What do you think of this comment?

[zenurse]

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?

[Miss Mab]

Oh, agreed Steph!

It is disheartening that some people in some areas and in some cultures are unprofessional.

I agree with you.

It's downright depressing.....

[RN1989]

but why the big dance of saying that the criteria is GPA and recommendations?

Because telling the truth that they have a good ole boy system of hiring looks bad. And they could be violating standards and or actual laws in areas and definitely don't want anyone to take notice and scrutinize them.

There are probably people that are intimidated by your education. That is their problem of inferiority.

I say go with a functional resume instead of a chronological resume or a half and half type. That way you can play up the skills that you learned in your other degrees and how they can help you as a nurse but not have that big name college and jobs utilizing those degrees stand out so readily.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

And the rural stereotyping rolls on . . .

steph

Steph,

I see you live in California. I've lived in rural California, and I tell you - it's not like rural living in many other states.

IMHO, there are significant differences between large cities and many rural areas as far as how education is viewed, among other things. That's just the truth, and I won't dig my head in the sand about it.

So while I would never assume anything about any particular individual in any area, as that would be prejudice in action, I will acknowledge the overall and very real cultural differences of urban versus rural living.

[vashtee, RN]

I don't know why it is necessary to jump to the conclusion that this is about insecurity when it makes just as much sense that they are concened that someone with advanced education in another area won't be happy wiping booties for long.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

I think we are just surmising, here. It's all we can do, as we'll never know for sure.

[aloevera]

maybe they just don't need any help now with what days/hrs. you put in to work ????? or no program to train ?????

[aloevera]

oh, forgive me, I hadn't read everything...You haven't applied as yet...

well, what are you waiting for ??? Put you app in with honest answers and see what happens, don't waste time pondering over what may happen....

[GoldenFire5]

I've been here three years, and I didn't grow up here, so I don't know a lot of people.

This could be the real issue here, especially in a small town. I've been a nurse for about a year, and even in my big town, I'm finding that when there is competition for a job, it's still a matter of who you know that counts... just like it is in any industry. The person who got the externship may have known someone in the department or already worked at the hospital.

I just recently got a new job myself because a friend recommended me. The hiring manager opened a per diem position for me and it appeared on the website. When all my paperwork and references checked out, the job was closed. There were probably dozens and dozens of people who applied online for my job.... they never really had a chance.

It may not be fair, but it's the way the world works a lot of the time.

[zenurse]

Thanks for all of the advice; I really appreciate hearing everyone's take on the situation. :)

[seabiscuitRN]

I know that some rural hospitals rarely hire new grads, wheras larger facilites often have special programs and/or resources for more extensive orientation.

I also know that some people who graduated with "C" averages were more competent as new grads than some who graduated with "A" averages.

When I first started working as an RN, I was told that I was intended to be a mentor for some of the experienced nurses. My employer was impressed by the things I'd gained from my BA in English lit and my previous (varied) job and life experiences.

Obviously, those experienced cardiac nurses were invaluable mentors to me, with background as an LPN in psych. It's just so important to keep in mind that we're all gaining things from each other regardless of GPA or educational background. It becomes a problem when such things let us think that someone is somehow better or worse than we are. I wish I could say that I don't think about the way other people react to my previous degree, but I do. All I can say is that, when you're working, none of it matters. That pathophys exam I aced two years ago couldn't help me manage a patient whose ER nurse had programmed his heparin drip for 200cc an hour instead of 20, any more than being aware of the Ides of March is going to help me talk down an actively suicidal patient. What matters is how you put it all together into the nurse that you are now.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Strange suggestions, for sure. But, I would ask them to elaborate a bit more on what they mean, and then come out and ask them if they think this would be a hinderance on your search for a job. Personally, I think it is silly. As a nurse intern, it is known that you are transitioning from one position to another and you would not be there long, anyhow. Once you obtain your license, you disappear, unless they decide to hire you. And, I would rather have a nurse that communicates well than an idiot.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

I don't live in a rural area, in fact I live in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. Unfortunately, I had a similar problem. Couldn't even get a return phone call, let alone an interview. It got so bad for me that I eventually hired a resume consultant and they actually advised me to "tone down" my education because employers might question my motives in applying for a position for which I was (apparently) overqualified. I took some of my educational background off my resume, and the interviews followed.

Personally I don't think anyone should pretend to be any less than they are, but I can only relay to you what my experience was. I sometimes wonder whether it was the changes I made, or simply that my luck changed. Who knows?