What do they want??

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2018

I can tell you from personal experience that it is neither. Having recently taken several management and leadership courses I had to interview several of my coordinators and managers. When the topic of hiring came up, the hiring manager discussed looking for candidates that would mesh and assimilate into the work culture regardless of experience and age, and based on hiring practices within my unit I believe it.

Everline · Jan 5, 2018

My manager told me that skills can be taught. She looks for a personality fit. She generally leans towards upbeat, positive people who show enthusiasm for the specialty. That's not the only thing she looks for, but it plays a very large part in her decision. She has hired people of all different ages and experience levels.

Davey Do · Jan 5, 2018

What does the hiring manager value most hard working experienced baby boomers or paying less for younger staff?

At Wrongway Regional Medical Center, a license or certificate and the ability to undergo spontaneous respirations is all that's required by the hiring manager.

JKL33 · Jan 6, 2018

My manager told me that skills can be taught. She looks for a personality fit. She generally leans towards upbeat, positive people who show enthusiasm for the specialty.

I've heard this, too - it seems like kind of a cute phrase that has become popular with recent changes in acute care. I think they make big mistakes with this type of thinking. You can't make up for lack of critical thinking skills/tendencies (which, in reality should be the "skill" in question, as opposed to tasks) with a great personality when your job is caring for sick people, and while certain concepts may be able to be taught, independent critical thinking in general is a little more difficult to teach. It's certainly not easier than helping a quiet or "focused" person learn how to interact in a ways that patients respond favorably to.

Besides, the theory generally shows itself for what it is when the new hire is then thrown out with rotating preceptors who all have full patient loads. So much for teaching skills, not to mention teaching any critical thinking.