Thought they loved me!

Nurses Job Hunt

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What a bummer! I went in my first hospital interview as an RN. I researched the hospital and everything.

I had had a list of questions to ask about the position, N:P, orientation, special precautions re cancer meds and even asked why they chose to call me. She seemed happy I had a lot of questions. The interview lasted almost three hours. I got a tour and introduced to about 15 nurses.

"they chose another candidate!"

wait what? :woot: We bonded! I thought she liked me. They didn't give me an explanation as to why I wasn't chosen. I wanted to vomit - legit felt like my heart was torn out. I didnt even think to ask "what went wrong? Did I talk too much? Did I act a certain way she didn't like? Did I ask too many questions? Should I have waited to interview #2 to ask most of those questions?" Ok I will go cry now! But I didn't cry.

I became angry at them for even calling me since I have ZERO nursing aide work experience. Was I just a guinea pig for them? Was I used just to say they interviewed a minority?

I thought for sure they were gonna offer me the job. I'm so crushed :(

"Was I used just to say they interviewed a minority?"

Really??? :banghead:

Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

I'm so sorry that you went through this. I hope that your next opportunity turns out as planned.

I can say from personal experience in my current facility, if a position is posted long enough, it gets kicked to the public to view. In other words, it is no longer an internal position after a certain length of time, it becomes available for external applicants.

That is not to say that internal applicants can no longer apply for the position. It MAY have been the case that you were up against an internal candidate that was dragging their heels and didn't apply for the position until it became an external position.

Watch their website and if any more positions post, try applying for them as well. Think of yourself as a salesperson going 'door to door'. YOU are the product that you are trying to sell. If a client shows interest, you keep trying for the sale, or, "hire" in this case.

Best of wishes in your journey. I hope you have a successful outcome.

amoLucia

7,736 Posts

Specializes in retired LTC.

You have some other posts here on AN and you report that you are a new RN with no nsg experience. You also are still in school for your BSN. My guess is that the hosp probably selected someone with experience and a BSN.

When all is said and done, it is still an employer's market. And they can select whomever they choose from a whole big pool of prospective applicants. Someone else most likely had the BSN and/or experience. It didn't matter that you and the interviewer had a good interview. Someone else presented better to them with preferred credentials. Besides, your interviewer may not have been the person(s) who make the final decision.

It is such a shame and then, a letdown, when applicants have what they believe to be a good interview only to be passed over. It hurts!!!

But that's a trap that so many get caught in. A good interview IS NOT an offer of employment. Perhaps, you may have been the second choice, but that doesn't help you feel any better now.

It has been said here before on AN that you may have to seriously look outside hospital employment, at least for the first job and until you get your BSN.

Good luck.

fridgelight

46 Posts

Since they seemed to like you might be a good candidate for another position there like ®Nurse said. Keep your head up and keep trying. How did you find out they went with someone else and what did they say exactly?

Flatlander

249 Posts

Dear FLboundBSN:

Every "no" you get brings you closer to "yes." Keep plugging. Be glad they liked you. That's definitely a plus and probably means you come off as pleasant and likeable. That will make the next interview easier and improve your chances, too. Do yourself a favor and trust the advice above. It's all a normal part of the process (lots of 'no's' until you get the 'yes' you want.) If feedback is available, you might try calling HR to see if they can give you a clue to improve your chances in the future. Keep applying to this employer and others, too. Eventually you'll find your niche. Good luck!

FLboundBSN

186 Posts

"Was I used just to say they interviewed a minority?"

Really??? :banghead:

Thanks, that helps.

FLboundBSN

186 Posts

Dear FLboundBSN:

If feedback is available, you might try calling HR to see if they can give you a clue to improve your chances in the future. Keep applying to this employer and others, too. Eventually you'll find your niche. Good luck!

I actually thought about calling HR on Monday and asking if it was something I did, said, or if I was not chosen due to the skills or degree that I did not have. Since you mentioned it, I think I will do just that! Thank you!

How did you find out they went with someone else and what did they say exactly?

They called and told me. All she said was that they went with another candidate. At the moment I was so stunned, all I could say was "ok!"

*************************

Thanks to all of you with the kind and helpful comments. They really did help!

flboundbsn

Whoa! From one minority nurse to another, please believe me when I tell you that kind of a chip on your shoulder will not help your career. I suggest you focus elsewhere.

That said, I don't think it would do any harm to ask why you were not hired, however the standard response is usually "we had candidates that were a better fit"- which from experience I know makes you feel even worse. If you do call, I suggest asking if there are any other RN positions in the facility that you may be qualified for.

I agree with one of the other posters here that it is probable that an internal candidate popped up and because they were internal they had to offer it to that person instead.

None of us get hired for every job we interview for, however you GOT AN INTERVIEW and that is something that most of us struggle with. That means something made you special, and that means you are going to get a job!

Anna S, RN

452 Posts

With the glut of nurses, employers can be very picky.

I have a job in a very undesirable area (prison). I have to start my shift at 0500. I walk 1/4 of a mile to and from my unit in the pitch dark, through rocks, mud, and broken chunks of concrete. We do not have any corrections officers with us when we care for the pts- we are alone with convicted killers.The job has no benefits, and I only get 30 hrs a week.

I graduated at the top of my class, with honors, and have tons of experience, but this is what I could get in the current job market.

I was surprised when the person who hired me told me tons of people had applied for the job.

This is how it is now.

FLboundBSN

186 Posts

flboundbsn

Whoa! From one minority nurse to another, please believe me when I tell you that kind of a chip on your shoulder will not help your career. I suggest you focus elsewhere.

That said, I don't think it would do any harm to ask why you were not hired, however the standard response is usually "we had candidates that were a better fit"- which from experience I know makes you feel even worse. If you do call, I suggest asking if there are any other RN positions in the facility that you may be qualified for.

I agree with one of the other posters here that it is probable that an internal candidate popped up and because they were internal they had to offer it to that person instead.

None of us get hired for every job we interview for, however you GOT AN INTERVIEW and that is something that most of us struggle with. That means something made you special, and that means you are going to get a job!

I certainly am very happy that I got an interview of course and I am sorry if I offended anyone about the minority comment. I do know that companies are required to interview different types of people to fulfill their quotas, that is the only reason why I said that.

I appreciate your kind remarks. Thank you!

I became angry at them for even calling me since I have ZERO nursing aide work experience. Was I just a guinea pig for them? Was I used just to say they interviewed a minority?

I thought for sure they were gonna offer me the job. I'm so crushed

My advice to you is both a nursing skill & a life skill: Learn to handle rejection better. Also, they did you a favor giving you an interview b/c it gave you experience interviewing, so there's a bright side to this story after all. Good luck...you will get a job!
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