Feeling the sting of rejection

[missninaRN]

Last month I had a tuition scholarship interview at the hospital where I really want to work some day. If they chose to sponsor me, the state would match the funds and I would work for the hospital one year for every year they sponsored me.

I left the interview thinking that it went really well. I was myself. I was polite and friendly and respectful. I had excellent references, and my GPA and test scores are very high. I felt so hopeful that this would make it possible for me to pay for school. But as you can tell by the title of this thread, I was not chosen.

The rejection letter stated that I had excellent qualifications but they had chosen someone else. And of course, my first thought was that I had somehow blown the interview and they didn't like me.

I do know that all of the nurse managers/recruiters who sat in on the interview stressed that I should re-consider my plan to not work while in school. I did state that I was interested in a summer externship, but they all indicated that it would be in my best interest if I want to work there when I graduate to start while I am still in school. I agreed that this made sense and that I would seriously consider it.

Now I find myself re-examining every answer I gave, both in the interview and on the application, to try and figure out why I was not chosen. Maybe I shouldn't have answered truthfully when asked about my long-term career goals? (I want to be a FNP someday) The rejection letter I received seemed to indicate that they only chose one student. Maybe that person was just as qualified but also had experience in the medical field? I don't know.

I'm just having a hard time shaking the thought that I somehow blew it and they just didn't like me. I do tend to obsess.

So now I'm worried that they won't hire me as a nurse tech or later on as an RN because they didn't want me enough to lock me in with this scholarship. And if I can't get hired what's the point in going to nursing school, etc. etc. etc.

Am I just blowing this way out of proportion?

Obsess, obsess, obsess.

Please somebody tell me that I can still be a nurse and get a good job.

I'm trying to be really happy for the person who was chosen. I know they are so relieved and I'm sure that they deserved it and needed it more than I.

Anyway, as my hubby likes to point out, I'm still a free agent, right?

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

who knows why they didn't chose you? one thing is for sure, you will probably never know. and, later, chances are that it will be different people who will be interviewing you for a job. the higher our hopes the deeper the depression when things don't turn out the way we wished they would. you'll still go to nursing school, won't you? or, do you have financial problems that will prevent it? there will be plenty of jobs when you get your rn. haven't you heard that there's a nursing shortage? it's not always good to put all your eggs in one basket. when it comes time to look for a nurse tech or new grad job don't just apply to one facility. i'm a big believer that things happen for karmic reasons. this opportunity just wasn't for you and that's the way you should look at it. it was a good interviewing experience.

[glenwood]

Programs like the one you applied for are extreamly competitive. So don't get compulsive and self destructive over it. One you get that RN liscence you will get the job offers.

[missninaRN]

you'll still go to nursing school, won't you? or, do you have financial problems that will prevent it?

i'll still be going to school. it will be a little bit harder on us financially, but that's true for almost everyone else who's going.

and i do know that this particular scholarship truly was meant for someone else.

i guess i got hung up on the idea that i wasn't good enough to be the one they chose. but as daytonite so wisely pointed out, there is no way to know how they came to their decision, and i have decided that it does me absolutely no good to try and guess it.

thanks for the replies. i needed someone to snap me out of my "obsess cycle".

[kayel]

Nina, my girl, I'm sorry! I know how one can obsess about this but I'm sure it's nothing you did and I'm sending you big HUGS!! I know that I usually think I have things all figured out and I'm sometimes knocked back when God says, "Hey wait; I have something else planned for you!" It's hard, though ......... hang in there, kiddo .... you will be an awesome nurse and employee for somewhere -- maybe there -- when you are all finished! And then FNP!!

I am putting off going to bed which is really silly as I'm so tired but I'm glad I checked back to the board and saw this post. Got you in my thoughts and prayers! xo

[ORNURSETOBE]

I started nursing school in the fall of 2005. I wanted to work, but thought against it until after the first semester. After the first semester, I started applying to different area hospitals with no success. I eventually gave up. Then second semester came. I still put in applications, but still no success. I also put in for an externship and did not get that. Most people want someone who can commit to the hours they want and they also look for candidates that they think will work for them full time after the externship is over. After the end of second semester, I had a two week summer class that took up most of my time, but I figured If I started putting in applications, I could have a job for the summer. No success. Eventually, I had a classmate who was starting at an area hospital and called me to let me know that they definately needed nurse techs. She gave me names to contact, and I used them. It finally paid off. I got a job. I am a strong believer that things happen for a reason. It was not meant for me to get a job at that time. First semester was so intense. Second semester was worse. I would not have been able to work and study properly.

I did not get financial aid last year at all. I used my other avenues which was applying for a scholarship. I did recieve a scholarship from the same hospital that did not hire me until the summer. I owe them a year after I graduate. I did not want to be obligated to a hospital just in case I did not like it. I did not reapply this year. I decided to work part time over the summer and make my tuition that way. I do not know how your school works, but try scholarships from the school, and local hospitals also have scholarship programs through the schools. We have a lot of local scholarships through credit unions also. You must have a pretty decent GPA to get into nursing school. Ours is based on your GPA, so I knew that I could get a scholarship if I wanted it and was willing to commit to giving back time.

Check out your other resourses and try other hospitals. Most hospitals have a tuition reinbursement program. "Nothing beats a failure but a TRY!" Keep your head up.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry you didn't get the scholarship. Sometimes it's just "who you know" and maybe someone had an in that you didn't. Anyway, try not to obsess. Good luck!

[DaFreak71]

The same thing happened to my husband when he was in nursing school. He is an academic phenom, if anyone was to get a scholarship, it would be him hands down. His interview went very well. Weeks passed and we didn't hear anything. Finally he called the hospital and was told that he wasn't chosen. He didn't take it hard, but it was just sorta confusing to us since he had exceeded all the requirements and interviewed very well. Come to find out, nobody got chosen. They decided to use the scholarship funds to install plasma screen TV's in the maternity ward rooms.

Sure glad he didn't end up working there.

There could be many reasons (none of which have anything to do with YOU) for why you didn't get the scholarship. Hang in there and feel better soon.