I started working for a sub-acute LTC as the DSD last week. The DON and I hit it off because we have the same vision on what we need to do in order to solve the problems we current have.
Early this week, we posted an ad for RN charge nurse with no experience required. We feel it's best to have trainable nurses even though they lack experience. I was tasked to interview for the position as I will be the one training them for the first 36-hours.
Needless to say, I was flabbergasted with the array of applicants we had and now know why the some nurses eat their young.
- New
RN
grad said she's been working as a CNA and knows she can do the job because there's not much difference between being a charge nurse and CNA
- New
RN
grad said that she'll consider our offer, so I asked if she is being offered another position (as we need someone full time). She said she's expecting an offer any day now since she finished the online application earlier this week (and she was not kidding).
- Someone coming into the interview with a wrinkled nose and irked expression and said that she can smell the BM from the floor
- Someone who wrote "expert in IV medication preparation"; when asked what's their experience on it, she stated she's been a vet nurse and she's been doing those a lot.
- Someone who said they are not available for the first two weeks of April as they are going on a cruise
- Someone asking for the pay, end up telling me that new grad RNs in LA are paid $34/hr starting at the beginning of the interview.
- When asked about core measures, all of them couldn't deliver one intelligent answer.
and a lot more...
Looking back, I asked myself if I ever acted as arrogant and privileged as the ones I encountered. Most of the ones the new grads I interviewed have this air... like they have mastered a craft. Like I should be rolling out the red carpet for them.
