Asked to Shadow During Job Interview

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hello Fellow Nurses!

I am so discouraged on my job hunt as a new nurse. 6 interviews so far and 5 of them "went to pursue other candidates" (1 of the jobs is currently pending since the interview was today!) I felt like it went really well. I really prepared for this interview. This past week I googled and researched everything and anything about this hospital such as why and how it was started, all their committees, national rankings, memorized their mission statement, vision, etc. I was so prepared collecting all the questions i was asked previous along with other questions I googled and practiced my answers over and over on my hour commute to the hospital this morning. The nurse manager asked me 5 simple questions such as why did I become a nurse? So the 5th questions goes boom -- "So would you be interested in coming in and shadowing this week?" Of course I said yes! Then she continued on to tell me about herself and the unit. The interviewed lasted roughly 15 minutes, then I was out of there!

SO my question is..

How likely is it that I got the job? Im nervous since we only spoke for 15 minutes that she really didnt get a feel for me and just is interviewing multiple people and having multiple canidates coming in to shadow?

It sounds like she is having more than one person shadow cause she also told me that her nursing staff is going to be looking for signs to see if I am a good fit for their unit.

Any suggestions on what I should bring, what questions to ask, and any other advice you could give during my few hours of shadowing.

Also, can fellow nurses tell me about their shadow experience (if they got the job when they shadowing and what questions and stuff they asked during their shadow)

Please help me out!

Zour RN XOXO

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Specializes in Ortho.

Wear scrubs. Act interested. Ask appropriate questions, don't just ask a question to ask. Stay as long as they let you. That's what I did.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

^^^ definitely this ^^^^

Interviewing - like all other skills - gets better with practice. Sounds like you did everything right, including making sure you researched the organization. Hiring managers are looking for staff who will stay for the long term. Therefore, the applicants who seem to be interested in that specific organization will make a much better impression than those who are simply going through the motions.

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Job Shadowing is always a good sign. I had a job shadow on Monday and was offered a job on Tuesday! I wore scrubs and ask questions about the unit, how is the nurse to patient ratio, how are the Docs, how long has everyone been there, etc. I stayed about 3 hours. Good luck and keep us updated!

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Thank you! I'm so excited the unit is the PCU so I know I'm gonna have a ton of questions to ask. I'll update if I got the job!

oxox

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Good luck to you! My fingers are crossed! :)

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Just got out of shadowing earlier. I shadowed from 7-1030am. The nurse director asked me what I thought and if I had any questions. I told her I loved the acuity of the patients and the business of the unit and how they followed the all RN format and there was no CNAS. I asked if given the opportunity of employment how orientstion would go. I also asked how long to expect to hear and she said she s had more interviews and more shadows to do this and next week. Is this not a good sign??? Everyone I talked to who shadowed said that everyone who shadowed said the found out that day if they got the job. Also everyone all the nurses were congratulating me while I was shadowing knowing that I was only shadowing. Ugh anyone else experience anything like this or heard

of this happening? I would be devastated if I didn't get the job cause I truly enjoyed the unit and the staff so much!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

On our unit, we ask nearly all candidates to shadow. The only ones who don't get asked are the glaringly unsuitable.

While this is probably not the answer you were looking for, consider it a good thing that you got past the first interview and are still in the running. Good luck!

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Is it bad that I didn't ask to stay longer? I tried to help as much as I could but they told me that I'm not allowed to do anything but observe.

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I GOT THE JOB!

Last week I decided to drop an Easter Basket off at the unit with a thank you card attached. The following morning I got a phone call offering me the job. On friday I went and signed the paperwork to make it official! Officially a new PCU nurse!

Happy easter all!!

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I GOT THE JOB!

Last week I decided to drop an Easter Basket off at the unit with a thank you card attached. The following morning I got a phone call offering me the job. On friday I went and signed the paperwork to make it official! Officially a new PCU nurse!

Happy easter all!!

Congratulations!

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