Caution: No boundaries

[SunDazed, BSN, RN]

I left a job on good terms in the Summer of 2019. There were problems at the company, but others were more affected than I was. I just had a lot going on with my dad's failing health. I needed a different schedule and different patient population for which to provide care. After I left, I heard more rumors of loyal employees not being treated well. Those were rumors though. 

Things in life have settled out and I was considering going back to my old employer. I contacted HR and asked to discuss current openings. I was feeling out if it was worth applying. The conversation was positive and there was a new position I was interested in. There were multiple RN roles available, but only one that really seemed worth another job change at this time.

When it came time to set up the interview, I was told that I could not interview for just that one job, that I needed to name another job I would consider (in an area of more emergent need for the company). I reluctantly asked the difference between the other RN jobs and identified one that seemed the best fit for my current needs and interest.

I wrote down the wrong time for the interview. When I showed up late, we agreed to reschedule. I apologized. On rescheduling I was told "due to several moving pieces within the agency the positions you will be interviewing for are..." which did not include the job I had applied for. 

So the main job I was interested in was no longer available. They did not say it was filled, they just refused to fill that job with me while the other openings were having a larger impact on the organization. I thanked them, and withdrew my application asking them to contact me if the type of job I had applied for ever opened up in the future.

I had a sneaking suspicion before the first interview that they would only offer me a job other than one I had applied for. I had known them to do it in the past to other nurses, to get them in the door with the promise of changing job, hours, responsibilities in the future.  Is it any surprise turnover is high? 

The email reply to my application withdrawal was telling... 

I completely understand your feelings of [your first choice], however we also have a huge need in [the other areas]... We think you would be awesome! I strongly encourage you to come to the interview on Monday to speak with the two supervisors about the different positions and what they have to offer. Think of it as an informational meeting rather than an interview.

I feel like I have narrowly escaped a workplace bait and switch. Is this what the nursing shortage is going to do to getting hired? I am not desperate. I have a job that has more pros than cons, though I don't see myself doing it until I retire. I am 56. My current job also has a union to prevent administration from saying I am in a different job than what I agree to hire on as. 

I couldn't figure out how to respond. So I just didn't. I had already said thank you and call me if it changes. It doesn't matter what they think I could do to benefit them or which job they think I would be good at. There is a nursing shortage - for real this time. Employers are going to have to accept that what we are willing to give is what they get. 

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

That's not a scenario that would make me want to work for that company, either. Sounds like you dodged a potentially messy situation by accidentally writing the wrong interview time initially. Fortunately that worked out in your favor! Good luck if you go forward with another search.

[JKL33]

1 hour ago, SunDazed said:

Is this what the nursing shortage is going to do to getting hired?

Nope. It's what employers who treat people poorly have to do to get help in the door, along with their sign-on bonuses and their "residencies" and their contracts which make new grads pay back their orientation through work or cash. 

Anyway, kudos to you. I like the way you roll.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I strongly suspect the job you applied for never existed.  You were right.  Classic bait and switch.  If this is what they have to resort to to lure spplicants, you did dodge a bullet.

Don't even bother to reply to their stupid letter.