Do you agree this was unethical?

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I am a new graduate and I've been relentlessly hunting for a job since I got my license two months ago. Recently, a fellow graduate who I remained friends with throughout school called me to excitedly announce that she got a job. It was at a hospital that I've been trying desperately to get into, talking to everyone I could and leaving messages with recruiters, nurse managers, and HR people. I was genuinely very happy for her and took her out for a few drinks to celebrate. I asked her how she landed an interview and who she talked to, and she said she literally just put on her interview attire, gathered her portfolio and walked into HR like she had an appointment. She said she told the front desk person that she was scheduled for an interview but she couldn't remember the name of the person who called her in (which she was not), and after a few minutes of trying to figure out who called her, the lady just sent her in to interview with the recruiterss thinking that they call so many people that they misplaced an appointment or something. Apparently the interview went well and she was offered a job two days later.

I was kinda at a loss for words for a second because my brain couldn't decide if that was deceptively smart or really unethical. I just smiled and told her congrats again because I didn't wanna seem like I was being negative because I was jealous or anything. Im happy for her that she got a job, but I'm really annoyed that she cut the corners and lied, whereas I've been nothing but honest and I haven't even gotten someone to give me the time of day. What do you guys think?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I can see why you feel that way and would definitely feel the same however it did take some moxie and I have to admire that on some level.

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I absolutely agree. That's why I'm torn. On one hand, that was really bold and she definitely got what she wanted out of it. But on the other hand I feel like lying like that was very wrong and could come back to bite her if anyone ever found out.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I don't think it's unethical at all. I think it's smart and savvy and I think you should do the exact same thing. Don't waste a moment indulging negative feelings about this and learn from her success. Good luck!

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Specializes in ORTHO, PCU, ED.

That's clever for sure. But I'm like you I don't think I personally would do that.

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I suppose you guys are right, when I think about it a little more. Its a cut throat market for us newbies out there and she found an opening and took it. I can't do it at the same hospital though, lol. They might get a bit suspicious. I don't think I could do it anyway. I'm a bad liar.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

Wish I had that kind of guts.....

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I think it indicates her character and that doing what she did means she could do other questionable things too. It's a slippery slope...

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I think it indicates her character and that doing what she did means she could do other questionable things too. It's a slippery slope...

This. I would be concerned that lying came so easily to her and that she was proud of the fact that she benefited from lying. Gutsy? Sure. Right? Nope.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

No-one ever won me over with the old "slippery slope"argument......There is nothing there in the OP's post to indicate this person had a history of cheating in our outside of nursing school.I see no evidence that she will "slip down that slope" into falsifying vital signs,signing off meds she did not give,etc.I think she is pretty savvy.......If the OP had told she was not a very good person I would worry about her future patients.I think she is the Kelly nd of nurse who will go far...She may stand on other's backs to get there but many do that....

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Slippery slope does not apply to white lies.

We owe it to ourselves, our families and society at large to get a job. You need to do what works. Telling a white lie is perfectly fine to get you in the door to helping people.

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Specializes in ED RN, PEDS RN, IV NURSE.

You do what you have to do. this girl was driven to a level that most people could never be. I admire her! That being said I see why you're virtually upset but truthfully there was nothing unethical about it. Unconventional? Yes. But unethical??? No. In a world where there's one job for every 50 nurses she did something different and it worked. Like a previous poster said, moxie.

Kudos to her.

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