Asking for constructive criticism and persistance?

Nurses New Nurse

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I am a new graduate, so I ofcourse I need guidance from what I call real nurses.

I had an interview at a hospital with a nurse manager who ended up sick on the day of the interview for the CSU or ICU. The HR person set up for me to interview with the Chief Nurse for the whole hospital (talk about nervous) on the same day. I interviewed with the head nurse and I received a call that friday (interview tuesday) from the HR person saying that they wanted me to join the ___________ Hospital team. However, it happened that the position I was called to interview for did not exist. I was also complimented with the statement that the head RN thought that I interviewed with extreme professionalism and she is impressed with me. (Totally took me by surprise because I was so nervous). So, the HR person said she would call back with a new interview with a nurse manager from another area that had an opening.

The hospital system was my focus, not the exact area. This facility focuses on holistic healing and provides care to the patient that is based on compassion as much as skill. The patient nurse ratio there is low purposely for the nurse to do the extra things that most do not have time to do. That was my reason for wanting to work at this hospital and that was clear to all.

I came in for a second interview. I interviewed with the HR person, nurse recruiter who stated that the head nurse had said that she wanted me hired for any position in the hospital. I interviewed with the HR recruiter for at least 45 minutes to an hour at least. The interview part seemed to go well. She explained what rate of pay I would receive and how it changed during training. She explained training to me in depth. She provided me with a list of benefits that I would get after starting working. In depth benefits.

She then took me to the nurse manager who could not be found for a while. When she was found, she was upset and angry making negative comments I just ignored. We went into her office, and she asked me a few questions quickly. She explained how everything worked on the floor and it was hurried. I understand her time is valuable and she is busy. She told me of the upcoming changes that I was happy to hear about. Everything seemed good. She told me that I would hear from HR by end of week to early following week because she was interviewing until end of following week of my interview.

I was optimistic about this position, especially because I had the head nurse on my side who wanted me hired.

I sent my thank you letter at the end of the week she said she would be done interviewing to her. On tuesday of the last week she said I would hear from her I got the generic letter saying that other candidates that better meet the qualifications got chosen.

At the very last part of the interview, I saw a classmate that failed into my nursing class. I was not a socializer and I was a top performer, so I think I got a bad reputation. I had no time for socializing and I do not gossip, so I just stuck to myself and my one friend. I do not want to be overly presumptious, but I wonder if she said something bad about me to cause this.

I wrote a letter to both the head nurse and nurse manager asking for constructive criticism, but neither replied. I found that odd? Am I entitled to find out why I did not get the job? I really want to know if I did something wrong, what did I do so I never do it again? I am planning on calling human resources with the question. I am even questioning if something is wrong with my checks? I know there should not be, but maybe something happened and information was incorrect.

I know they are not going to hire me, so I feel that I must be persistant to see what went wrong? Do I have a right to know? Do people normally not answer request for constructive criticism? How do I best handle this?

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Specializes in LTC.

MOVEON.COM

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Specializes in ED/ICU/TELEMETRY/LTC.

Ok, for you first question, no, you are not "entitled" to know why they didn't hire you. Nurses and nurse managers are busy people and you may not get a response from them. Your best bet is HR. Go in to see them.

No, don't call, they will just blow you off, but if you go in you might be able to see them, at the least they will know you are serious about wanting to know and wanting to work there and may let you set up an appointment to find out what when wrong. Your persistence may pay off.

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I'm sorry it didn't turn out well. And, no- you are not "entitled" to anything from them. :o

So many nurses are having trouble finding jobs- it's the market. Someone with experience may have been in the mix.

But, from what you said, I'm not so sure they didn't do you a favor. It sounds like the "highest up" was positive, but the nurse manager sounds like she was rushed, and if it was that noticeable during a scheduled interview, I don't know that I'd be too comfortable if things came up unexpectedly. :( Things can get hectic- but an interview appointment needs to let any new employee see that they aren't running around like crazy, and give it the attention it deserves. That is also part of her job.

Move on. :) :hug:

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MOVEON.COM

How does that help me to become a better person. I am always trying to grow and learn from my mistakes. Thanks for your perspective.

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How does that help me to become a better person. I am always trying to grow and learn from my mistakes. Thanks for your perspective.

But you may not have made a mistake !! Don't dwell on what you can't change. It's hard to not get in where you want to work- I didn't get the job I thought was my 'dream job' in school, for 17 YEARS- and then found it to be a hot mess. :D

Don't analyze what you can't know- like the other candidates.

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Ok, for you first question, no, you are not "entitled" to know why they didn't hire you. Nurses and nurse managers are busy people and you may not get a response from them. Your best bet is HR. Go in to see them.

No, don't call, they will just blow you off, but if you go in you might be able to see them, at the least they will know you are serious about wanting to know and wanting to work there and may let you set up an appointment to find out what when wrong. Your persistence may pay off.

Thanks. I see your point about being busy, I know that nurse manager was overwhelmed. Did not think of that. Thanks for idea to go into HR, I will do that! I really do want to know. Thanks for your help. Very helpful!

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But you may not have made a mistake !! Don't dwell on what you can't change. It's hard to not get in where you want to work- I didn't get the job I thought was my 'dream job' in school, for 17 YEARS- and then found it to be a hot mess. :D

Don't analyze what you can't know- like the other candidates.

Okay, I see your point. I always feel like I must have made some horrible mistake, I guess I am wired that way. I never consider that its just something out of my control that caused it. You could probably give me a lot of advice I need to take.

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Specializes in Cardio, ED, Case Mgmt, UM, Recruiting,.

I really doubt that HR, the nurse manager, or anyone else there will tell you specifically why you did not get the job or if you made any mistakes along the way. "A more qualified candidate was selected" is the standard answer, and it is probably true. Someone else may have had more applicable experience or may have been a better "fit" for the unit for some reason. I really would not push them for answers - They are not going to give them to you, and you may end up being very irritating to them which could have a negative impact on future employment opportunities. They are not there to coach you to make you a better candidate in the future.

Be thankful for being considered and for the interviewing experience, and move on.

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I'm sorry it didn't turn out well. And, no- you are not "entitled" to anything from them. :o

So many nurses are having trouble finding jobs- it's the market. Someone with experience may have been in the mix.

But, from what you said, I'm not so sure they didn't do you a favor. It sounds like the "highest up" was positive, but the nurse manager sounds like she was rushed, and if it was that noticeable during a scheduled interview, I don't know that I'd be too comfortable if things came up unexpectedly. :( Things can get hectic- but an interview appointment needs to let any new employee see that they aren't running around like crazy, and give it the attention it deserves. That is also part of her job.

Move on. :) :hug:

Good point. To be honest, for my hospital interviews, most have been rushed like that (not all though). Its nice to hear what real nurses have to say because I dont see the things that a real nurse sees.

See as much sense as you make, I cant help but think in the back of my mind that I did something wrong, horribly wrong. I was in retail management prior to nursing, and I never interviewed for a position I didnt get. I think I have a unrealistic reality in regard to nursing and crossing into the professionalism aspect.

Plus, I wonder if my lack of confidence shows. In retail, I knew it all back and forth and I was confident. In nursing, I know where my place is as a new grad and I do not feel confident at all.

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I really doubt that HR, the nurse manager, or anyone else there will tell you specifically why you did not get the job or if you made any mistakes along the way. "A more qualified candidate was selected" is the standard answer, and it is probably true. Someone else may have had more applicable experience or may have been a better "fit" for the unit for some reason. I really would not push them for answers - They are not going to give them to you, and you may end up being very irritating to them which could have a negative impact on future employment opportunities. They are not there to coach you to make you a better candidate in the future.

Be thankful for being considered and for the interviewing experience, and move on.

I wish nursing school would be honest like this because all of the nurses at school and even my good friends that are nurses are telling me it is appropriate to ask for feedback? Im so confused what is right to do and what is not right to do? I mean they push it in school, ask what you did wrong and they will respect you for it because you are trying to grow as a person. Thanks for your input.

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You're not in school :)

The game has changed. :eek:

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