Bypass the recruiter? Advice please!!

[MsPebbles]

I was hoping I could get some advice about my frustrating attempts at getting past a recruiter. I am truly beginning to feel defeated...I mean, if I can't even get in as a PCT (fully qualified per the job ad), then how will I ever get a job as an RN??

A well-respected 30+ year RN at a hospital I have been dying to get into has personally recommended me for a PCT position and even contacted the recruiter on my behalf. This was back in October. Soon after, this recruiter called me in and I was over the moon thinking I finally had an opportunity to interview. Wrong! She only told me that I needed to complete Fundamentals and one clinical rotation before being considered. She gave me her direct # and email and asked me to contact her once those minimum criteria have been met.

Fast forward a couple months...I am now in Med-Surg and, according to recruiter, should be now qualified to apply for a PCT position. Two emails and two calls later, no response. I didn't want to annoy her, so these attempts were spaced out over a period of one month. I finally reached out to the RN who recommended me and she reiterated how valuable she thinks I'd be and that she will personally attempt to reach the recruiter. Again, recruiter calls me (after over a month of attempts) and NOW she tells me that the hospital has changed their hiring policy to that of an Affirmative Action (hasn't it always been that way??), which all but eliminates attempts by people to get in via internal referrals. Really?? Then why is it still an option on their marketing drop-down list?

She continues to tell me that although I meet the minimum requirements spelled out in the job posting, hiring managers will have additional criteria that must be met and I will most likely never meet those as a student. Aren't PCTs mostly comprised of students? I mean, most I meet during clinical are students. Also, she said that although she previously told me I needed to only complete Fundamentals, now she says she prefers that Med-Surg also be completed as well (the job postings state only Fundamentals).

Honestly, I am so frustrated and feel like I am getting the run around by a recruiter who does not like me for some reason. I did not ask for the recommendation...the RN did it out of kindness. And to make things even worse, this recruiter has contacted several classmates of mine and they have gotten interviews (none have healthcare experience). Yet I somehow don't qualify?

At this point, would it be inappropriate for me to bypass her completely and walk right into a unit with resume in hand? I am feeling like I have no other options. I know some might say to just move on and apply at other facilities, however, this is the one hospital system that I've been dying to get into for as long as I can remember. I would hate to give up because of one person, who in my opinion, is not being truthful with me. I'm sorry this is so long, but I would sincerely appreciate any advice I can get!

[loriangel14, RN]

You have to remember that most people have a boss that they have to answer to, including recruiters. I see no reason to not believe her when she says the requirements have changed. It's quite likely out of her hands and something she can't control.Maybe there are other factors you aren't aware of. Trying to go around the recruiter may backfire.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Ask your RN friend if she is able to deliver your resume & cover letter to the manager

[HisKids37]

What about volunteering in the unit to help get your foot in the door?

[llg, PhD, RN]

Actually, your description of the Recruiter's statements make sense to me. I know lots of units that don't like hiring students for PCT roles because students have a lot of scheduling conflicts -- and they often don't stay long enough to be worth the investment of orientation. They prefer to hire people who can be flexible with their schedules and who will stay in the job for several years.

It used to be that PCT's were viewed as potential RN hires at graduation. But when the job market changed a few years ago and we have more new grad applicants than we can hire ... we don't need to recruit RN's that way any more. And it becomes downright painful for everyone when we the PCT is not the best candidate for that new grad job. The PCT has made friends on the unit and has counted on getting that job. When we find a better student to hire, the PCT and her friends get upset and sometimes take it out on the new grad hired. It's messy and painful. Managers who have experienced that don't want to go through it if they don't have to.

That also may explain why already having a friend on the unit is hurting your application more than helping it. The manager may not want to bring in the friend of a current staff member who might be the source of tension down the road.

[MsPebbles]

Actually, your description of the Recruiter's statements make sense to me. I know lots of units that don't like hiring students for PCT roles because students have a lot of scheduling conflicts -- and they often don't stay long enough to be worth the investment of orientation. They prefer to hire people who can be flexible with their schedules and who will stay in the job for several years.

It used to be that PCT's were viewed as potential RN hires at graduation. But when the job market changed a few years ago and we have more new grad applicants than we can hire ... we don't need to recruit RN's that way any more. And it becomes downright painful for everyone when we the PCT is not the best candidate for that new grad job. The PCT has made friends on the unit and has counted on getting that job. When we find a better student to hire, the PCT and her friends get upset and sometimes take it out on the new grad hired. It's messy and painful. Managers who have experienced that don't want to go through it if they don't have to.

That also may explain why already having a friend on the unit is hurting your application more than helping it. The manager may not want to bring in the friend of a current staff member who might be the source of tension down the road.

The RN friend is actually not on any of the units I applied to. She works for this hospital but at another facility.

What you said makes sense about not wanting to hire students as PCTs anymore, and I would certainly accept that as a reason if fellow classmates haven't been getting calls for interviews from this very recruiter. That's the part that I don't understand.

I guess I should move on and look elsewhere, but these past few months of false hope have really done a number on me. I was so excited at finally getting my "foot in the door" at the hospital of my dreams.

As for volunteering...I haven't considered this as I had been hopeful for a paid position, but I'll start looking into those opportunities.

Thank you for your replies and suggestions.

[llg, PhD, RN]

What you said makes sense about not wanting to hire students as PCTs anymore, and I would certainly accept that as a reason if fellow classmates haven't been getting calls for interviews from this very recruiter. That's the part that I don't understand.

Maybe its just the hiring manager of the unit(s) you are interested. Maybe other managers on other units feel differently. Also, maybe there is something else about your application that is turning managers (or the Recruiter) off. Or maybe your friend has a bad reputation and her recommendation is hurting more than helping.

There could be lots of reasons you have not been successful. But it certainly sounds as if you should be pursuing other opportunities at this point.