Got hired, but its not what I was told, help!

[Nienna Celebrindal]

Backstory: I was hired by a hospital to be a PCA(basically a CNA) until a new grad program started in January which I was guaranteed (this word was actually used) I would be a part of this program and then would be an RN. I took it because its a foot in the door, its an amazing hospital (I've dreamt of working there for a decade), its good experience, and their new grad program is exceptionally hard to get into otherwise.

At orientation I met some other people hired for the same thing, when we got to talking it seemed like we had all been told a different story, and not just a little different but a lot. Even though several us spoke to the exact same 2 people (we were hired at a hiring event and there were 4 people and you interviewed with 2).

So I called the director of our PCA to RN program to talk to her for clarification and because I have not received an email from the supervisor who sets up floor orientation (but all the other people I met had- they got theirs last monday). She told me I just had to wait, which I'm okay with doing (though I'm very eager to start).

My real trouble is what is going on going from PCA to RN is not what I was told. I said I had heard a few different ways the process works and could she give me clarification. The new grad program actually starts in February but there is no guarantee that I'm in it or that I'll ever be hired there as an RN. I have to make all the nurses on the unit like me and want to recommend me. She told me I have to sell myself and not everyone who was hired will a) get a spot in the program or b) like I said ever be hired there. She said I have to go in everyday and be my best and make the staff want to work with me and trust me as an RN. Obviously I would do this anyway but it feels different when you know you people are looking to critique you every minute of every shift.

I feel like its a popularity contest and that's not what what I was told or signed up for. Or would have signed up for had it been presented to me like that. Before she finished, she said I see you talked to my boss so I know this is what you were told. At this point I just kept my mouth shut (because its absolutely not what her boss told me but obviously I can't say that) and thanked her for clarifying thing for me and told her I was looking forward to working for her and hung up. But I'm not looking forward to this anymore but I feel trapped. If I quit I basically ruin my chances of working here forever, and possibly tarnishing my resume because now this all comes up on a background check. I'm terrified of this "make everyone like you" thing. Don't get me wrong its not that people don't like me but I don't feel like I'm never anyone's favorite. I try really hard to be nice, be a team player, work hard etc but I feel like because I'm usually just quietly handling things I go unnoticed. Forgotten. I have no idea how to make myself noticed without looking like an ******* (I've tried in the past and it did not go well for me). I literally know no one at this hospital so I have no one on my side to help me out.

I have no idea what to do.

I feel like I'm just going to have to show up work as hard as I can and hope that I'm not wasting the next 3 months not looking for another RN position.

[Graduatenurse14]

Oh dear. I'm sorry that is going on! If you quit now they can't blackball you for rehire as if you got fired or caused a huge issue and then quit or after they spent $$$ training you as an RN.

They aren't exactly honest about how this all works and that's a big red flag. It's the old bait and switch. The mental and emotional toll of making everyone like you in order to get into this new grad program, would be very great. Too great.

I get that we "sell ourselves" to get jobs on interviews by sharing how well we do something, get a date by flirting and love everything they love, etc. but this is not what you were told and it doesn't seem that this was well thought out by TPTB given that woman and her boss aren't on the same page:

Before she finished, she said I see you talked to my boss so I know this is what you were told. At this point I just kept my mouth shut (because its absolutely not what her boss told me but obviously I can't say that)

But I'm not looking forward to this anymore but I feel trapped.

This is your gut, your 6th sense telling you something isn't quite right. Trapped is the worst feeling ever and it only gets worse.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Goodness that sounds more like sorority recruitment than a job prospect. "Make them like you" I would hope she would have said something like "prove you have the appropriate skill level and can perform your role as a nurse proficiently"

[ceccia]

I would tell them that while I appreciate the offer, several important details were misrepresented (spell out exactly what those were, i.e. guarantee of an RN job), and for that reason you will not be participating in their program.

or, if you really have your heart set on working there...play their games BUT do so without caring at all about the outcome. Act as if you are already employed there, do NOT act as if you're "competing" for anything.

Treat it like a temporary job, as if you were hired for (however long your probation/training/program is), and proceed to apply in earnest for other jobs when this program nears completion. Assume you will not be working there after your program is over. (This will put you in the mindset of not feeling like you need to bend over backward and tap dance like a contestant on a weird hospital version of American Idol.)

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I dunno.... I was hired at my 2nd new grad job on call. I understood, without them telling me, that I needed people to "like me". That is work politics for you. If the regular, senior staff like your personality and think you're up to their standards, you're more likely to get a coveted full time position.

I'm sorry they weren't honest with you up front.

I kissed a lot of orifice, made nice with the nurses who'd been there longer than me, and I was hired full time a few months after starting as on-call.

I hope it all works out for you!!

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

My old unit started doing that with their new grads. There were three RNs who worked as techs for 3-4 months before getting a chance to apply for the residency program. This is what you are going to do. You will take the PCA to RN job and hope it actually turns into a real job. Meanwhile, you will apply to outside hospitals and interview hopefully. If you get an RN job at an outside hospital while working as a PCA at "Dream Hospital" you take the RN job.

[~Shrek~]

Unfortunately that is today's job market. If you aren't willing to pay the price, you may not get an RN job.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I'm a bit confused as to whether OP's current status... student? new grad? RN? This makes a significant difference, particularly if OP is still in SoCal, as the tag line indicates. That area is probably one of the most challenging for new grads - employers have the power and the competition for nursing jobs is fierce.

Truthfully, the issue of "job fit" is a critical issue for all new hires. It doesn't have to be a popularity contest, but anyone who doesn't mesh well with the existing staff is probably not going to last very long. Hiring managers are very wise to involve incumbent staff in the selection of new hires, which seems to be the case for OP. This will contribute to a better sense of 'belonging' and acceptance for newbies, since their co-workers actually played a part in their selection.

[AmyRN303, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry that they told you one thing, then did another. But if it helps, many of the people hired into our residency worked as PCTs or did internships in our hospital prior to applying for the residency. Their time on their floors helped to show what a good fit they'd be for their floor or unit. Consider it good experience at the least and a trial run in the best.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I don't think the difference between what the OP thought the job was and what it really is ... is as big a deal as she seems to think. ALL jobs are popularity contests in the beginning. That is a bit part of any "probationary period." Even if she had been hired as an RN from day 1, she would have to prove herself both technically competent and also nice to work with or face termination. That is the way jobs work -- pretty much everywhere.

The hospital is giving her and others a chance to show what they can do. If they do well, they will move up. If they don't do well, they will move out. That is normal everywhere. The people she talked to recently were just being honest about a process that exists at every employer. They hired her with an eye towards her potential as an RN, verbally telling her that she was in line for an RN position -- assuming she doesn't blow it. The word "guarantee" was meant as a guarantee that she was being thought of as an RN -- it didn't mean that she couldn't be "let go" if she didn't work out.

1. All jobs are tentative at first until you prove yourself.

2. Verbal promises made in private rarely hold up in court. Always get things such as job offers, benefits, etc. in writing. You can only count on the stuff in writing.

3. More than anything else ... this situation is a big reality check. (Not unusual work conditions or employment practices)

[Nienna Celebrindal]

I'm a bit confused as to whether OP's current status... student? new grad? RN?

I['m anew grad RN but I was an LVN for 12 years and a Navy Hospital Corpsman as well. So not brand spanking new, but new to the RN role.

I've done nothing but think about this for the last few days and while I am still annoyed by the poor communication I'm going to try it out. Hopefully my prior nursing experience helps me shine past my shyness and awkwardness. I think that's what I have going to myself. I might not be the most popular, but I think I can show them I am the competent and finger crossed that will be what counts.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

I['m anew grad RN but I was an LVN for 12 years and a Navy Hospital Corpsman as well. So not brand spanking new, but new to the RN role.

I've done nothing but think about this for the last few days and while I am still annoyed by the poor communication I'm going to try it out. Hopefully my prior nursing experience helps me shine past my shyness and awkwardness. I think that's what I have going to myself. I might not be the most popular, but I think I can show them I am the competent and finger crossed that will be what counts.

So you passed the NCLEX and are now an RN? sounds a bit similar to what happened to me but slightly different, I was first hired as a PCT with promises of moving to RN then the directors changed, I passed my NCLEX and became an RN 3 weeks ago and I'm getting the old story, oh we got too many new nurses and are not hiring new GN's. I've worked at this hospital for 6 months and my chances are no better than any external candidate. The same has happened to 3 other GNs and we all working as PCTs still.

I sort of dread going to work now, not only cause of the pay, but I feel like my skills are quickly dwindling and have long started sending out applications to everywhere and anyone I could find.

My advice is they have swindled you just like they did me...run from this place, start applying to other places a.s.a.p and put in your notice as soon as someone calls you. If you want to reapply to this "dream hospital" you will still have "GN" status and will be eligible to apply come February.

Edit: Some of my classmates at another hospital started of as PCTs like me and I know of at least 2 of them were made RN's the same day they found out they passed and the info was verified on the State website. This is the type of employer you should go with, who sticks to their word. I regret not trying that other hospital.