Hiring manager offered position, HR said no and won't tell me why.

Nurses General Nursing

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Im so confused and upset.

I've been a public health nurse for a year and 6 mos of cardiac pcu prior to that.

2 weeks ago I interviewed for a cardiac tele floor at ********, and it went wonderfully. The hiring manager gave me a tour of the entire unit and introduced me to almost every nurse. At the end of the tour/interview, she shook my hand and even gave me a hug and said, "Welcome to the team!"

She told me to wait and hear from the HR department. After almost 2 weeks of not hearing anything I gave the recruiter a call and she very rudely said that they would not be hiring me and that they hired another candidate instead. I explained how the manager that I interviewed with had offered me the position and that I was very confused and wondered if she could share what went wrong or why I was being denied the position (there were day and night positions available, btw). She said she couldn't say anything. Nothing about my references or what went wrong. Just that they weren't going to offer me the position, but could not tell me a single reason why. I called the hiring manager afterwards, since she had given me her cell phone number, and she could tell I was upset and said that she would call the recruiter herself because she really wanted to hire me but HR told her that she couldn't. She called me back about 5 mins later and told me that the recruiter said she couldn't tell her or myself why. I didn't authorize a background check or anything (not that anything is on it anyways). All of my references checked out because I called each and every one of them and all gave glowing references.

I'm so confused and upset. Has anyone else had an experience like this or have any feedback?

Happy nurses week to me. :(

Thank you for any input.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
I wouldn't think so either. I called all of my references who I have great relationships with and all of them said no one called them. All they had to do was an electronic email reference, and that was done before my in person interview. There was no background check done (or asked to be done), no references actually called. It still makes zero sense. The hiring manager even called HR herself and they wouldn't tell her why she couldn't hire me.

I'm sorry, OP. As a hiring manager, I'm a bit stumped by what happened. All of my original thoughts are surrounding reference checks or the background check, which you say hadn't happened yet. Other than those things, I've got nothing, unless HR knows something about the manager's future with the hospital that the manager herself doesn't know, and they've determined that they are not going to bring in any new employees of that manager's choosing. Don't know. I'm sorry that happened to you. It was an expensive lesson learned, that it's not for certain until you get the almighty offer letter (and even then, it can always change, but you should feel pretty safe to move forward with your planning once you receive the letter).

That's how it is with us as well. It's 100% the hiring manager's decision, with the exception of making sure the background check and licensure is in order.

I even had an applicant who was in a monitoring program for drug abuse, and while HR strongly discouraged me from moving forward with her application, the decision to do so was left totally up to me.

Wow, crazy. They didn't ask to do a background or tox or anything. They didn't call my references. The hiring manager was as confused as I was because she said she really wanted to hire me and that she already offered me the position. The only thing I can think of is that they had just hired new grads and gave the position to one of them, doesn't make much sense but none of the other scenarios fit. I'd just like to know if it was something I did or didn't do going forward.

I'm sorry, OP. As a hiring manager, I'm a bit stumped by what happened. All of my original thoughts are surrounding reference checks or the background check, which you say hadn't happened yet. Other than those things, I've got nothing, unless HR knows something about the manager's future with the hospital that the manager herself doesn't know, and they've determined that they are not going to bring in any new employees of that manager's choosing. Don't know. I'm sorry that happened to you. It was an expensive lesson learned, that it's not for certain until you get the almighty offer letter (and even then, it can always change, but you should feel pretty safe to move forward with your planning once you receive the letter).

Thanks so much, I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling completely confused! I just wish I knew what it was going forward, but it seems like they may have just forgotten (?!) they offered me the position and gave it to someone else. Another recruiter with the same company said they had just hired a bunch of new grads? Nothing else make sense in my mind. Oh well, hopefully I can find something else after months of applying to hospitals...

Thanks again!

Sheesh, I can't do anything right lol. Thanks for the comment.

It's not so much that as it is this forum is a bit different then most other forums on the web. It's not that difficult to be "outed" here (happened to me and I'm very, very careful) and because of this we have to maintain at least a smidgen of professionalism and political correctness. I believe AN has over a million members so there's bound to be at least one person you know or work with on this board. Not to mention the fact that despite the appearance that the nursing world is vast it is actually very, very small and people talk...a lot. You would not believe the tales of woe we've heard over the years from posters who were a bit loose-lipped. We just don't want to see you fall into that trap so early in your career.:)

Im so confused and upset.

I've been a public health nurse for a year and 6 mos of cardiac pcu prior to that.

2 weeks ago I interviewed for a cardiac tele floor at ********, and it went wonderfully. The hiring manager gave me a tour of the entire unit and introduced me to almost every nurse. At the end of the tour/interview, she shook my hand and even gave me a hug and said, "Welcome to the team!"

She told me to wait and hear from the HR department. After almost 2 weeks of not hearing anything I gave the recruiter a call and she very rudely said that they would not be hiring me and that they hired another candidate instead. I explained how the manager that I interviewed with had offered me the position and that I was very confused and wondered if she could share what went wrong or why I was being denied the position (there were day and night positions available, btw). She said she couldn't say anything. Nothing about my references or what went wrong. Just that they weren't going to offer me the position, but could not tell me a single reason why. I called the hiring manager afterwards, since she had given me her cell phone number, and she could tell I was upset and said that she would call the recruiter herself because she really wanted to hire me but HR told her that she couldn't. She called me back about 5 mins later and told me that the recruiter said she couldn't tell her or myself why. I didn't authorize a background check or anything (not that anything is on it anyways). All of my references checked out because I called each and every one of them and all gave glowing references.

I'm so confused and upset. Has anyone else had an experience like this or have any feedback?

Happy nurses week to me. :(

Thank you for any input.

I'm sorry this happenned to you, but think of it as a learning exeprience. Here are a few things you can do before your next interview.

1. [/b]Consult with a professional resume service.[/b] They can help your resume stand out and shine.

2. Clean up you social media pages.Prospective employers view your history and what types of things you are posting. If you posted negative statements about your current or previous employer that would be a red flag to someone looking at your timeline. Delete any pictures that you wouldn't want a future employer to see. (Keep in mind even if you have your privacy seetings private, that those images never truly "go away" i.e., a friend shared a picture and tagged you )

3. Move ForwardYou tried to get some feedback, but I don't think you are going to get any answers from that hospital as to whythey didn't hire you. So plan how you will present yourself on your resume, on the phone with HR, and at the interview.

4.Remember somethings are simply out of your control The Manager obviously like and wanted to hire you, so you must have great communication skills!

If you don't really want to leave Florida, have you considered taking a travel assignment within the state? You already have a Fl license. I know three travelers who ended up getting full time positions at the hospital of their choice through a travel assignment.

I know this is horrible now, but it will get better! Best of luck to you.

I'm sorry this happenned to you, but think of it as a learning exeprience. Here are a few things you can do before your next interview.

1. [/b]Consult with a professional resume service.[/b] They can help your resume stand out and shine.

2. Clean up you social media pages.Prospective employers view your history and what types of things you are posting. If you posted negative statements about your current or previous employer that would be a red flag to someone looking at your timeline. Delete any pictures that you wouldn't want a future employer to see. (Keep in mind even if you have your privacy seetings private, that those images never truly "go away" i.e., a friend shared a picture and tagged you )

3. Move ForwardYou tried to get some feedback, but I don't think you are going to get any answers from that hospital as to whythey didn't hire you. So plan how you will present yourself on your resume, on the phone with HR, and at the interview.

4.Remember somethings are simply out of your control The Manager obviously like and wanted to hire you, so you must have great communication skills!

If you don't really want to leave Florida, have you considered taking a travel assignment within the state? You already have a Fl license. I know three travelers who ended up getting full time positions at the hospital of their choice through a travel assignment.

I know this is horrible now, but it will get better! Best of luck to you.

Thank you for your advice!

I'm not on social media, so thankfully don't have to worry about that one. :)

I have looked into and spoken to travel recruiters but I need to get more acute care experience if I decide to go that route in the future.

I do have a multi state and California license, so I'm applying all over, but would like to stay where it's warm.

I just got a call from another hospital today, after spending 6 straight hours applying everywhere yesterday haha. Thank you for your well wishes!

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Never think you have the job until you have an offer in writing with a firm start date and salary negotiated. Even then, it can still all fall apart through no fault of your own.

I hope you find something soon.

Never think you have the job until you have an offer in writing with a firm start date and salary negotiated. Even then, it can still all fall apart through no fault of your own.

I hope you find something soon.

Lesson learned for a newer nurse such as myself. Still finding it to be unprofessional, but it is what it is. Thanks! :)

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

It happens all the time. Unprofessional yes. Unusual? no, unfortunately. You will become more savvy with time and learn to be wary of off-the-cuff job offers. They can work out, but generally tend to fall apart for one reason or another. Next time you will know to smile and shake their hand, say you are excited to see their offer in writing and can't wait to hear from them.

Specializes in NICU.

happens all the time,favoritism etc.they just hold a carrot in front of you.

happens all the time,favoritism etc.they just hold a carrot in front of you.

Very sad :(

Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.

That is so disheartening! I am sorry you experienced that. Unfortunately, no one warns us in school about the politics of our profession. Try to put it behind you.

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