Anyone else get rejected after an interview?

407RN · Jan 6, 2009

I feel your pain. I too was rejected by the first school I interviewed at. I put alot into the preparation for the interview including working at the facility the school is at, in the unit they prefer, for the past two years. I studied for the GRE in the program the college offerred. I had put so much into it, and wanted it so bad, that when the time came I thought I was a shoe in. I was nervous during the interview. They said that was normal. They mentioned my GPA, not so good during my ADN 12 yrs ago, and passed over the good stuff during my last 60 hrs for the BSN. We talked about my experiences a little; Paramedic, ER, ICU(CTVU, SICU, critical care float pool at a Level I trauma center), Flight Team. However, I got rejected.

Man was I mad, shocked at first, then mad. Luckily I had time to cool down before the next interiew. I'm not kidding, like night and day the two interviews were. I had taken information from the first interview and applied it to the second. I knew areas I was weak in during the first interview and made it work for me the second time. That is my advice to you. Use that bad experience to your advantage. Shake it off, get over it the best you can, which can be difficult, and go to the next one a better applicant. Look at your first interview as a dress rehersal for the second one. I got in to the second and am very glad it didn't workout at the first program.

Good luck on your next interview.

Icare4all · Jan 6, 2009

I had an interview at Penn and was rejected via email about 3 weeks later. I was so disappointed and was wondering if anyone else experienced rejections? I thought I was qualified ..... Graduated 10 years ago with my ADN and more recently completed my BSN online with University of Phoenix. I worked in Labor and Delivery, the CTICU and currently the PICU. All experience was gained in major teaching institutions where I work independently as well as with a team of residents. I have cared for some of the "sickest" patients from birth to mid twenties and feel comfortable caring for all types of patients .... HEM/ONC, transplant, trauma, neuro, cardiac, ECMO, CVVH, etc.... I work with patients requiring resuscitation of all types .... volume, drips, compressions etc... I have to admit I was very nervous at my interview and had a shaky voice throughout, yet I felt that my answers were good .....
I asked the admissions committee for an explanation and they said that I was rejected for two reasons. First, I expressed nervousness and second I had graduated from an online BSN program? I had a GPA of 3.86, although they told me they turned down many 4.0 GPA's. They suggested I improve my chances for next year by taking two graduate level courses?
I have one more interview at the end of the month and was looking for advice.
Thanks in advance

I am sorry to hear about your rejection. It is never an easy thing to accept. I applied to one school and got accepted. I was nervous during my interview, but I kept my posture and confidence. I know many people that graduated from an online BSN program, included me, and are accepted to CRNA schools. Your GPA and experience are much better than most of us. I would apply to other schools and work on your nervousness during interviews by practcing in front of a miror or friends. Taking graduate level classes can always help and never wasted, but I would not spend the money on them right now. You are a qualified candidate. Good luck.

OneTraumaRN · Jan 6, 2009

That is a terrible feeling. Sometimes there just isn't any rhyme or reason as to why certain people get selected. Do any of you mind sharing which schools you are speaking about?

putmetosleep · Jan 7, 2009

One thing that helped me tremendously with the shaky voice/physical response that comes with being very nervous was to have little beta-blockade on board. Seriously, it works. 10mg propranolol about an hour before the interview. Totally helps.

caliotter3 · Jan 7, 2009

Quite frankly I don't think taking two courses will improve your chances much. Decision makers often have pat answers to deflect the bad news. I think you would do better to work on your nervousness and how you present yourself, as this was the real reason they rejected you.

lovegasRN, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2009

I think to help with the nervousness you should practice what you will say, to at least the general questions you know you will probably be asked, over and over so that it just rolls off your tongue. Know it so well that you don't even have to think about it. Don't let the first rejection get you down and put a cloud over your second interview. You can't do anything to change how the first one went, so learn from it and go into your second even more confident than before. You got this!! Good luck!

nycpicurn · Jan 10, 2009

Thank you all so much for your responses. I honestly did not think my interview went poorly, but it was obvious

that my voice was shaking throughout. I did however have what I thought were good answers to all their questions, yet it was not enough. I will take it all as a learning experience and move on to interview number two. I know I have quite a bit to offer, yet so does everyone else.

Thanks for the encouragement.

may2kd · Jan 10, 2009

I got rejected once and denied interviews at 2 others. I was really upset at first, but then I knew I had to concentrate on my remaining ones. Everyone faces rejection, you just have to learn from them. I knew after the first one, that I was no where near prepared enough, so I rectified that. Of my remaining interviews I was put on the alternate list for one and got accepted into the second. By my 3rd interview, I wasn't nervous, we had good time, we all laughed together. I think nervousness definitely plays a part, because they want to see how you react to pressure...they know just how nerve-racking these interviews can be! Good luck with your second interview, I'm sure you'll nail it!

inland18mempire · Jan 26, 2009

I second the Beta-blocker suggestion. But I would recommend 20 mg. But of course ask your PCP and see if it's right for you. It will keep your voice from shaking. It will give you a "calm" feeling in general. It will keep your hands from shaking - they will be smooth and calm. On a side note, MANY performers/entertainers take propranolol prior to a performance. It elimiates/greatly reduces stage fright. You still feel nervous, but the physical signs of nervousness (trembling voice, shaky hands, etc) are eliminated.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 26, 2009

However, as most CRNA applicants are young and healthy, taking a beta-blocker can result in postural hypotension. Wouldn't be cool to pass out when you stand up at the end of the interview?

Nix the beta blocker unless you already take it.

putmetosleep · Jan 26, 2009

I second the Beta-blocker suggestion. But I would recommend 20 mg. But of course ask your PCP and see if it's right for you. It will keep your voice from shaking. It will give you a "calm" feeling in general. It will keep your hands from shaking - they will be smooth and calm. On a side note, MANY performers/entertainers take propranolol prior to a performance. It elimiates/greatly reduces stage fright. You still feel nervous, but the physical signs of nervousness (trembling voice, shaky hands, etc) are eliminated.

Thanks for the correction! I, too, meant to say 20mg, not 10mg. Works like a charm:)