My interview at a Hospital with the lions

[garn12]

I had an interview at a Hospital this morning in Ga for one of their ICU units. Basically the interview went horrible and I was ripped to shreds from the moment they walked in through the door. I was interviewed by two nurses and the director. I went to shake their hand one of the RNs did not even extend to shake my hand upon greeting. The entire interview process made me feel horrible.

My background: I graduated from nursing school with my BSN July 2012. I was an extern (float nurse's aide) from December 2010-last October 2012. I have one year experience as an RN on a med surg ortho/spine surgical unit in a level two trauma hospital. I am chair of shared governance on my floor, and I have also charged quite a few times on my unit.

They told me verbatim that "I have no experience". They implied to me that if I get a job here I need to know how to access a patient which offended me because I felt like they were basically telling me I don't know how to assess a patient which is something all nurses do. They asked me if I had any experience with central lines and foleys. They laughed in my face when I told them my hospital I currently work at has an IV team.

At times I would answer questions they cut me off and even re asked the same question which led me to believe that they were not interested to begin with. I would have personally preferred to receive an automated rejection response from HR than to sit in an interview for 30 minutes and be hazed and asked do I know what I'm getting myself into by coming to work here.

The hospital looked nice on the inside and I really feel bad because I want to learn and grow as a nurse and this is the best hospital to be at. However, I felt degraded and as though I haven't accomplished anything at all. The unit director asked me what was our patient satisfaction scores on the unit I work for. I actually don't know that answer but I know it is accessible to the public if she was curious. I thought the interview was about me not the unit I work for???

The unit director then left in the middle of the interview and let the other two nurses finish. Where is nursing going these days? Why are people so rude? If I met the qualifications for applying for the job and I was offered the interview why was it necessary to bring me in to humiliate me?

[MochaRN424, ASN]

They called you in for an interview why? I will never understand this...if they didn't like what they saw on your resume why even bother to waste your or their time. I agree with the few comments I have read...Yes Thank God they showed their true selves. I think you dodged a bullet there.

[MommyandRN]

I actually got up and left an interview like that. My interview with the manager went well. But then I was sat down for a peer interview with three RNs. One of them was nice, but the other two were horrible. I got up and said I needed to go after about 30 minutes of it. There are plenty of other jobs.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I had an interview a few months ago very very similar to yours. Felt that I was treated unfairly and all they did was belittle my previous experience. However I had to turn around and look at it at a different light. What was it they didn't like about me that I could learn from? A previous poster; KenH has many valid points. I took that interview as a learning experience. Only way you can deal with it now is move forward. Granted most facilities I have interviewed at have been professional and that was the only place where I felt like they wanted to kick me out the moment I sat down!!! 2 weeks later I went on an amazing interview that landed me my full time position at a pretty prestigious hospital :) the confidence you can (standing up for yourself) will help you in your next interview! Good luck! Keep your was up!!!!

Agree.

OP, they were doing you a favor...I hope you will take KenH's perspective, get more experience, and find that fit for Critical Care...it's certainly not for the fainthearted, or easily offended...It takes assertiveness and stoicism and quick thinking to be comfortable to BECOME an ICU nurse.

I also agree with the other poster on their interviewing style...you caved into the pressure that comes with ICU...a but unorthodox and strange IMHO, however, I had a CC interview, and I would've appreciated that style...would've helped with the learning curve, but that's just me.

Best wishes on finding that fit...I suggest getting more opportunities and continuing to expand yourself as a new nurse.

[SpEdtacular, MSN, RN, EMT-P]

OP I've been there, I once had an interview and after showing up 10-15 minutes late the manager took me upstairs to her office and proceeded to eat her lunch in front of me during the interview. At another interview things seemed to go well with the manager so she decided to arrange an impromptu peer interview. It was immediately obvious that the nurses were annoyed and had no interest in being there and it showed. I think peer interviews are a great idea but interviewing is a learned skill and not for everyone.

There's no excuse for rudeness and if they immediately got the impression you weren't the right candidate they should have told you so and not wasted your time. It's not that hard to say "We appreciate you coming here today but unfortunately you don't have the experience level we need and you wouldn't be a good fit. Thank you for coming in today and good luck with your search" You can be honest without being an *******; it's called tact.T

[FineAgain]

There's no excuse for rudeness and if they immediately got the impression you weren't the right candidate they should have told you so and not wasted your time. It's not that hard to say "We appreciate you coming here today but unfortunately you don't have the experience level we need and you wouldn't be a good fit. Thank you for coming in today and good luck with your search" You can be honest without being an *******; it's called tact.

WORD.

[nursingtenderfeeling]

hello there, I want to say that I have perused this site almost like a stalker reading all the posts and helpful information but never actually signing up or posting anything. I had to just for this post alone, I am very sorry that you had to endure such rude and unnecessary behavior. I have only been a nurse for 4 years, but I have watched and been on the receiving end of some of the worst behavior by other nurses. Now some may balk and say oh youre too sensitive and if you cant handle the heat get out of the kitchen but its not flying anymore. There is absolutely no need to treat other nurses this way, and your "posture" had nothing to do with the one nurse not extending their hand to you, it is a way to demean and totally humiliate you. I have read so many posts about the state of nurses "eating their young" and yes it still happens, we all know this, but it doesnt have to be this way, what are other nurses scared of? Someone taking their jobs, becoming obsolete in their field, it seems that its a right of passage, I was treated that way so now its my turn to return the favor. Well its a load of crap, so go ahead say that well I would rather be treated by someone who has the skills to save my life then pump butterflies and rainbows up my orifice, well why cant you have both? Is it necessary to treat other nurses like crap in order for you to be a good nurse? No of course not, its time we all start standing up for each other and not tolerating such behavior, we arent born knowing how to do central lines, blood draws, foleys, etc, however we are born with the ability to have human compassion, kindness, and tolerance for each other whatever stage of the nursing game you are in. Obviously not all are born with these traits however, or I wouldnt be having this temper tantrum right now.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

They called you in for an interview why? I will never understand this...if they didn't like what they saw on your resume why even bother to waste your or their time. I agree with the few comments I have read...Yes Thank God they showed their true selves. I think you dodged a bullet there.

That was my thought. If they had zero expectations from the OP, then why bother with the interview?

[jalyc RN]

I'm sorry that you feel bad, but YOU failed the interview, YOU need to learn from it so you don't make the same mistakes on your next interview. They took the time to interview you; I bet there were lots of others that didn't make to the interview process.

Nobody can make you feel anything, it's your choice.

YOU ARE A NURSE! WHO WANTS TO WORK IN THE ICU?

You were OFFENDED, O my lions, tigers and bears, you were applying to work in a ICU unit and you told them you didn't have experience with starting IV's, because your hospital you currently work at has an IV team. What did you expect them to say, O that's ok because you can ask someone else to do your work for you?

ARE YOU ON THE IV TEAM? & why not.

There was this medsurg nurse that made it into the ICU. One day she said out loud, that she was getting a patient from the floor and was worried because they needed a Foley and she hadn't done one in a long time. How long do you think they lasted?

THEY TRIED TO HELP YOU, but you didn't notice because you were TOO offended.

You were applying to work in the ICU, What you learned in that 30 minutes that will help you grow into an ICU NURSE.

You really said you didn't know, REALLY! Seriously?

Patient satisfaction and employee satisfaction go hand in hand. Patient satisfaction scores ARE really important otherwise the director would not have asked you!

Because at least on PAPER you have the qualifications for applying for the job.

PLEASE, I'm not trying to be mean or hurtful , you have accomplished a lot, But you need to learn from this interview so you don't make the same mistakes on your next interview.

BEST RESPONSE ON HERE.

Kids today are so full of the participation themes, rather than the accomplishment factors it is seriously deteriorating all factors of life. You strike me as a person who wants to pretend to be an adult, but is a child who wants her hand held and her head patted just for existing.

Grow up, learn ALL the skills you can, and be assertive.

I wanted to be a critical care nurse and I requested my independent study (last week of school) to be with the IV team. I was told,"No, that is not necessary as we have IV teams for that." My argument that IV Team was 7-3 M-F while I would be working 7p-7a and weekends won me the privilege of learning to start IV's from a pro.

I worked 10 years in various CCU, then went on to be a supervisor for another 10 years, and finally the highest paid MDSC in my region on just an Associate degree BECAUSE I learned from mistakes, took extra classes , and wanted to be more than I thought I could be.

Change YOUR attitude and maybe the next time you will get the job.

[jalyc RN]

That was my thought. If they had zero expectations from the OP, then why bother with the interview?

People can type a lot of BS and when you talk with them you find out they have no clue. A resume is not the person, which is why they have interviews and probationary periods.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

This. is. NOT. the. best. hospital. to. be. at. to. learn. to. grow.

What looks like nice on the outside, is not always the case on the inside.

Lesson learned.

However, I would object to the rudeness and unprofessionalism in general. The manager getting up and leaving halfway through the interview?!?!?!?! Are you serious???? Honestly, the only thing I can think of is that you would be on orientation, and this same manager on day--say 12--would say "OK then, you suck, you are fired". No thanks.

The strengths that you have as a nurse are not what they are looking for. They COULD have said that. Within 5 minutes or so. The minute that you said that you did not have IV experience (or whatever soup-de-jour they wanted in a team member) they could have said right then and there, sorry for having you come in, we are looking for 3-5 years experience, or looking for a nurse with stronger clinical skills....

Or perhaps they need to A) Really read someone's resume or B) Do a phone interview first to see what skills you possess, then move onto an onsite interview if you meet those needs.

I would grow where you are. Sounds like you are a respected member of the team, and who knows where this will take you. Plenty of time for growing in another direction--

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

My suggestion.....see if there is an IV certification course in your area.....take it. It's marketable skill especially in these tough times when many hospitals have disposed of these "luxuries". Many critical care areas....even with IV teams....start their own lines.

These nurses presented themselves in a negative light and so did the director. Manners Matter.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

PS You should have replied "why no...what is a foley anyway? I've heard of them and always wondered".

PPSS: And when asked if you knew what your patient satsifaction scores were, you should have replied "Why I am not sure. What are yours?"

Chin up.