5 Interviews for the same position, what now?

[NurseAndLovinIt, BSN, RN]

Hey everyone!

I have searched this similar topic, but no answers found have been satisfying. I am hoping for some advice on my personal situation. First of all, I just graduated with my BSN. I have held service industry jobs for the past 10 years - therefore I have interview experience that entails being hired on the spot.

In the past 2 weeks, I have had 5 interviews for the same position on a Med/Surg floor at a major teaching hospital. I passed initial HR interview and 3 hours after it, I was called by a NM for an interview. I have had 2 interviews with the NM and 2 with staff members and charge nurse. My last interview was this past Thursday with the charge nurse.

First of all, am I correct in assuming that after so many interviews this is a very good thing? They wouldn't keep calling me back if they didn't like me right? Every interview that I had I felt good. Of course I was extremely nervous and it probably showed a bit, but I felt comfortable with the interviewers and the whole entire experience.

After the 2nd interview w/the NM she scheduled a day for me to shadow (the next day, a Friday) and also told me that I should take the weekend and decide if her unit was where I wanted to be and let her know. That following Monday I called and said I loved it and really want to be a part of her staff. She then told me she wanted me to meet with her charge nurse.

I felt comfortable and got along great w/the CN. He loved my customer service saturated work history, saying along the lines that such experience makes for great nurses. He then confided that he used to work for the same restaurant company as I had, before nursing. He did ask me some situational questions, and one of them I struggled with. It was easy and my answer ended up being "good enough". Of course I thought about a better and more appropriate answer later AFTER the interview! Well, at the end of the CN interview, he said he hopes to see me soon.

I thought I would hear something as early as today, but nothing. So I ask, how do you interpret my chances and how long should I wait to follow up? I know references and back ground checking can take some time. If I dont hear anything by this Friday, should I call the NM? That would be one week after my last interview, is that appropriate?

And btw, I have sent a thank you email after EVERY interview.

I want this job so so much!!

Thanks for your time in reading this and giving me some advice on my new grad job woes

[medgirlRN]

Hi. I, too, was not used to multiple interviews for one position as I previously worked with engineers and was told right then and there I was hired. I didn't know what to expect either. It seems like its a good sign since you are going through the chain of interviews. What I'm thinking is that if you are shown to be a good candidate then your information is passed on to the next "step" for further evaluation. I was very fortunate to be offered a position so quickly in a field that I really enjoy. Hope the best for you! All will be well and before you know it a great opportunity will be offered to you. :) Hope this helps!

[nola1202]

not at all used to this serial interviewing. sounds like a tremendous waste of time and resources. my goodness this is an entry level position, not the presidency. i hope it all pays off and they hire you...at last. someone make a decision already! god help us all if this is how they handle an emergency!

[PediNurse3]

It sounds promising! I really don't think that they would waste anyone's time with 5 interviews if they weren't interested. How long ago did you shadow with the charge nurse? Perhaps they still have other applicants to set up interviewing and shadowing with?

I think it sounds good and that the chances are good that you'll hear something soon. I would give them a little bit more time and then follow up.

Good luck!

[samirish]

I think your chances are very good but wow..are 5 interviews REALLY necessary?? Dang. They really are making you jump through hoops. Good luck and best wishes to you.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Hey everyone!

I thought I would hear something as early as today, but nothing. So I ask, how do you interpret my chances and how long should I wait to follow up? I know references and back ground checking can take some time. If I dont hear anything by this Friday, should I call the NM? That would be one week after my last interview, is that appropriate?

Sounds like they have a hard time making a decision. 5 interviews is a lot. So when was the last interview exactly?

Today was the day after the holiday. There may have been other things they needed to catch up on.

If its been a week or more, I'd sat its OK to respectfully ask where they are in the process

Good Luck

[Tankweti]

It almost sounds like they might have been burned somewhere down the line by a new grad who "interviewed well" but who subsequently was found either to not be what they expected or wanted, didn't get along with coworkers, didn't take criticism well, etc. Nowadays hospitals are so tight on training resources & hiring budgets that they can no longer afford even one hiring mis-step.

[NurseAndLovinIt, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the feedback!

Let me clarify some things:

First this hospital is in the process of achieving Magnet status. (if that matters with the interviewing process)

Interview 1 was HR, Interview 2 was supposed to be w/NM, but NM had a family emergency. She had a different NM from a "sister" floor interview me, in addition to that I met with 2 staff nurses on the intended floor. Interview 3 was with the actual NM of intended floor. Interview 4 was a job shadowing day. Interview 5 was the final one with the CN. So that is a bit out of the ordinary, but considering the family emergency, I think it falls with in expected. HR told me I should expect: HR interview, then Nurse manager, then peer interviews/job shadowing. So yeah Its a lot and extensive. I just am hoping it is reassuring and that these interviews are good things. I should also mention I went to the other side of the state (400miles away) for this interview. They know this and have been prompt with those interviews. I guess I am being anxious and want to know quickly. At the same time, this is my first hospital interview and I am unfamiliar with the process. So if this sounds promising to you all, I am happy. And I will call on Friday if I haven't heard anything by then...as long as that followup call makes me sound interested, serious, persistent, but NOT pushy/annoying. lol Thanks!

[jazmineRN]

Longtime RN here, and I can't tell you how much I despise the interviewing process. They can and will waste your time...this from firsthand experience!

And what's this peer review thing, whatever happened to the NM making the decision to hire you or not? Does anyone else feel an invasion of privacy when you see your resume being handed form one person to another around a room???

[merlee]

Four hundred miles???? And they made you do this how many times??? I hope it's worth it!

Best wishes!!!