Have a dillema

[Canggih1]

I need some advice. I have been working as a CNA for almost two years at a hospital in my town. I also did clinicals there. In my leadership and management class I followed the cardiac manager and I loved the floor. I had a good rapport with the manager and I told her my interest in working there. She seemed very positive and made some comments that made me think she was seriously thinking of hiring me. I had an interview with 5 managers, although I was nervous, I felt I answered the questions very well. However, out of 12 applicants, 8 were hired and I wasn't hired. Even one of my classmates who had never worked in that hospital got hired on the floor that I am working on as a CNA. I was devastated. Whats worse is I went to the recruiter because I knew that some of my classmates had been hired but I hadn't heard anything. She said, "well I can offer you a LTC position or home health" I wanted to learn more about what home health does so she made an appointment for me to meet with another recruiter to talk about what they do. I went in the next day to talk to her and she tells me don't have any positions in home health right now. So we both went to talk to the other recruiter and turns out she misspoke or something and I don't have ANY position at the hospital, or home health or anything.

I just can't believe this. I asked the recruiter, my manager and the cardiac manager why I wasn't considered. I was told that I appeared insecure and not confident in the interview and one of them felt I wasn't "excited" enough about working there. Now I thought I had networked and built relationships with these people and that everything wasn't going to be based solely on the interview. I admit that I was nervous but I had prepared for the interview and practiced ahead of time. I was told there were many applicants and few positions and they had to be very picky about the interview process. I was also told there was nothing in my work performance or history that affected the decision.

I am really starting to wonder about this place and if I even want to continue working there. The recruiter told me to pass my boards and they will "find something for me." After all this crap, I feel like I can't trust anybody there now.

So my question is - I am still working as a CNA there and on February 1st my classmates will begin working there as nurses and I'll still be a CNA. One of my classmates will be working over me as a nurse on my floor. I just dont' know how I'm going to tolerate this and be cheerful and show what a good "sport" I am or whatever. I have another job as a travel CNA and I make double what the hospital pays me. I am wondering if I should just quit my hospital job. I have decided to look anyplace around the country for a nursing position. I really wanted a hospital position and I thought I had a greater chance by working there but that isn't true in this case. What do you think I should do?

[freeflowchi]

I am so sorry you had this experience. I had a similar thing happen to me in the hospital I spent two years in doing clinicals. Great rapport with everyone, good feedback from managers, excellent references from instructors, etc. I could not even secure an interview. I knew some of the managers and nurses personally outside the hospital as friends and they could not wait to start working with me.

I came to the conclusion that for some reason, the hospital did not want me there. I had a lot of difficulty with HR. There was definitely something discriminatory happening. I made appearance after appearance with follow up phone calls, emails and messages. Nothing was working. Many of my classmates were hired immediately and without much effort. I believe my problem was too much confidence. I know how difficult it must be for you to consider working as a CNA there with your classmates supervising you. This is something I could not easily deal with either.

I decided to move out of that small town to a larger place. I know this might not be possible, but I encourage you to consider it. I still have not found a position, but I believe I will soon. I am choosing to work for someone who will value what I have to offer, rather than fight a losing battle. Even if you eventually do get hired, you may still have some difficulty or resistance later. If they don't want you, look elsewhere. Network. Tell your instructors what happened and ask their advice. Get recommendations about other places or positions. Ask them where they believe your best talents lie. You might find that a non-hospital position works out better for you.

Most of all, please know you are not alone in this. It happens all the time in every town to someone.

Good luck!

[Canggih1]

Freeflowchi,

Thank you so much for responding!! I have seen your previous posts and I'm sorry about what you have gone through. I found out another girl who had been working at this hospital for six years didn't get hired either. It is becoming apparent to me that this hospital is not interested in hiring me for any position. At the recruiters suggestion, I applied for a TCU position. One of my classmates did clinicals there and said it was awesome and they practically begged her to apply because they need nurses so bad there. I applied. They haven't even looked at my application. I left a voicemail. No response.

So I've made some plans. I'm moving out of my place at the end of the month. I have been talking with an agency in WI that sounds interested in hiring me as a CNA. The pay is alot higher than here. So if the job works out, I will move to WI and look there for a nursing position. If I can't find anything there, I will look all over the country. I am excited about moving and starting over. I really believe everything happens for a reason.

Thanks for the support!!

[Canggih1]

Freeflowchi,

I hope you see this message. I just wanted to let you know, I did move to Wisconsin and three weeks later got a nursing position! I will be working on a rehab unit at a LTC/rehab facility. I am excited and I love the area that I've moved to.

I hope you find something soon.