Following up on interview: Advice Needed

[Traum-a-Rama]

Hi, all! Without making this too long, I'll just give the long story short: I am a new grad and got hired at what I thought would be my dream job in a busy, inner city ER (which was a non-for-profit)...My preceptor was wonderful, my training was wonderful, and my colleagues were wonderful...except for one. And I got my first lesson in horizontal violence and nurse bullying. There were witnesses on most occassions, but most feared speaking up. A few did, but still...One thing lead to another, things were getting downright unsafe for me, and I was railroaded by her and her manager friend. We are not unionized in my area, unfortunately.

I am trying to think that it was a blessing in disguise and move on, but my options are limited here and I'm unable to move due to custody reasons. I'd take any job, not just ER. Anyway, I managed to track down the human resources manager at the hospital I would LOVE to work at, and I rocked the interview! I explained to her that my past job was not an ideal fit, and she was aware of the circumstances going on at that job because she hired 22 of the nurses who left that ER in one mass exodus...I sent a thank you email and hand written note by snail mail.

She went on to explain to me going to Occupational Health prior to orientation and then how orientation would work, etc. and that I'd probably start in early October...It was arranged for me to interview with the ER director the next day. He explained scheduling, etc and gave me a tour of the facility. Sent that thank you the same day, too.

Well, about 3 days later, I get a call from the HR manager and she tells me that while the ER manager wants me on the team, the staff is overloaded with newbies and they aren't sure yet...it's not a definite "no" though. I then went on to again express my enthusiasm for the job, my team player attitude, and that I'm a quick learner and would work hard to earn the respect of the seasoned nurses on the team. I got up the courage to call the ER director as well, and sold myself to him again too. He said to give him a few days to work it all out...

:confused:Which leads me to this: It's been a week since I followed up with HR and the ER manager...do I call again? What do I say this time? I don't want to appear too pushy and come off as a nuisance...and, if they can't give me the ER position, how do I express to HR that I'd take any floor position? I'm a single mom and needed a job yesterday...how do I tell her that I won't run to the ER the first chance I get after they trained me on the floor?

Thanks for your input...

[Dre2416, BSN, RN]

I would leave it alone and let them call you now. You've already shown your enthusiasm and did the correct follow up. Now its up to them. you don't want to go into stalker mode and call them every other day, they also have jobs to do as well. If you have their email, follow up in another week to see if they will be sending out a rejection letter for candidates who were not hired.

[Good Morning, Gil]

I agree with the previous poster. Now that you have done everything you can, wait for them to contact you. Hopefully they call you soon with good news. If not good news (and it sounds like the reason would be inexperienced > experienced nurses), that's when you can make your plug for another position there. Explain how enthusiastic you are about working at that hospital (not just the ER), how you believe you would be a good fit there (if it's a small community hospital, you love the tight-knit feeling! If it's a large teaching hospital, you look forward to educational opps! lol) reinforce your good qualities and experience, etc (how well you handle stress having working in the ER, etc). Good luck!! I hope you get some good news! Even if it's not the ER, there has to be another open position on the floor....you can get it, sounds like they want you there!

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I also agree. They know you want the job, leave well enough alone.

[Kiwidanni]

I also agree. They know you want the job, leave well enough alone.

This, plus start looking at your other options so you don't feel "optionless" if you don't get the position you want.

[Gratefulprn]

I would not call the ER manager again, however, I would call the HR person and ask her if there are any other positions you may be considered for in another area or unit of the hospital. For now it looks as though the ER is not the opening. So, you may have to/need to, look at something else to get your foot in the door.

[canigraduate]

I hate to say this, but it sounds like they're giving you the polite brush-off. Talk to HR again, but start looking outside your hospital, too.

[nightnursecarol]

Congratulations on entering the nursing discipline! My first nursing position was in the ER, so I feel that connection to you. Continue to show interest, not by contacting the ER Manager, but by communicating with the recruiter. Express your willingness to work in any other dept/unit that they have. There's always units that are hard to fill, but if you want to get into the hospital that is what you have to do. After a year in that department, your clinical skills will be stronger, then make your way into the ER. Have a heart-to-heart, yet professional talk with that recruiter. Mention you enjoyed the med/surg, psych, peds, clinics, mother/baby unit during your rotations, but the ER was fast-paced, kind of exciting, and you're a problem solver, so that's how come you were initially drawn to that department. Also, don't worry with those bullies in the ER, the saying of nurses eating their young holds true. However, there are more good than bad in this beautiful profession. Enjoy the ride, Newcomer:nurse: Lastly, don't ever be afraid of the first "no", they will come.