Feels like a slap in the face...

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi All

I am a new graduate nurse who has worked for a hospital as a float CNA for a year as part of an educational program designed for nursing students to gain hospital experience and eventually work as RNs in the hospital. During this time I have received a lot of positive feedback from nurses and was told by staffing that a lot of floors request me. From the beginning there was an implication that I would be hired on as an RN when I graduated.

Well, I'm sure you know where this is going. Thirty-some RN residencies were posted. I applied, made it through the phone interview, and was scheduled to interview on my first-choice unit. I had an interview with the manager that felt like I was being shown the door before I even sat down and needless to say, I didn't get the job. Two of my dear friends and classmates who are external hires without medical experience outside of nursing school were hired for residencies on other units in the same hospital. (I am happy for them but dealing with my own disappointment)

I wasn't even called; I had to call HR to find out I wasn't hired. I have had nothing but good reviews and feedback at this hospital, I get along with all my co-workers so I just don't get it. I always thought that preference was given to internal hires. Anyone else have an experience like this before?

Please be kind in your replies. Constructive criticism is fine but I'm feeling like s*** right now and facing the very real prospect of unemployment since I'm pretty sure I can't work as a CNA once I become an RN, which will be this month providing I don't fail the NCLEX. :crying2:

Specializes in Float Pool-Med-Surg, Telemetry, IMCU.

@Mi Vida Loca: Oh, I figured you weren't being rude...I just always feel funny about tooting my own horn. I did ask the HR person I talked to about it and explained the situation a little bit to her. She was really nice and encouraged me to speak with the manager which I definately will do.

And I did send a thank you but it was by email which may have been tacky. It was very short and just said "Thanks for taking the time to interview me, etc, etc". Honestly I think my shyness was probably a turn-off. I'm not shy with patients but interviews have always been tough for me.

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Specializes in N/A.

My heart goes out to you. Instinct tells me you did nothing wrong. It sounds as if the new hires had some personal connections. You sound conscientious and superb. There is a better place for you. I have read and heard many people suggesting working as a CNA before being a nurse. I have a theory. I think that it can work against you because people start seeing you and knowing you as an unskilled CNA doing the 'scut work' and can't see you as a skilled nurse. That has absolutely nothing to do with you, it's just their perception. My life observations have inclined me to believe that people believe in a hierarchy and everyone has a place in that hierarchy. When someone changes, i.e. moves up the ladder or down the ladder, people find it disturbing. I once bought a junky fixer upper in a nice neighborhood. Everyone in the neighborhood was angry at this property. When I started to work on it and it kept looking nicer and nicer, you would think that the neighbors would be happy - their property values would improve. They were angry and sarcastic instead. When it was finished, it was every bit as nice as the nicest properties. In time, the neighbors were glad and I was accepted into the inner circle. But their reactions to the improvements along the way were surprising, as if they were somehow threatened. Maybe the same principle is at work here. The best of luck to you and you will be rewarded for your work and your capabilities.

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Specializes in PICU.
@Mi Vida Loca: Oh, I figured you weren't being rude...I just always feel funny about tooting my own horn. I did ask the HR person I talked to about it and explained the situation a little bit to her. She was really nice and encouraged me to speak with the manager which I definately will do.

And I did send a thank you but it was by email which may have been tacky. It was very short and just said "Thanks for taking the time to interview me, etc, etc". Honestly I think my shyness was probably a turn-off. I'm not shy with patients but interviews have always been tough for me.

Two things you said here caught my attention. First, if you don't feel totally comfortable talking about your accomplishments, did you maybe not talk yourself up enough in the interview? I know it seems weird, but you do need to make yourself sound like superwoman in an interview. It is also a good idea to sound very confident, decisive and say only very positive focused things. For example, if they ask you your biggest weakness, you never actually say anything very bad. I'm not saying you did any of this in the interview, but trying to provide some perspective. I have been part of interviewing new grads for residency positions and if they seemed at all unsure of themselves they lost a lot of points. Things we looked for were clear, concise answers that directly answered the question asked, and looking poised and confident despite being really nervous. We also took points off if they did not wear a suit. When you only have 30 or so minutes to make an impression it is tough.

The other thing you mentioned was being shy. I tend to be fairly quiet until I get to know people and have been told many times that once people got to know me, that I was totally different that what they thought when they first met me. For me, I think this lead to me not getting the job I wanted to start with. The people making the decision didn't think I had the right personality for it, or at least would not be as good as other candidates that they had. I really have no idea how to go about changing this, but at least I'm aware of it now.

Obviously if you can get direct feedback from the manager that would be best, but if not, at least you've had some more interview practice. Interviewing is definitely something where practice makes perfect!

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Specializes in Peds Hem, Onc, Med/Surg.

It could also be that the manager already had someone for that position. It happens. Don't feel bad. Keep trying! I'm sure you will find something and maybe that will be a better fit for you than that floor.

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

It might not hurt to look for positions on other units, too. Going from aide to RN can present some challenges, along with the advantages. If you tend to be shy or reserved, it could be uncomfortable delegating to those who were recently your peers. It's far from insurmountable, but I wonder if your prospective manager may have thought it might be more than you needed to take on as a new nurse. Maybe a somewhat less familiar floor would give you a better chance.

Or maybe she/he liked everything but your hair color. It happens.

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I feel some times in life I have rose colored glasses on, In my dream world I graduate, Pass the boards and start work. Well I passed my boards and I'm still looking for a job. I called and scored an interview, the person in charge of interviews called the day before and canceled stating the hospital was full and asked me to call back Monday. Well I've called Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and now I feel I'm just being pushed off and rejected. I live in a very small area and would have to travel an hour to get another job. I've applied at hospitals farther away and get the same rejection e-mail. I'm loosing steam. I've prayed about it and what is meant to be will be!

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Specializes in L&D.

This stinks...happened to me too! At a hospital I both volunteered for and worked as a CNA...it just means that you were meant for something better. Chin up! :)

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC.

I know EXACTLY how you feel! See the post "You MUST be freaking kidding me!?"

But as many people on here have said, sometimes things weren't meant to be. At first I was devasted, I felt like, unlike many of my classmates, I had a plan and would have a job right out of school. Well I was thrown a curve ball and wasn't sure how to handle it. But since then I have continued to work there while waiting to take my boards and I have started applying to other places. I have gone on one interview and I am really hoping to hear back from them today. The place I interviewed would actually be a better opportunity anyway. So as they say sometimes one door closes while another opens.

If you want to speak to your manager you can, but I wouldn't be expected a whole lot out of it.

Good Luck and keep your head up!

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Man, that stinks!!! Did your other classmates get the same opportunity as you on the same floor with the same manager?

It sounds to me like that manager already had someone else lined up for the position, especially if you felt they were showing you the door before you even sat down. I would not take it personally (I know that's very hard to do). Keep applying to different units, call and ask the HR Manager if they know of any other positions. Keep working there and spread the word that you are taking your boards on this date and if anyone has anything available to let you know.

I am currently doing an externship, will have been there almost a year prior to graduation and am really scared this will happen to me, so I feel your pain! Just remember to really try hard not to take this personally. You will end up right where you are supposed to be.

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Well, it is a slap in the face. So sad that these days, prospective employers don't even have the "cojones" to say, thanks, but we're passing on you.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

I am having the same troubles. I was a CNA for 2.5 years and I've been an LPN for 7 years. Now I'm an RN. I don't want to work in LTC anymore, but I keep getting rejected for interviews. Haven't even had an interview. But I keep hearing about people who already got jobs (some right after graduation) and they don't have any experience. It's really upsetting. Right now I'm concentrating on making contacts and applying for ANYTHING. I've had someone read my resume. ARGH!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

I have almost the same thing done to me, but it happened to husband to be.

His boss was fired and so he was applying for the position. He's worked there for years and was a supervisor applying for management, even had a degree in this particular field that not many people have. Well even all his co workers and all the other managers asked him when he will start the position. They all even put good words in for him (I work there too but in a different dept.) Anyway, you guessed it, he didn't get it. Some other person got it. It's unfair, but life isn't fair. But I understand your resentment. We both work at this job and I feel a lot of resentment because I know he worked hard to get where he was. He didnt even get an interview! I mean that's what made me mad the most. Like you, you both weren't even given a chance.

I would ask hr what exactly was wrong with your interview, because if what you said was correct about co workers and everyone liking you. That interview has to be it.

Nxt time I would not go/schedule and interview right after work. You need time to relax and calm down and go over questions with yourself.

Good luck, hope all is well.

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