Employment question

[Gonefishing]

Hello. I'm an LPN of 5 years with health and rehab experience. My background is squeaky clean, license clear, and have been trying to get into correctional nursing since day 1. I had a really great interview a few months ago and was basically promised 1 of 2 positions with an ability to cross train and was really excited it was finally going to happen. Did my background and drug test and was waiting for an orientation date only to be let down by calling a week later to find out I was again passed over. I'm at a loss of why there's an abundance of these jobs in my area yet I can't seem to get in. I've had excellent interviews and offers and seem to get lost in the shuffle after an offer. Any input would be appreciated

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Having done a ton of interviews for correctional nursing positions (both LPN and RN), you must consider that each interview is a separate event. I have sat on interviews when we didn't find anyone suitable, and interviews when we had so many highly qualified applicants that we couldn't have possibly hired them all. One applicant who we liked but always seemed to fall just a hair short each time that we interviewed him was finally hired the fifth time around. It was a function of the strength of the interview pool each time.

Offers are not official until you get confirmation from HR. "Basically promised" means not promised, unless you have something in writing. It is highly doubtful that whoever hinted that you were going to be hired and have a choice of two assignments had the authority to make any kind of offer. I am careful not to even hint that an applicant has an offer in the bag (even if it might be true), especially when there are interviews left and I have no idea how the remaining candidates will interview. We have also had people go through the interview process and be on the verge of being hired when they fail the pre-employment drug screen. One nurse who seemed ideal for a particular position that we were trying to fill tested positive for morphine on the pre-employment screening.

As I tell applicants during the interview, if the answer is no, that doesn't necessarily mean no forever. If we interview someone who I would never consider hiring, I ask the admin assistant not to call that person again when we set up interviews (people remain on the list for up to a year without reapplying). The fact that you keep getting interviews tells me that you are impressing people on the interview panel. Otherwise, they wouldn't keep calling you. Keep the faith.