CNA Overlooked for Advancement

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I have been employed as a CNA in MedSurg for 8 years. When other departments have a job opening I apply but never get hired. It frustrates me very much. My evaluations have always been 5.0. I am overlooked to be a unit clerk, OB tech, ICU Tele Tech, Resource Tech. What can I do to advance in my field?

Dear Overlooked for Advancement,

This is puzzling with a 5.0 evaluation (assuming a 1-5 scale), together with the fact you've been there 8 years. Applying 4 times as an inside candidate without getting hired is either bad luck or some kind of message.

To advance you need to find out what's holding you back.

Interviewing skills? Are you making it to the interview stage? If so, something in your interview skills is holding you back.

Qualifications? What qualifications do the winning candidates have that you don't?

Are you considered co-operative to work with? Is there anything about your interpersonal skills that is giving a hiring manager pause?

Consider asking the last person you interviewed with if they would be so kind as to give you constructive feedback on your interview to help you. You can ask your own manager what would help you as a candidate.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!

[CanadianAbroad]

This also could be a case of a manager who is sabatoging you from leaving due to being a good worker. I have seen this done where I worked and it was sad for everyone involved.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I too would be suspicious that you are so good that they do not want to lose you in the role you currently fill. It happens. A good tech in med-surg is, frankly, worth their weight in gold and very, very hard to let go of.

[caliotter3]

If it grates on you that much, then consider leaving the employer altogether. It might be time for a change.

[karrikon]

That's what I was thinking...I have heard this all too often. If you are too good, they block you from leaving. Eventually, people get frustrated and just move on. I would go to HR.