Hearing back from AHS

Fiona59 · Mar 10, 2016

Internal,applicants are treated the same way. A coworker found out six weeks after an interview that she was the successful candidate.

thistooshallpass · Mar 10, 2016

Six weeks even for an internal applicant! I see.

Honestly, I was half expecting replies to indicate something like, "a month is too long, you should let this one go" but your reply gives me a little bit of hope.

Thank you so much for the response! :)

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Mar 10, 2016

Six weeks is speedy compared to some of the experiences I've had as an internal applicant. I never did hear about some of the applications I submitted for units other then where I work. But strangely, I received a congratulations-on-your-new-position email from HR when I returned to my regular position after being in a temp. Weird.

thistooshallpass · Mar 11, 2016

Oh my, no word at all? At the very least I thought you would get a courtesy email telling you that another applicant has been selected; I think if I didn't hear anything back it would drive me a little crazy! Haha that is a little odd but congratulations on your regular position anyways! :)

Thank you for the reply! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer.

I suppose if it can take 6 weeks or more to hear a response I will have to be a little more patient. I already emailed the unit manager a week after the expected deadline in a follow up email asking if a decision has been made and, if so, if she would be willing to give me any feedback on how I could improve my interview skills. (I asked in the interview if I could and she said that it was alright and gave me her card). Unfortunately, I think she's quite busy and hasn't had the chance to reply yet. I was considering giving her a call soon but I think it might be best to wait a little longer.

Fiona59 · Mar 11, 2016

I've been interviewed and three months later got the letter telling me I was not chosen. Too true about the never hearing back.

on my unit, there are three, vacant, frozen positions. They were posted, interviews held, and nobody selected. Figure that one out, because we can't.

AHS is a mystery and appears to be a law unto itself

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2016

Same. I have received letters two-three months after applying with AHS. Positions tend to sit in limbo.

thistooshallpass · Mar 12, 2016

Three months later? That's crazy! Were those for acute care positions?

Ah, I see. A little unfortunate that they tend to sit in limbo since to "hurry up and wait" isn't a forte of mine. Still, I appreciate the responses Fiona and Joanna! Knowing that it could take three months for a response helps- now I can prepare to wait at least that long.

In the mean time I've been (and will continue to) applying to other positions :)

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2016

Positions are frozen, unfrozen and idle with AHS. That's been the norm for years, especially with the economy.

Continue to apply for positions in other Provinces as well, as relocation should at least be considered if you want to work sooner rather than later.

thistooshallpass · Mar 12, 2016

Ah I see. Yes, I can see how the economy would impact health care and employment availibility.

Relocation is something I've considered (especially after speaking with some American recruiters at a job fair) but (and I know this can sound terrible since I'm unemployed and not using all possible avenues to look for employment by not doing this) I'm reluctant to move right now. I know it might help me find work sooner rather than later but to uproot mine and my significant others' lives to move elsewhere any away from all our family and friends is my absolute last resort

I have another interview with AHS next week which gives me hope that I can find something here

In any case, thank you for the reply and advice Joanna! :)

Fiona59 · Mar 12, 2016

Yup, acute care. I work in one the largest hospitals in the province.

Two lines on on my unit have been reposted. One was originally posted in October and just left vacant. Staffing has sucked and we are exhausted. Either we work short or the same two people pick up part of the vacant lines as OT.

thistooshallpass · Mar 12, 2016

Oh wow, that's terrible! I'm so sorry I know when I was preceptoring as a student my unit would sometimes only have one RN for the entire night shift (when there should be at least two) and that could be hard... So I can only imagine how difficult and how bad the burnout is on your unit! Does your unit call in a lot of casual staff to help?