Had an interview yesterday... what do you think?

[estrogen]

So I had an interview yesterday.

Everything went really well in my view, untill it came to the pay question... I wrote down in the application questionnaire in the section about my pay expectation, that I would like to have $22 an hour. When the nursing manager looked at it, it seemed like her demeanor changed just a tad from animated, almost excited and very friendly to just a little bit cold and distant. She said, that $19 is as high as she can go and she asked me "How long have you been a nurse?" in my mind just kind of referencing (hint-hint) to the fact that I have only been a nurse (LPN) for two years and allready want so much money... I tried to be very friendly, polite and positive and I told her this: "The reason I wrote down twenty two is that with this job I would be working less hours than in my previous (I was payed 18$ and that's what I also wrote down in the questionnaire) and that since this one is without benefits I will have to substitute for health insurance. But it you could give me at least 20$, that would be okay with me".

She said, that she will have to talk to the administrator and if she could call me tomorrow.

Now I wonder, if I made a mistake by bargaining. I could have taken it at 19 but I thaught, since I'm going to settle, it wouldn't look right eighter, if I didn't stand my grounds at least half way... What do you think???

It is a part time - Friday, Saturday night shift only and the lady made an impression, that she'd have a hard time to fill such an odd shift. I can't imagine they would have too many people interested in this job. Also, I'm an LPN comming to a nursing home from a med-surg hospital floor. I assumed that would be concidered an asset... When I was leaving there and she was walking me out, we ran into another employee who asked the manager jokingly: "You're letting her leave?" ....She answered "Not for long though...". She also said to me "I think that you would fit in great here."

Now it's three in the afternoon the next day and she didn't call yet. I'm getting nervous. I would really like to get this job. The hours a ideal for me, the place is just a couple block from my home and I really like this nursing home... Do you guys think that I made a mistake by bargaining with her? Do you think that she'll call? ...And, do you think, that if she doesn't call soon, I should call there and follow up with her?

[baby&mommynurse]

So this manager finally called today. A WEEK LATER, after she told me, she'd call the very next day. I'm sure she was waiting to see if anyone else would be interested, who would work for less money. I don't know it kind of turns me off now.... It wouldn't have if she wouldn't have said that she'll call "tomorrow"... Too bad because I really liked that place. But my gut feeling kind of tells me, that this lady would probably be trouble in the future too. Like say for instance, I'll ask her for some info, vacation, aproval on something... and she doesn't get back to me untill a week later...

Did you ask why she didn't call back right away? I wouldn't jump to any conclusions or assume she's "this type" of manager... our nurse manager is very busy; constantly in a meeting or working on staffing or what not. Maybe this manager is very busy as well and couldn't get back to you until today. Perhaps she had other interviews to do, in which case, she couldn't get back to you to tell you if you got the job or not because she would have to decide between you and the rest of the people who interviewed with her. Usually after an interview, I'll send my thank you note, then call several days later if I had not heard back from the person I interviewed with as a reminder that you are waiting for an answer. As a matter of fact, the same thing happened to me prior to getting my current job. I had to call a few times because my manager was in meetings and she also had to hear from HR to make sure everything was in order with paperwork before she could officially tell me I was hired.

Out of curiosity, did you accept the position?

[estrogen]

Did you ask why she didn't call back right away? I wouldn't jump to any conclusions or assume she's "this type" of manager... our nurse manager is very busy; constantly in a meeting or working on staffing or what not. Maybe this manager is very busy as well and couldn't get back to you until today. Perhaps she had other interviews to do, in which case, she couldn't get back to you to tell you if you got the job or not because she would have to decide between you and the rest of the people who interviewed with her. Usually after an interview, I'll send my thank you note, then call several days later if I had not heard back from the person I interviewed with as a reminder that you are waiting for an answer. As a matter of fact, the same thing happened to me prior to getting my current job. I had to call a few times because my manager was in meetings and she also had to hear from HR to make sure everything was in order with paperwork before she could officially tell me I was hired.

Out of curiosity, did you accept the position?

Well, she left a message on the answering machine asking me to call her back. I didn't do that yet, because I'm trying to decide how to respond. I have another offer from a different facility too, so I'm really at odds. The first one has great hours and great pay and is an easy job (residential dementia care), the other one seems more flexible and probably has more chalenging and interesting patients (vented ECF unit). I really don't know...

Back to the nursing manager, I'd understand that she might be very bussy, except she specifically told me, that she'll call the very next day. I would even understand, if she called a day late or so, but a week? I don't know... If I tell someone, that I'll call tomorrow, I don't expect that person to wait a week... and if I needed more time, than I originally thaught, I'd let that person know.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Where I live RNs are getting $17/hour for a first job and you stated you are an LPN. If she had to clear the wage with someone else it could easily have taken a week, and she probably had to do some fast talking if it was out of the institution's range. If she actually got you what you wanted she would be wonderful to work with.

I think you owe her a timely call back no matter what your, or her, decision is.

[estrogen]

Where I live RNs are getting $17/hour for a first job and you stated you are an LPN. If she had to clear the wage with someone else it could easily have taken a week, and she probably had to do some fast talking if it was out of the institution's range. If she actually got you what you wanted she would be wonderful to work with.

I think you owe her a timely call back no matter what your, or her, decision is.

Well, I didn't say I'm not going to call her back, did I? Here in WA state RN's in Long Term Care are making on average anywhere between 25 and 35 $, LPN's 18 to 25.... Pay differs across the country depending on cost of living... Just like in any other profession, I would assume.

[estrogen]

I didn't see your original post until today. I'm not sure what LPN's make anywhere or how much experience you have, but new RN's make about $21 an hour in southern Michigan. If you can get 22, go for it. I agree with the argument that if you're not getting benefits you should ask for more. But in all honesty, having been a manager in my previous career, it's not the nurse manager's problem that this job is fewer hours than your last one, and it's unfair to expect a higher wage based on that. If your experience or the setting warrants it, by all means. Just don't base it on the number of hours.

Oh, It's definately not the nurse manager's problem. It's my problem. I just gave her my personal reasons behind asking the specific amount of money. ...She doesn't have to concider my personal reasons. And she doesn't have to hire me, if she doesn't want to, right?

I'm not getting 22$ though... As stated in my first post, I told her, that 20 would be OK. :)