursing-experienced, older grad brings the table, it's just that: experience. And nursing can have just as much to do with that as it does the textbook and skills stuff.
Ok, here goes. I'm 45 years old and have a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a Master's degree in public administration. In my previous 20 year career as a police officer and detective, none of these were required so I value education. I recently graduated from nursing school and passed my boards while balancing my life: a 22 month old when I began school, husband, job, and my father going through cancer treatment twice in one year....oh, and my husband is out of state every other weekend because he visits with my stepsons. I have a plethora of life experiences, education, commitment and loyalty to my work organization, have worked with countless victims (children and adult) who've benn sexually, physically and emotionally abused, have been a part of a multi discipline team and have received extensive training in fatal car accident t reconstruction, DUI, interviewing techniques, evidence and completed a fellowship with the Yale Child Study Center. I also co-authored a journal article in CT Medicine, October '12, relating to police trauma. I take initiative to make things happen instead of expecting them. Simple fact of a longer life, filled with work, school and volunteering. I don't feel the least bit "entitled", I feel self-confident, experienced and valuable!
ixchel, I didn't randomly bring children/babies/pregnancy into it (that response is taken out of context). A previous poster mentioned that younger people are likely to get pregnant. Not me. I don't want them as of yet, probably never. It is not a given and I agree, unless it is offered, that info won't come up. However, I have offered to one interviewer that I don't have kids nor a significant other.
ixchel, I didn't randomly bring children/babies/pregnancy into it (that response is taken out of context). A previous poster mentioned that younger people are likely to get pregnant. Not me. I don't want them as of yet, probably never. It is not a given and I agree, unless it is offered, that info won't come up. However, I have offered to one interviewer that I don't have kids nor a significant other.
I agree, Renee. Those are great skills to use.
Love, please re-read my post. It seems you've missed my point completely. I was in no way judging your preference to not be a parent. In fact, what I said had nothing to do with you except that I was answering your question.
Motly in a good way...some, from a knee-jerk reaction. 
LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN
8,429 Posts