I just finished my first year of nursing school, and after our finals on Monday we all went to a local restaurant for a little fundraiser. I was talking to my professors, and they asked what I would be doing this summer...I told them I wasn't sure yet, because I was not offered a nurse externship from our local hospital. I told them that I had applied to several other hospitals (all of which are 30-40 miles away...the nearest to us other than our local) but that I hadn't heard from any of them yet. They seemed shocked, because I am a 4.0 student, do well in clinicals, have great recommendations, etc.
My advisor then suggested that I not tell prospective employers that I have a masters degree (in English). She thinks that this may be scaring away potential employers. Another professor agreed with her, saying, "Yes, they are probably intimidated." I should say, I live in a town that is not very urban/cosmopolitan/progressive. I am currently attending an ADN program at a community college. I have lived in large cities, and my masters degree is from an ivy league school. I've always assumed that my previous degree has given me a good foundation in communication skills, and it has certainly helped me to cope with the rigors of studying and time management that nursing school requires.
I really don't think that I should hide my education...on the other hand, if it is getting in the way of opportunities, should I consider leaving it off my resume? My gut is saying that an employer who would consider this NOT to be an asset is an employer I wouldn't want to work for...
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any opinions, advice?
Could it be a timing issue? When did you start applying? Recently a student myself, I applied for my nursing externship MONTHS in advance and the positions seemed to be more "first come, first served" and positioned filled up fast.
I don't know why there would be an issue over paying an RN with an English Masters more than any other new RN.
That said, I have learned to downplay my degree, university and scientific/nerdy interests over the years. In some settings they have seemed to set me apart in a way I didn't want, even from people I liked and admired.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
Yes, I have to agree with the posts advising to omit the Masters Degree Only because of where you live...I, too started nursing in a small, rural area and know exactly the people that you are encountering...its could be the high salary that they think you would expect, or it could be they are intimidated by your education....
either way, I would take the instructors suggestion.....
Timing probably wasn't an issue--I was among the first to get my application in--this interview was back in February for a position that starts in June.
As far as being overqualified, well, I'm a nursing student applying for a nursing student extern position. The pay is a set rate.
I guess I'm still somehwat disappointed, and I'm trying to understand if there is any validity to the advice offered by my professor. I think I'll go with the "downplay my degree" tactic.
It's just hard to feel like an outsider and to feel like who you know is more important than what you know/may be able to accomplish!
Specializes in Adult & Peds psych, PICU, nsg mgmt.
I got a BA in English from a private college and then went through an ADN program. Some nurses with less formal education than I have seem bothered in one way or another but I guess if other people want to be intimitated and/or feel insecure, that's up to them. I wouldn't hide t because if somebody won't hire you as you are, do you really want to work for them?
And besides, I'm proud to say that I write awesome nurse's notes and have the communication skills to mellow even the crankiest docs.
interesting thread. hmm.. I have to agree with the the logic of your professors, but still, I wouldnt hide it. Like so many people have said, the truth comes out, and you really dont want to be worried about having a secret identity while u'r first out in the workforce. Who needs that extra stress? You will get work, and your degree will help- ur just lucky enough to be a minority. try to think of yourself as special, and remember what an asset you will be once you are employed and the rejection might not hurt so much. Ive had problems like this for years now, for various reasons. Ive learnt a lot about myself, and about other people through the positions they have put me in and the lables i've been stuck with. And now, with the only way to become a registered nurse in Australia being through university, I am dealing with it again everyday because my education apparently doesnt suffice and therefore I'll always be hopeless! There is no convincing some people!!! Most people want to stick with what is familier to them, and no one likes feeling that their job is threatened, or that they arn't good enough in comparison. People are insecure and defensive. We all are. But some poeple do try and succeed brilliantly at being better than that- and they are the poeple we dont let go of. Annnnyway, im rambling, soory.
My advice to you.. listen to the cliches! Stay true to yourself- you need to be able to be yourself and still feel appreciated at work. Be as honest as you can and what you can offer will come shining through. If they doubt you, prove yourself to them. Be creative in applying for work- harrass all the local hospitals until they dream about you! make yourself known and wait. in the meantime, if you can afford it (and you are blessed if you can) find some related volunteer work in the field. U'll get to start networking, get more hands on experience and then ur resume will reinforce that you are actually a caring people person and not just some heartless academic.
omg. Sorry about the rant. guess it is still a soft spot for me too.
Ok - as a rural resident I am a bit perturbed by the characterization of rural folk. Almost all farmers and loggers here locally have at least Bachelor's Degrees and more. My good friend has a Master's. My background is Social Work and I did the ADN route for my RN and I'm going on to get my BSN right now. The teachers in our local schools have at least Bachelor's. Many of the nurses have their BSN. The docs have their degrees. The pharmacist, the dietician, the CEO, the DON . . .all are educated people.
There are 600 people in my little town - about 3000 in the entire valley. I don't think anyone looks down on education, even those who just graduated from high school and went straight to work. In fact we have a very large education foundation.
I'd say just be honest - don't brag but tell the truth. Give people some credit.
And good luck with your job search and school!
steph (city girl/country girl)
p.s. we are starving for nurses - you'd get a job in a New York minute.
My sister had a similar problem. She had a bachelors degree in education and couldn't find a job in teaching. She applied for a state job as a secretary and was told she was overqualified.
I say leave it off until after your first position and you have some actual nursing on the resume.
For two reasons:
1) We can talk all we want about how education is universally valued but as anyone who has transitioned into nursing from another career can probably attest, it just ain't always so. Odd for certain, but most definately true. The reasons why are unimportant to this topic.
They are looking for an entry level nurse. Frankly, I think at this level, it's best to be the 'yes, ma'am', I only have a mind for nursing, no ability or desire to think beyond my role, etc. person.
Sounds harsh possibly, but it has been my observed reality enough to know it exists. Just be a newbie like everyone else at this point.
2) Think of it from a managerial/HR standpoint. One of the resons employers LOVE our whole educational entry argument, aside from the $$ savings it allows them, is the 'hold' hospitals have on their employees when they know that nursing is their only option. Hard to make waves, stand up for yourself, etc. if you couldn't chance being unable to work as a nurse. Having other/higher degrees, you have options and could be therefore seen as a threat. Hard to keep you under their thumb when you can take your game anywhere...
Plus, having already achieved in another area bodes toward the possibility you will likely advance in this field as well. They don't want to hire a 'stepping stone.' Y'know, train you for a year until you run off to CRNA school, etc.
Not saying any of these things are truly applicable to your situation. Just some possibilities and questions that could be raised should you encounter one of those odd types of people. Just better not to give rise to the possibilities. Blend in for now.....
I also have a non nursing masters degree. I do not hide it but on my cv I do not emphasize it either. I have a section of my cv that lists non nursing accomplishments.
It could also be that they (your professors) were giving you advice re ex turn positions and not for when you have your RN.
Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.
jkal,
I finished nursing school (ADN) with a straight 4.0 GPA and I do have some university classes classes under my belt. I lived in a rural/farming community. When it came time to apply for jobs I had one heck of a time getting a local position. I suspect that many of the NM interviewing me were intimidated by my grades and education because I knew students who did far more poorly in school get hired on. I finally applied at a large, research hospital and got an offer for the first position I applied for. Then I loved to a large metropolitan area and got a job offer with the first interview. I strongly suspect that small rural towns are distrustful of more highly educated people because they think you will storm the place and want to tell everybody how to do things your way whether accurate or not.
The idea that you have to hide something, that employers are greedy and only want someone they can keep under their collective thumbs, is disheartening.
If you do interview with such a place, don't take that job.
Stand up for yourself, be proud in a healthy way of your accomplishments. There is no reason to, as I said, brag and make yourself sound "holier than thou" but to hide your light under a bush is unprofessional.
There is no convincing some people!!! Most people want to stick with what is familier to them, and no one likes feeling that their job is threatened, or that they arn't good enough in comparison. People are insecure and defensive. We all are. But some poeple do try and succeed brilliantly at being better than that- and they are the poeple we dont let go of. Annnnyway, im rambling, soory.
Reno1978, BSN, RN
1,133 Posts
Could it be a timing issue? When did you start applying? Recently a student myself, I applied for my nursing externship MONTHS in advance and the positions seemed to be more "first come, first served" and positioned filled up fast.