Does this place sound legit? or free labor?

[Newgrad_STAT]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering about a situation I'm in.

Last month I responded to an ad in the local paper for a position within a sleep clinic.

A week after I sent my resume I received an email with an attachment of pre-interview questions. (some of the questions were REALLY odd) so I didn't send it back right away. Last week I received a call from the supervisor asking me to complete the questionaire and send it back. I did- he's offering me a time to come in and observe what they do (4 hrs). After that it would be a full night shift. You would then have to pass an interview and THEN follow up with a 5 more days of full nights (as "observation"). I get that they want to see if this job is a good fit for you... but I don't want something to "all of a sudden" happen on the fifth day and you've done all this "free labor" and you don't hear back from them... what if they just keep getting a bunch of people doing this? it would be like weeks and weeks of free labor for them. Anyways after all those shifts you then would be considered to be on payroll as a trainee...

I've been a new grad for 8 months now... I'm finding it really hard to get my nursing career started. I have an interview tomorrow at a local hospital- so I'm praying with everything it pans out. God willing.

Anyways, how does this sleep clinic sound?

[Hoozdo, ADN]

Hmmm, I need more information before I comment.

1) What is the job for, a registered nurse? Why does a sleep clinic need an RN?

2) The 5 nights of "observation" is not paid?

3) What are the ODD questions on the questionaire?

I would not take the job if the 5 nights were not paid. My time is worth money and I don't work for free. You should not either whether you are a new grad or not.

The ODD questions would rule out the job too. There is no need to answer any odd questions, in particular, quirky sexual questions!

[caliotter3]

This is not the first time I have heard of a free labor scam. If they wanted to, they could hire people and get rid of them the way other employers do. I would avoid this. Look for a traditional entry to a new job.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

From what you provided, I would stay away. No one works for free and it sounds like they may be trying to take advantage of people that are struggling to find jobs.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

While it sounds unusual and I would definitely probe for more details and such, I don't see where this constitutes "free labor", as you will be observing only and not providing any labor.

[FlyingScot, RN]

It doesn't sound like you'll be working. It sounds like 5 nights of shadowing. I imagine this would be kind of a difficult job, staying up all night watching other people sleep. Maybe they just want to make sure you know what's involved so you don't sign on and quit after the third day because it's boring or too hard to stay awake. I'm not sure how you'll be providing "free labor".

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Observing isn't doing; and a shadow should never touch a patient.

And a total of 6.5 shifts of observing is an incredibly lazy way to "interview some one."

Unless truly desperate, I'd pass

[footqueen]

I'd run. I fell for a "work for free" scam for 2 months (they said I was in TRAINING- unpaid, of course!). Learned my lesson :)

Good luck with the hospital interview.

[Newgrad_STAT]

I wrote that wrong. It's most definitely more than just shadowing as they are judging you and seeing if you're a fit.

I received an offer for another position I interviewed for last week. My orientation is Friday.

The interview at the hospital I felt went well... if it's meant to be it'll be mine... if not I am beyond thankful to FINALLY have landed a nursing job!