A little background about me is that I have my BSN and graduated in Spring 2018. I have been working in a hospital bed surg unto for about 4 months and prior to that a specialty doctors office. My dream career is to be an L&D Nurse so I’m always applying with hopes that one day somewhere will give me the opportunity. I was shocked to get a call from a great hospital down the street from me last Wednesday and she asked me to come in for an interview the following day.
So I met with the hiring manager on Thursday and the interview went a little over half an hour she was on her lunch break. The interview was nice and flowed more like a conversation, she didn’t have set questions for me even though I prepared for the hard questions. We just talked about me and my experiences what I want to do and why I want to be a labor and delivery nurse. Then she talked about the job itself and what it entails and how orientation would be broken down week by week for me. I also prepared a lot of questions in terms of how the unit worked like if it was baby friendly,what’s the population they see in mainly and what computer systems they used and she seemed to be interested in by my questions and we went off of that for a while. She laid out a lot of information in terms of how the union works, scheduling, seniority, the preceptors etc. It ended with A tour of the unit then we went back to her office and she talked a little more to me and this is where I get a little confused.
So she told me that if I were to hear back the next people I would hear back from where HR regarding a tobacco test. That HR only calls Monday through Wednesday since you have to come in within a 48 hour period for the tobacco test since they are a tobacco free campus. Following that I would schedule my on boarding appointment. Then she told me she still has one more person to interview still for the position (which terrifies me since I have no L&D experience). And she also let me know that she is going on a vacation for a week and a half at the end of this week and won’t be back til early April, So for me to keep in mind that she will be away for a little. She also gave me her business card with her phone number and email in case it’s been some time going by and I haven’t heard anything so I can reach out and find out where they are at in the process. Later that night I sent an email thanking her for her time and just saying how much that unit impressed me and how I’d love to join the team.
And now I am just thinking over every little detail wondering if her saying that she had another candidate still to interview and her giving me her card saying if I haven’t heard back about the status I can reach out. I don’t know if I should make negative of those details. At the same time her saying that HR if they were to call call me on a Monday through Wednesday for a tobacco screening followed by on boarding seems like a lot of information if you’re no longer in the running. She was laughing and smiling the whole time and our rapport felt great but now I’m freaking myself out since it’s been 5 days.
How long does it usually take for take for an offer after interview? Does it sound reasonable that an offer may be delayed due to her vacation or am I just being hopeful?
I have had a lot of interviews and they just keep you on tenterhooks all the time, It's nerve wracking for sure. Try not to think about it or you'll drive yourself crazy. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes? You'll find out when you find out.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
You've been out of school less than a year and you're already applying for your third job? If you get this job, stay for at least a year. I know you think it's your dream job now, but it may not turn out to be all that. You should stay anyway, because you're developing the reputation for being a job hopper.
Also asked if it was baby friendly? As in telling them essentially your planning on having baby yourself in near future. Or at least that’s what it sounds like
This question is ok because the Baby Friendly initiative is a big time money source for hospitals that adopt it.It means rules etc are in place that facilitate the mother baby bond, it has NOTHING to do with her future childbearing.As a potential LD nurse she is wise to know and ask about this.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
4 hours ago, Leader25 said:
This question is ok because the Baby Friendly initiative is a big time money source for hospitals that adopt it.
It's actually quite the opposite. It takes a lot of time and money to get initial designation, and it takes a lot of time and money to maintain annual designation. And, hospitals who have Baby Friendly designation also have to pay market value for formula, rather than getting discounted or free formula from the pharm companies.
The reason why hospital administrators may choose to go for designation is for marketing purposes, to attract patients to their hospital over the one across town. But it definitely isn't a "big time money source".
I saw that the status of the position on the job website said I was not selected for the position so I decided to email her. She said the position was filled by another candidate but she would have another position available shortly and for me to reapply for it since applications can’t be transferred.
is this a good sign that she’s telling me she has another position that will be available and for me to reapply? Or am I most likely to not get this position?
I saw that the status of the position on the job website said I was not selected for the position so I decided to email her. She said the position was filled by another candidate but she would have another position available shortly and for me to reapply for it since applications can’t be transferred.
is this a good sign that she’s telling me she has another position that will be available and for me to reapply? Or am I most likely to not get this position?
Sorry you didn't get the position. However, apply if you want too but don't let recruiters play you like a fiddle. Please search elsewhere also and hope for the best. You will get a job soon when the time is right.
Nurse Beth, MSN
145 Articles; 4,526 Posts
Best wishes to you. Definitely sounds like you have a shot. Rooting for you! ?