I missed a muy importante interview!! Now what?! I need advice!

Nurses Job Hunt

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  1. Have you ever got a job after missing the initial interview?

    • 0
      Heck yes! I'm THAT good.
    • 1
      Ummm...no. I blew it.
    • 0
      I had an interview?
    • 0
      I stalked the employer, and got the job!
    • 0
      They will not return my calls or emails. FML.

1 member has participated

Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC, Home Health, Hospice.

Hey girls!

Got a question for you seasoned veterans.... I have been a nurse for 3 years, with all experience being in geriatrics via LTC facility, home health and hospice. My heart needs a break. Learning first hand about emotional fatigue...definitely tired of crying at work everyday as I watch another hospice baby slip away.

So. I've applied at a brand new 100 bed acute care center in Dallas. This is THE hospital of all hospitals...built from the patient's perspective with private rooms, a master chef preparing gourmet meals for the facility and free valet for everyone! I am excited about the cardiac focus of the facility and the opportunity to use state of the art equipment that charts patient vitals and other digital assessment information for me so I can love on my patients more!

I wrote a cover letter outlining my experience with the elderly and professed that what I lack in facility "skills" I more than make up for with compassion, true concern for my patients and their families, and patient advocacy. I waited and waited for a response to my application, and finally...I got a call from the Director of the ER/ICU. She wanted to interview me for a FT night position in the ER!! She stated that I made an impression on her, and was more than willing to mentor me in the trauma department during the soft open and JCAHO certification. She also made it a point to mention how coveted the various positions are...3000+ RNs had been interviewed, and only 180 had been hired!! I was beyond excited after our 25 minute phone call and looked forward to our interview/meeting the following week. However, on the day of the interview, I was stuck at a patient's home...bedside, with a grieving family and a patient that was actively dying. And. While it killed me on the inside to miss the interview...I simply could not leave that sweet family during this tragic and confusing time. I called the Director and left a message explaining the situation and begged for another chance to meet with her. I asked her to call me back with another time, if possible. It's been two weeks and she has not returned my call. My question to you guys with hospital experience.... Should I go to the facility and pop in so she has a face with the name and request another time to interview? Should I call? Should I email? Or, should I just accept that I possibly missed the opportunity of a lifetime at this amazing facility??

What would you do??? Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!! Also...if you want to throw out some interview tips for this ER position...they are also welcome!! I simply MUST work at this hospital. I cant explain it... I can't shake it... I feel like it is where I am supposed to be! HELP!!! Please!!!

Thanks so much!!

Brandy :)

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I wouldn't just pop in on her because that might not sit well. Could you go to the unit and drop off a note with your explanation , along with your resume/cover letter? It couldn't hurt at this point. You don't get if you don't ask. What you did showed true compassion. That is a trait that should always be a the core of nursing. I had a different situation first day at a brand new job and my favorite young patient of all time (Oncology) died on the unit I had just left. His Mom was there alone, didn't know any of the staff there, because they had not been there in a while. Dad was on the way and did not know. Got a call at my new job. Wanted desperately to leave and be with the mother. I didn't ask to leave because it was my first day. The nurse orienting me, who was leaving for a new job the very next day told me to go be with that Mom. I would not trade that experience for anything in the world. Trade off, those few hours of orientation were all I received. I had to fly solo in a free standing clinic the next day. Yikes. Steep learning curve. It was worth it. You put good into this world, you will get it back. Let that manager know how much you want this position, ask for another chance to interview. It can't hurt. Sending positive thoughts your way, good luck!

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

I would send her a letter, apologizing for the missed interview (did you call her as soon as you knew you had a patient emergency?). In the letter, you can go unto greater detail than you could in a phone message, outlining your dedication, and that what the family needed at that moment could not be delegated to another clinician. Send it certified, by messenger, whatever to get it there in her hands ASAP

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I agree with the prior two posters. Write a letter apologizing and explain what had happened and why you couldn't leave to make the interview. Get it to her immediately.

Then there's nothing else you can do but wait and see. Yes, you did miss the interview, but you have a very good reason for doing so. Now whether SHE agrees that it was a good reason is up to her to decide and is something that you really can't control.

You called at least once and (will) have sent a letter. Keep in mind that hounding her with repeated calls/e-mails/drop-in visits will not put you in a good light.

For the future, don't schedule interviews on the same day that you are working if at all possible. If you have to, put as much time between work and the interview as you can. Because as you've seen, there's always the real risk that you will not make it out of work on time.

Good luck.

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