Already feel like giving up

DowntheRiver · Feb 22, 2019

Walk us through the interview and then we may be able to provide more insight!

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Feb 22, 2019

I have a feeling it is the way you are interviewing, especially because you are an internal applicant.

Get a friend that does hiring where they work to "interview" you and see how you do.

When I worked the floor, I sat in on several group interviews and was very shocked at how some people are during an interview.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 22, 2019

Another possibility ... Are you sure there isn't something in your personnel file that is making it difficult for you to transfer to another position within the same employer? When you transfer within the same hospital, there usually comes a point in the process where the hiring manager gets to review your personnel file. That file contains more information that what would normally be available to someone hiring you from different institution. Are they seeing something in that file that is "turning them off?"

Have you reviewed your complete personnel file? That might be worth doing. Do you have a history of being late for work? or committing errors? Are there things that might not have seemed like a big deal at the time, that are raising red flags when viewed in writing by the hiring manager.

Just a thought ...

beekee · Feb 22, 2019

Practice, practice, practice! Apply EVERYWHERE....interviewing takes practice, so get more interviews. As an added bonus, you will get to learn about places you might not have considered before. Definitely practice with friends and make an appointment with your career services at school. Reach out to those who have interviewed you, tell them that you really wanted the position and ask how you could have done better in the interview and how you can become a stronger candidate in the future. It WILL happen.

Toaster2k18 · Feb 22, 2019

Thanks for the reply guys.

it’s a panel interview, consisting of educator, team leader, hiring manager and HR. They ask interpersonal questions followed by clinical questions.

I have not been in interviews that have more than two people in the room and I get so nervous. I have noticed myself that during the interview i get so nervous that i stutter and mix up words and I just dont know how i can be relaxed at the interview.

I don’t know how specific I have to be in my answers, especially clinical questions ( for example: pt has shortness of breath, what would the vital signs be? I would answer like increased HR and increased respiratory rate).

Toaster2k18 · Feb 22, 2019

21 minutes ago, Jory said:
I have a feeling it is the way you are interviewing, especially because you are an internal applicant.
Get a friend that does hiring where they work to "interview" you and see how you do.
When I worked the floor, I sat in on several group interviews and was very shocked at how some people are during an interview.

Are you saying that the interviewer has higher expectation from me since i am an internal applicant?

Toaster2k18 · Feb 22, 2019

15 minutes ago, llg said:
Another possibility ... Are you sure there isn't something in your personnel file that is making it difficult for you to transfer to another position within the same employer? When you transfer within the same hospital, there usually comes a point in the process where the hiring manager gets to review your personnel file. That file contains more information that what would normally be available to someone hiring you from different institution. Are they seeing something in that file that is "turning them off?"
Have you reviewed your complete personnel file? That might be worth doing. Do you have a history of being late for work? or committing errors? Are there things that might not have seemed like a big deal at the time, that are raising red flags when viewed in writing by the hiring manager.
Just a thought ...

No llg, I am pretty sure those are not the reasons as i have a good attendance record etc..

2Ask · Feb 22, 2019

For interview anxiety

and try deep breathing to activate your vagus nerve https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4386/A-Simple-Breathing-Exercise-to-Calm-Your-Mind-Body.html

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2019

WAAAAY too soon to give up.

Can you get a job at a seasonal influenza vaccine clinic while you're awaiting your real job?

What you're experiencing is real. In most places there is no "nursing shortage." In rural areas, there is one and it's real. Can you relocate to where there is a nursing shortage?

HomeBound · Feb 22, 2019

Yes, way too soon to give up. There simply may be more experienced nurses applying for the job. Unfortunately, in this business, internal applicants don't always get the job just because. If I, coming in with 20 years of ICU, apply to the job you, New Grad with no experience, wants? They'll most likely choose me.

I agree you need to work on anxiety issues. Practice with your family members or other nurses/friends. Get a list of questions for "interpersonal questions". You don't have a lot of stories, like when they ask you about a time when you had a conflict with a coworker or an irate family member of a patient....so you need to find stories from when you were a student, and customize them for the question being asked.

I do believe that the common lag between school and first job is 3-6 months. I know residencies take months to navigate just thru the application and interview process. You are an employee, correct---but you have to consider who you are up against for that position from the outside (or even co workers).

This may be as simple as, we have an applicant that doesn't need to be trained.

Try to stand out with your answers. Recall all of the crazy stories you had from your clinical days and tailor them to these standardized "so tell me about a time...." questions.

You'll get there. If you don't get something in your own facility within a reasonable amount of time, perhaps going to another facility---explaining to HR at your facility that you would "love to stay" but you cannot continue to wait--and maybe that will spark someone to consider training you in a unit.

Toaster2k18 · Feb 23, 2019

2 hours ago, HomeBound said:
Yes, way too soon to give up. There simply may be more experienced nurses applying for the job. Unfortunately, in this business, internal applicants don't always get the job just because. If I, coming in with 20 years of ICU, apply to the job you, New Grad with no experience, wants? They'll most likely choose me.
I agree you need to work on anxiety issues. Practice with your family members or other nurses/friends. Get a list of questions for "interpersonal questions". You don't have a lot of stories, like when they ask you about a time when you had a conflict with a coworker or an irate family member of a patient....so you need to find stories from when you were a student, and customize them for the question being asked.
I do believe that the common lag between school and first job is 3-6 months. I know residencies take months to navigate just thru the application and interview process. You are an employee, correct---but you have to consider who you are up against for that position from the outside (or even co workers).
This may be as simple as, we have an applicant that doesn't need to be trained.
Try to stand out with your answers. Recall all of the crazy stories you had from your clinical days and tailor them to these standardized "so tell me about a time...." questions.
You'll get there. If you don't get something in your own facility within a reasonable amount of time, perhaps going to another facility---explaining to HR at your facility that you would "love to stay" but you cannot continue to wait--and maybe that will spark someone to consider training you in a unit.

I am definitely creating a word document regarding interview questions etc. I have already started applying elsewhere.

I can't believe how difficult interviews are and landing a job. Looking back, I am just thinking what I have been through to get to this point. From getting an admission to nursing school, struggling to pass some courses I struggled and once I was done school, I had to worry about passing the exam to get my license. Now, I am struggling on interviews and landing a job.