Follow up? Let it go?

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

So this situation I'm in went from positive to strange really quick. I'm thinking at this point to chalk it up to a loss and let it go, but I figured I'd get some input first. And sorry, this is a little long.

So I interviewed with a major university hospital a few weeks ago. Initial interview with nurse manager went great: everything clicked, impressed with my prior work experience, clinical experience, credentials, etc etc. Interview then turned into an interview with the staff, which also led to positive feedback. Staff and nurse manager invited me back for shadowing several days later. I have no reason to believe shadowing did not go well, as I got along well with the staff, helped out as much as I was allowed, etc. At the end of the shadowing day, the nurse manager seemed really excited to get the ball rolling and it seemed as if she felt that I was a great fit for the unit. She said HR would be beginning the next steps (background check, whatever) and that if I did not hear from them in 48 hours to get in contact with her.

I followed up with a thank you email the next day....then 48 hours came and went.....then 96 hours came and went. At the 4 day mark I emailed the nurse recruiter from HR that I had been speaking with asking if she needed anything further from me, as I had not heard anything further. About an hour later, I received a response not from HR, but the unit manager saying she and the staff enjoyed meeting me as well (as if she were responding to my thank you email from days earlier), but that she needed a few days to make sure she would not be overstaffing before giving the green light, but to get in contact with her again by Tuesday (this past) if I didn't hear from anyone again.

Well Tuesday came, I emailed her again, and got no response. It is now Friday night/Saturday morning. All week I've been wondering why I was called for an interview if something like that was not figured out already. Also, why tell me on multiple occasions to get in contact if I don't hear anything from HR, if you're only going to ignore me in the end? The consensus from friends/family seems to be that she may just not have an answer on the staffing issues, and that's why she didn't answer me again. I feel like I have exhausted my options, and that it would be useless to follow up AGAIN, but then again, what do I really have to lose? This whole situation is incredibly discouraging, and frankly pretty annoying/rude.

So....I'm not looking for anyone to read the manager/HR's mind....but rather, what would you do if you were me? Random thoughts? Validate my feelings?

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

Yes, that would frustrate me to no end.

I think I would let it go. I don't know what may have come up but for some reason they changed their mind about hiring me, so I wouldn't press after checking in as told.

It may also be true that staffing issues are going on (maybe someone who was on leave asked to return, or an internal candidate started complaining that they did not get first crack at the job listing...). If things get resolved, the manager may get back to you later on.

Tough situation to be in. Sorry I'm not providing clearer feedback!

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.
Yes, that would frustrate me to no end.

I think I would let it go. I don't know what may have come up but for some reason they changed their mind about hiring me, so I wouldn't press after checking in as told.

It may also be true that staffing issues are going on (maybe someone who was on leave asked to return, or an internal candidate started complaining that they did not get first crack at the job listing...). If things get resolved, the manager may get back to you later on.

Tough situation to be in. Sorry I'm not providing clearer feedback!

Don't apologize! I guess I'm not really sure what kind of feedback I was even looking for....I'm just frustrated and tired of bothering the same old people with my whining about this situation. I just find it rather odd that if they did choose to go with someone else, why a top 10 hospital wouldn't have the nerve to just tell me they selected someone else? I mean, I'm giving them an easy way out by communicating via email....but I guess any sort of response is just too much to ask for :sarcastic:

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If it were me, I would continue with applying elsewhere while hoping to still hear from them. I would also try a phone call in another week or so. Like you said, what have you got to lose? I would be annoyed too.

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I would be annoyed and frustrated as well.

Did you initially apply online? If so, check the application status online. Unless it says no longer under consideration, I would say you still have a chance. Mine only took a day, but I have a classmate who waited weeks. She found out later that another nurse from the facility applied to transfer to the floor and the NM had to really go to bat for her to get the job instead of an internal transfer. I wouldn't give up just yet!

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.
I would be annoyed and frustrated as well.

Did you initially apply online? If so, check the application status online. Unless it says no longer under consideration, I would say you still have a chance. Mine only took a day, but I have a classmate who waited weeks. She found out later that another nurse from the facility applied to transfer to the floor and the NM had to really go to bat for her to get the job instead of an internal transfer. I wouldn't give up just yet!

I didnt actually. I didn't apply at all. Someone gave someone who gave someone who gave the manager my resume. Which makes it even more annoying. ... you liked me enough to call me for a position I didn't even apply for.... but can't respond to an email after 2 interviews. Right.

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Specializes in Medical/Oncology.
If it were me, I would continue with applying elsewhere while hoping to still hear from them. I would also try a phone call in another week or so. Like you said, what have you got to lose? I would be annoyed too.

Ditto to this.

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Wow, if you didn't even apply, then they must have really liked you. I agree you should keep looking, but still don't give up yet. From what I understand if a current employee shows interest in the position, they are pretty much forced to interview them and even if you are the one they want, they may have to jump through some hoops to get you.

Look at their job postings online and see if the position is accepting applications, if not then at least you know that they aren't still looking for someone else.

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Is it possible that something came up during the background check? Any criminal record? Did they do a credit check?

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I would take the advice to resume looking elsewhere and make the phone call a week from now to finalize it. After that phone call, I would not waste any more time from your end. If they want you, at some point it behooves them to put forth the job offer.

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.
Is it possible that something came up during the background check? Any criminal record? Did they do a credit check?

Not at all. Squeaky clean record and good credit.

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I have a friend going threw a similar situation. Went for a great interview, told she'd be hired as long as references went through, then told staffing would contact her and now morning. She's called, emails, used smoked signals and nothing and it's been a month since her first interview. It's a crappy situation!

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