Frustration with HR/ Nurse recruiters- Just a vent

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 31, 2011

Yeah, I know!!!! How irritating, try doing that working hospice!! Yes, I can arrange my schedule for that emergent interview, NOT.

merlee · Jan 31, 2011

Could be that the new fiscal year just started, and the budget is flush, so they are now able to hire. They are anxious now, because they have been short for a long time.

And you are correct in that it is not an 'emergency', and I am proud that you stood your ground about not going to you regular job.

Best wishes!

Popwhizbangz, LPN · Jan 31, 2011

I have longstanding issues with a department that calls people "resources, " like we're somehow akin to resources like coal, or equipment. Commodities. You do well with people only when you treat them like people, not interchangeable cogs in your machine.

bree* · Jan 31, 2011

Same thing has happened to me!..except I don't have a nursing position right now. It's very aggravating...they act like they're doing this huge favor to squeeze you in..you waste 6 hours of your day there and don't receive a single call back. Leave reviews for all of the agencies you went to. I looked up an agency I went to and their reviews were less than stellar. There will always be complainers..but if more than half of the reviews are negative, it's a good indicator that the place may not be worth your time.

MAL, RN · Jan 31, 2011

Thats crazy that HR told you to call into your work! How unprofessional!

I agree. Its very frusterating to not get any call backs or even feedback on why you didnt get the job/not being considered.

With the job market this bad, I have to apply for literally every position that hospitals offer for new grads- and I'm always worried that their HR gets annoyed with all my apps. But, if they gave us some feedback, I wouldnt be applying to all of them!

noahsmama · Jan 31, 2011

Yes, I've had the same thing happen to me, and yes, it is extremely annoying and inconsiderate!!! In my own case, I had to rearrange my child care schedule as well as my work schedule to try to accomodate last minute interviews -- thankfully I had very cooperative co-workers and a very flexible babysitter, but even so, no way could I rearrange my schedule with less than about 48 to 72 hours notice, and I think a week would be much more reasonable. Seems to me even a potential employer on a very tight schedule should be able to accomodate this, especially if they want their applicant pool to include people who are currently employed, and whose work ethic does not allow for fake sick calls.

Good luck with your job search -- I hope you find something soon!

NaKcl, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2011

I guess everyone is having issues with HR. I, too, have issues with HR. have been trying to transfer to different department, but not happening yet. Seems like you gotta have some connection with someone. It feels like they are mocking its employees when they announce they have "equal opportunities" while they don't. I stop applying for transfer within the system anymore. If they don't want my loyalty in thier system, then let it be. I am going to look for outside of system.

Here is my vent;

I have one experience when they called me for an urgent interview. I agreed to it, and the manager changed the interview time that morning. I agreed again, cancelling my plan for that morning. When I went there, he had me wait for a long time before the interview. When I was going to leave the place, he called me into his office. The manager's attitude was disrespectful, I could feel that he was doing it for the formality. I never heard from him again and I didn't call him back. I figured it was his loss, not mine.

kcmylorn · Feb 1, 2011

These HR depts and Nurse managers have such a sence of ENTITLEMENT now because they can. Years ago, they didn't. They were more at our mercy. They have become down right ignorant, rude and gutter. Don't ever put the word"professional" in the same sentance with them. Their trash.

Psychtrish39, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2011

I had a recruiter call me back last week about a travel job with the VA and she said that my history was sketchy. I said in what way ? I have lived in three states in the last 8 years and been licensed and only working as an RN in each one I lived in. I am also VETPRO certified ( a certification that VA has a nurse complete before hiring you) the VA was a prior job and I am actually eligible to rehire with them just nothing open here in what I have most recent experience in and she said you dont look reliable on paper. I said and you are trying to hire me for a travel contract of 13 weeks . Not for a permanent position I have had all my jobs with exception of one at least 2 years. :mad:

I thought you negative orifice.... I am looking at other agencies which dont give a rats bottom about it. I know we cant say names on here but if everyone wants to know the travel company private message me. They are not one of the bigger ones either. She tried to treat me like I was beneath her and she thought I had to explain to the letter why I changed jobs I had put personal reasons or health reasons. I feel I am entitled to some privacy. I think with this economy they think they can pull c c*&^p like that.. I think the chick was on a power trip... :rolleyes:

steelydanfan · Feb 1, 2011

I need to vent. I have been applying for jobs since early October. No calls back really for all of Oct, Nov, & Dec. I also have a current job, in which I am not happy. I have been applying to everything near and far in hopes of finding something/anything else. I got almost no calls back for months. During these months I would call to follow up, almost always got voicemail to leave a messsage and never got any calls back. Got a general feeling of apathy from most HR departments and recruiters which is fine, I am certain they get a lot of calls and are probably busy.
Since the first of the year I have noticed a new trend. Its an "urgent" message from HR calling me to schedule an interview "tomorrow" like its an emergency. And sometimes if at work or sleeping (I work nights) and I dont get the message almost immediately I get several more messages like this. Why would you try to schedule last minute interviews for tomorrow? Am I a second string candidate after someone else cancels? lol At the last interview for a residency program, while speaking to the other candidates, we all realized we had all been scheduled the day before!
This is the fourth call just like this since the first of the year. And then when I call back to tell them I am working tomorrow they seem so shocked and annoyed. Like I should just have my whole schedule totally free in case they call. A HR actually person just asked me if I could call in sick tomorrow to come interview with her, she said my current job will never find out. Um NO, would you want me to do that while working for you?! So pushy. And they are over an hour away. And I applied early Oct for this position. It took them this long just to start interviewing? I am trying to get a swap for my shift, but well so annoying to keep doing this week after week. And she is so angry that I have to wait on someone to call me back regarding a swap.
Why does their poor planning mean a schedule emergency for me? I have been scrambling and begging coworkers to swap with me to make these interviews work and it is so annoying! And I am trying SO hard to make it work cuz I want a new job!!!! Why do they wait until the day before? It is obvious to me that job searching IS a full time job and they expect you to have a completely clean schedule open for them in case they call.
I am thankful they are calling, dont get me wrong. I just hate that its a huge emergency for me to call them back immediately and always for an interview with NO notice at all. I bend over backwards and jump through their hoops to make this work. I really am trying! But after the interview it goes back to waiting on them to never call me back.

Let me introduce you to a reality called pt. population.

You are being called now instead of Sept. because in Sept.. the hospital was only half full, and they were calling people off. They don't want permanent staff in down times because you WILL be called off anyway. but they STILL have to pay your benefits.

Now it's January, the hospital is full, and they need you NOW. It is THEIR emergency, not yours.

Welcome to corporate America, land of the " You are expendable untill we have a need for you".

You have to deal with this as you see fit. Just remember, as a new employee. unless someone else wants the day off. you are one of the first on the list for canceled shifts when the census drops.

lillymom · Feb 1, 2011

Athough I don't agree with them trying to schedule for interviews at the last minute, I can understand why they might do it. They probably want someone who they can call at any time to come in to work, someone who can work on their schedule. Maybe they think if you are able to make it to the interview then you will be able to make it in whenever they feel like calling you to work.