I got the job!!

U.S.A. Michigan

Published

Hi everyone, I realize these are tough times for new grad or experienced nurses... Especially for us Michiganders. I'm currently on the hunt for an RN position just like many of you. If you landed an interview, do share... Tell us how it went, was the recruiter and or unit mgr nice? What was your toughest interview question? Vent about the waiting game (defined as the time of interview to time of notification of job status). Finally did you get the job if so share your success! Let's support one another:)

Specializes in Geriatrics, Family Practice.

Kindred Healthcare in Detroit is looking for RN's on the Midnight shift. Shoot me a pm if interested in more details.

Ok so I'll start... I'm an RN with 3 years experience. I'be been working in the hospital and it was pretty nice. I had to resign recently for family/personal reasons. I'm utilizing the summer to aggresively pursue new career opportunities as I now have to wait 6mos for rehire into the system. Boy was that a mistake... I thought I would work through a few agencies over the summer just to bring a paycheck into the house and free up my time while I job hunt and interview. But nobody seems to have needs unless youre an ER nurse. So I've applied to everywhere. Many hospitals are overlooking AND nurses now because there are many BSN prepared nurses now and so you know the rest. So I spend many hours at career centers polishing over my resumes, my cover letters, my thank you notes, updating and references. Requesting letters of recommendation from colleagues and physicians I've worked with. Hours combing through job search sites such as monster, indeed, and michigan works. Sending resumes to every health system in MI. Going onto corporate web sites applying. If it is something I am really interested in, after appying online I go to the hospital professionally dressed, visit the unit, try to meet a few staff members, the manager, give him/her a copy of my resume and cover letter if their not in, leave it anyways and have one of the staff members that I connected with get me his/her business card so that I can follow up with a call and email. Going on linkedin networking (just started that) and this is pretty much my life. I have recently enrolled in a RN to BSN program. I have gone on 4 interviews. DMC, beaumont, st johns and hospice of Michigan. I did not get the DMC or Beaumont positions rec'd a generic Email "we have decided to go with another candidate whose qualifications better fit our needs". I followed up with the nursing recruiters to thank them for their response and suggestions on improvements. No responses. I am waiting on an answer from st johns as I did follow up with the unit manager with a thank you note and recruitment regarding my status 1 week following the interview. I received 2 calls from them. Both to schedule interviews for another unit next week. Still no status regarding the previous one. Interviewed with hospice of Michigan yesterday for a contingent position so I am waiting to hear back from them. I have another interview with Beaumont next week

Ok so I'll start... I'm an RN with 3 years experience. I've been working in the hospital and it was pretty nice. I had to resign recently for family/personal reasons. I'm utilizing the summer to aggresively pursue new career opportunities as I now have to wait 6mos for rehire into the system. Boy was that a mistake... I thought I would work through a few agencies over the summer just to bring a paycheck into the house and free up my time while I job hunt and interview. But nobody seems to have needs unless youre an ER nurse. So I've been applying everywhere. Many hospitals are overlooking ADN nurses now because there are many, many BSN prepared nurses now and so you know the rest.

So I spend many hours at career centers polishing over my resumes, my cover letters, my thank you notes, updating my references. Requesting letters of recommendation from colleagues and physicians I've worked with. Hours combing through job search sites such as monster, indeed, and michigan works. Sending resumes to every health system in MI. They say when you don't have a job, you should make your job looking for a job.

I've been going onto corporate web sites applying. If there is something I am really interested in, after appying online I go to the hospital professionally dressed, visit the unit, try to meet a few of the staff members, the manager, give him/her a copy of my resume and cover letter specific for that position and if their not in the office, I leave it anyways and have one of the staff members that I connected with get me the managers business card so that I can follow up with a call and email. I started going on linkedin networking (just started that) and this is pretty much my life any rejection emails I receive I always take note of the nursing recruiters name and phone number or if the system itself has a number for nursing recruitment I make sure I call just to make a contact or connection.

I have recently enrolled in a RN to BSN program. I realize that this is quite necessary in such a competitive market. I will go on until I get my Doctorate. Nursing schools were competitive and when I started people were beginning to complain about waiting lists etc. I never had that issue. When I finished people were complaining of not getting jobs... Again, I never had that issue. I'm starting to feel the backlash of the market itself, I thought it was really only effecting the new grads. WRONG!!! A nurse educator told me that the health care industry is feeling the effects most other industries felt after 9/11. It just took longer for us to get hit. Now most other industries are recovering and we are starting to have issues with employment.

Oookaay back to topic! I have gone on 4 interviews with DMC, Beaumont, St johns and Hospice of Michigan. I did not get the DMC or Beaumont positions instead I rec'd a generic Email "we have decided to go with another candidate whose qualifications better fit our needs". I followed up with the nursing recruiters to thank them for their response and suggestions on improvements. No responses. I am waiting on an answer from st johns as I did follow up with the unit manager with a thank you note and recruitment regarding my status 1 week following the interview. I received 2 calls from them. Was I excited both times as I thought "this is it" Both calls were to schedule interviews for another unit next week. Still no status regarding the previous one.

Interviewed with hospice of Michigan yesterday for a contingent position so I am waiting to hear back from them. I have another interview scheduled with Beaumont next week so I'm going to give it my all! I have reheorificed interview questions until I'm blue in the face. I record myself to make sure I am poised and fluid, that I sound friendly, and confident. I even had my aunts best friend who conducts seminars on job/career transitioning conduct a mock interview. After the 4th question she stopped me and said there is no need to continue, you interview well. You know what to say, you deliver your thoughts beautifully and you really draw in the listener. You look great, well dressed not too overstated just the right touch. She told me to just hang in there my job will come, the one that is right for ME.

I recently accepted a position in a SNF. I am eternally grateful because I need an income and this place which is actually pretty nice hired me without blinking an eye! My friend who works there told me to apply and she said she would tell HR about me. This place gave me a chance when no one else would. I just started orientation but I am still looking. I really want to work in the hospital, I know many of them don't consider or respect SNF experience. I don't want to hurt my friends feelings or reputation by leaving. If I am offered a job in the hospital in the near future... I will take it. I have to do what's best for my career but I feel so guilty. So anyways... I got the job!

So... I mentioned that I went on an interview Friday with hospice of Michigan. They called me yesterday... I got the job! It is a contingent assignment that will allow for me to work two 8 hour shifts every 2 weeks and 2 weekend days a month. This will be my "Christmas money" job. I interviewed with Beaumont yesterday, it went really well. The unit manager stated afterward... "I have to say, you really impressed me". She went on to say that she thinks I am just a good human being in general and that I am in my calling. That made me feel really good and gave me the confirmation I needed. So I'm waiting to hear back...Still have an interview on Thursday with St Johns Providence. We'll see how that goes :)

Specializes in Geriatrics, Family Practice.

Congrats CandyGyrl..is the pay decent, I turned down an interview for Admissions Coord because I hate interviewing. Any advice you care to share to sharpen my interviewing skills and about Hospice of MI. I may apply again since they are offering a sign on bonus..who knows

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

It really is tough out there. I hope people will learn from what worked for you.

I have just over 300 applications out there and have only had 3 interviews since March. I'm currently waiting on the results of a background check from a local hospital. I would say which one, but then, I may as well say who I am. Yep, it's tough out there.

TiffanyRN,Yes the pay is good but it is contingent so it is typical that you would receive higher pay due to no benefits. It's funny you should mention the admissions coordinator because I applied for that as well. (nice sign on bonus) they asked if I was still interested but I said that was ok because the office I was interviewing with did not manage that position and I did not want to ruin the bird in the hand vs the 2 in the bush :) Try to apply again, the position I think is still available. Email me I'll gladly share interview tips with you!Thanks CrunchRN, it was far more difficult than I could have ever expected. So I know if its a struggle for me... Many others must be having similar experiences. That's why I feel it would be nice to have somewhat of a support system to share our stories, vent, encourage and provide tips if possible.Despareux, I know exactly what you mean. I've spent countless hours working on resumes and cover letters, searching for jobs, applying, really trying to connect... I had nothing and with 2 children I really needed some income. So tough is putting it nicely. Good luck!

Hey CandyGyrl, seems like you really have it together. Im very impressed and happy for you in your persistance and landing the jobs you have. This really inspires me not to give up; Im still at the stage of trying to pass nclex, failed it the first time and felt really defeated, but hearing stories as yours and others inspires me to continue. Good luck to you and all your endeavors; you are definately going to go far in your career. I hope and pray I am as successful. Any nclex and interviewing tips would be greatly appreciated. My email is [email protected], thanks!

Hi porkey,It's interesting you put it that way that makes me smile :) Thank you. But honestly I wasn't feeling all that successful. It's important to stay persistent and don't give up. You fail, you get rejected get back up. Get back in the ring! It's easier said than done but hang in there and things will eventually work out in your favor.I'm still waiting to hear back from the hospitals. Beaumont called earlier today... False alarm they needed the number for one of my previous employers. They are doing a reference check sooo that's a good sign. I didn't hear back from them so I've been worried all day. The waiting game is torture. Now its going into the weekend and I will have to wait yet again (tapping my feet). But I'll try and take my mind off of it and maybe enjoy the woodward dream cruise and spend some time with my family.

Hey CandyGyrl, Im pretty sure you have the job. I have no doubt in my mind, so I will say congradulations in advance! I understand how it feels though to be waiting for something you really want, but there is nothing you can do about it at this point; enjoy your weekend and the weather, its gorgeous!

+ Add a Comment