Fellow student=back stabbed?

november17, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2016

So I'm a nursing student and I recently interviewed for a CNA position at a local hospital. The department director told me she was going to send me on to a peer interview because she planned on hiring me as long as the peer interview went well. The peer interview consisted of one RN and one CNA--who is a fellow nursing student and who I happen to have a minor history with--asking me questions. The interview went smoothly. And I didn't get the job. I won't get into what has gone on with "Lisa" and I, but as an example: my instructor once responded to Lisa's making fun of another student's compliment towards me by saying, "Everything is always about Lisa, isn't it?"
Anyways, if this job isn't what God intended for me, fine. Lisa had first dibs as she already worked there--whatever, I get it. My worry is that Lisa is going to say bad things about me to other students or even faculty behind my back. I don't want my reputation to be wrecked for Lisa not liking me for whatever reason it may be--I actually thought, despite her occasional passive aggressive jabs, that we were at least somewhat friends. How am I supposed to act around her and to our mutual friends about her? I don't want to allow her to damage my reputation but I also want to avoid drama.

I think you should act like a professional.

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esrun77 · Jun 28, 2016

Exactly--how do I respond professionally to such unprofessional conduct by a colleague? Ignore it? I mean, what if continues?

november17, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2016

Exactly--how do I respond professionally to such unprofessional conduct by a colleague? Ignore it? I mean, what if continues?

A) I'm failing to see how her conduct is unprofessional, honestly.

B) It sucks you didn't get the job. It sounds like you are blaming her because she was a part of the peer interview part. I doubt her opinion really carried enough weight in the selection process to make or break you. Maybe somebody more qualified with more experience came along? I understand it's probably frustrating, though.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 28, 2016

Exactly--how do I respond professionally to such unprofessional conduct by a colleague? Ignore it? I mean, what if continues?

What if it was the RN who felt that you were not a good fit for the unit or appropriate for the job? You are projecting and making assumptions about your classmate when you have no objective reason to know so. Did the manager say, "based upon Lisa's impressions of you at the peer interview we will not be offering you the job"? I doubt it.

There is exactly zero indication of "such unprofessional conduct" in your description of events.

Be professional

Don't assume the paranoid victim role.

Move on in search of the next opportunity

esrun77 · Jun 28, 2016

The thing is, the department director flat out told me she would hire me if the individuals in the peer interview thought I would be a good fit. At one point, Lisa asked me an out-there question, gave me a snobby response to my answer, and the RN actually stuck up for me in front of her. I can see why you would have trouble understanding since you haven't heard some of the passive aggressive statements Lisa has made to me in the past.

Ultimately, I'm just trying to determine how to proceed if Lisa continues this way.

november17, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2016

The thing is, the department director flat out told me she would hire me if the individuals in the peer interview thought I would be a good fit. At one point, Lisa asked me an out-there question, gave me a snobby response to my answer, and the RN actually stuck up for me in front of her. I can see why you would have trouble understanding since you haven't heard some of the passive aggressive statements Lisa has made to me in the past.
Ultimately, I'm just trying to determine how to proceed if Lisa continues this way.

That's better.

My advice; Act professional. Grow a thick skin. Stop worrying what she thinks. This career is no joke. I really truly mean that constructively.

Ever hear the phrase "nurses eat their young"? Her saying that stuff during the interview was just a taste.

I would personally let it go. They may have been doing you a favor and you just don't know it.

Again, stop worrying what other students think. The ONLY person you should be worrying about what they think of you is your patient. Period.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Jun 28, 2016

I wouldn't assume that she's the reason why you didn't get the job. And even if she is, there's nothing you can do about it. Be the bigger person and keep your nose clean. Don't involve yourself in whatever is going on with her.

dishes, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2016

Find a better way to deal with conflict, you're going to be dealing with it throughout your career. Making allegations, labelling someone and judging a person doesn't define who they are, it defines who you are.

esrun77 · Jun 28, 2016

Allegations, judgments and labels were not made. I presented my story and conflict management was actually my question, but thanks for your reiteration.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Jun 28, 2016

I doubt her opinion really carried enough weight in the selection process to make or break you.

I think her opinion could carry enough weight to make or break OP. If the CNA is a valued, respected employee, the manager may trust her judgment. I've been asked before if applicants I went to school with would b a good fit for our unit and I've always been honest. Why would I lie if someone isn't a good fit and have it come back on me.

OP has already said she has a "history" with this CNA. That can come back and hurt you. OP, I wouldn't worry about what may or may not be said to you. I would focus on school and looking for a job and not worry about anyone else.

november17, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2016

There's a book called the Survival Guide to Working With Humans. It'd be a good little self development project if you're truly interested.

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