Do Hospitals Ever Post Jobs That They Don't Plan to Fill?

Published

Or that they don't have the budget to fill?

I'm seeing the same job posted on their hospital site for a while now. I have been slow getting all my resume and referrals together and when I called about the position I was told that it's posted till it's filled. It's just a nurse aid position, how long could it take to fill that job? I'm sure there are tons of qualified applicants for it.

I just thought it was odd.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

Yes, they do this alot! I'm in the same situation with a L&D position that was posted in April and still hasnt been filled, because their census has been low, so they are waiting. It really bugs me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

That is crappy. It's like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey, if that is indeed what they are doing.

I would have thought it was more along the lines of they have multiple positions open, or have stuff opening all the time and accept applications on a rolling basis (e.g. at a big, urban hospital.) But that may not be the case necessarily.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Any thoughts on why they would do this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

One possible reason is that they may be waiting to fill it until they find the perfect candidate. So, they keep it posted in order to keep the applications coming in ... but are not happy with those who are applying.... but that is a little less likely with a CNA position than with an upper level position.

Also, they may have a "standard ad" that goes in the paper (or whatever) and they would have to pay more money to change it. Keeping it the same may save a little money. Or they might just not be paying attention to updating the ad on a regular basis (because the person who used to do that got laid off.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yes, they do this alot! I'm in the same situation with a L&D position that was posted in April and still hasnt been filled, because their census has been low, so they are waiting. It really bugs me!

That's really what I was afraid of. Also, I heard in the past about how companies are required to ads for jobs even if they plan to hire within. I don't know how accurate that is, but I'd rather that they didn't bother if that was the case. :p

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.
That's really what I was afraid of. Also, I heard in the past about how companies are required to ads for jobs even if they plan to hire within. I don't know how accurate that is, but I'd rather that they didn't bother if that was the case. :p

I think private companies can do whatever they want. However, if they wrote a policy (which was what they chose to do) as far as having to at least interview one outside applicant for a job before they hire, they are going to post it, even if they have an applicant in mind. Some companies have policies in their HR offices as such.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
Also, I heard in the past about how companies are required to ads for jobs even if they plan to hire within. I don't know how accurate that is, but I'd rather that they didn't bother if that was the case. :p

It's policy in some places.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

op: sometimes hr will post positions just to have resumes on file. locally this was very common a few years back until they started to get complaints from nurses seeking positions from out of state. the positions were posted randomly and left open for a long time but not one within my former organization was hiring at the time. in fact, i mentioned one posting i saw for my very short staffed floor at the time to my manager. she was surprised that such a position existed (meaning hr posted without her knowledge). she contacted hr and had the position removed immediately because she had no intention of hiring nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER.

Sometimes they are slow to update the postings. Sometimes they leave jobs posted so that they have a steady stream of applicants in case they need someone in a hurry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.

In my last job before nursing we had "required staffing" for each department or area. Facility-wide we were usaully 20 to 100 employees short. Why? Because it was cheaper in the long run to wring every extra hour they could out of the people they had than it was to hire because overtime was cheaper than benefits.

So, yes, businesses have openings all the time that they have no plans to fill.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I read on this website a post posted by a member and he/she stated that a lot of the times the employers already have in mind who they want for the position whether it be an employee from within or someone who has a hook up (someone referred by a family member/friend), and the employers only post the jobs (half of the time they are filled already) only because to not post any jobs would be illegal. Don't know how true that is but it sounds very plausible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion