Did I just made a mistake by declining an interview?

LittleLiz8235 · Jun 26, 2012

I applied to the Med Surg unit at a local hospital. Last week, a recruiter called me and asked me to an interview. I was sooo excited at first, until I asked her who will be at the interview she told me it was the DON of postpartum/L&D unit. She said it was for post-partum & L&D new grad position. Now I learned, apparently new grad. application gets circulated in the hospital! ha.. I told her I'm not interested in women's health. and declined the interview. Today, the head recruiter called (turned out last week was recruiter's assistant), basically just to confirm that I was offered an interview but declined? I again explained to him, I am not interested in post-partum/L&D unit. I asked if there are interviews going on for med surg or other units? He said maybe if selected next week they'll start calling.. I don't know, I just felt bad -- should I have gone to the interview? even tho I have absolute no interest in OB (don't feel comfortable too)?? I am afraid I won't even get a call back from med-surg now. It's my first time getting a call back! sigh.. I don't understand why the recruiter called twice and even just to confirm that I declined an interview? was it bad? is it a no-no in job hunting?

I would've just taken the interview. You could have always said no later. and yes, your name is probably crossed off The list for that hospital. I think that if I were a recruiter it would leave a bad taste in my mouth because I would see you as inflexible, picky, and unwilling to step out of your comfort zone.

miniangel729 · Jun 26, 2012

I was thinking - if I knew I was going to say no, why bother waste both of our time? I'd be faking, and I think they can tell. I did told the recruiter, I'm interested in all units except women's health. oh well.. lesson learned. Can't do much right now.. Guess it's just not the hospital for me. thanks for the reply!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2012

I'd get my foot in the door...get expereince and then move on later.

sauconyrunner · Jun 26, 2012

You never know. But I would have taken the interview in a heartbeat- especially if you don't have other offers. I mean what do you have to lose? Of course if you would rather be unemployed that work in women's health, then there is that.

An interview is not just with the manager, but also with the Recruiter...thus if you make a good impression on the recruiter, and for whatever reason you are not offerred the job, they may keep you in mind for future jobs.

The recruiter called twice, because very few people who are job hunting decline interviews, and since you are a new Grad, they probably wanted to be sure you understood that you were declining an interview. They may still call you, it's really hard to say, but I wouldn't be counting on it.

miniangel729 · Jun 26, 2012

ya.. I thought about that too... but too late now =( I think call the recruiter back request for the interview would make me look even worse at the moment.. right? anyway, on the bright side, now I won't make the mistake again!

Tina, RN · Jun 26, 2012

Well, you never know... I don't think it makes you "look bad", per se, to turn down the interview. You were honest about the type of position you are looking for. The recruiter should respect that, at the very least. OB is *very* different than med/surg. There is not much variety in those patients. Now, if they offered an interview on an ortho or tele unit and you declined, I'd say you are nuts! LOL

If I were you, I'd send a note to the recruiter and also maybe the assistant (I'm not sure whether hand-written or email? Maybe others can weigh in on it). I'd thank them for offering the OB interview, and again state that you'd love to have an opportunity to interview on a floor that provides a wide variety of patients. Emphasize that as a new grad, you want to build the strongest possible nursing foundation. I think it's worth a try, anyway.

Best wishes!

SoundRN7 · Jun 26, 2012

I understand what the other posters are saying, especially since I am an unemployed new nurse. Personally, I would jump incredibly high for the opportunity to interview in L&D (or most any area), but that's just me. Though, if you have no desire at all to work in women's health then I don't begrudge you for declining the interview. There will be other interviews, though they will likely be far and few between.

bjflymed · Jun 26, 2012

I would always do the interview, even if I am going to say no to the job, because interviews can be stressful and the more you do the more comfitable you are

rs02011988 · Jun 26, 2012

I would have done the interview if only for the practice! Interviews can be scary and it would have been nice to practice your answers to those tough questions. Once I went to an interview (as a new grad) and the job turned out to be for a RN position in which I would be calling insurance companies and working behind the scenes--not doing patient care. The interviewer told me right of the bat that she didn't want to hire me because she didn't think it would be a good job for a new grad and that I would lose a lot of skills, but she offered to interview me anyway just to practice. It was actually really helpful!

caliotter3 · Jun 26, 2012

I would have taken the interview with the thought in mind that I might not get another chance in the foreseeable future.

Sparrowhawk · Jun 26, 2012

As a new grad, never say no to an interview, and especially do not say you're only intrested in a certain field....doesnt fly so well with managers. Good luck in the future tho.