HCA Interview

Published

Is there anyone that recently had an interview with an HCA facility for the new grad residency? Can you please share your experience and the type of questions that they asked? I have one coming up and I'm super nervous. This is my first interview as a new grad and I'm ready to nail the interview and start working.

Specializes in Corrections, Surgical.
2 minutes ago, bitter_betsy said:

I didn't even get to the interview stage before I decided it was a no go for me. While the recruiter from the hospital north of me was fantastic, I still have not spoken with the recruiter from south of me. I decided I wanted to go south (easier drive) and then covid happened and I have yet to hear from them (aside from the email that said we will contact you for an interview after covid settles down and they haven't contacted any of us). Regardless of what is going on, some sort of follow up at some point in time is warranted. If it was some other job I could see them not being back at work, but this is a hospital... not the way I want to start a career.

I know it's a residency program but are you looking at Florida location and what specialty? It really depends on the hospital, I applied to so many places and when I check the process online a lot says application recieved. Very few send out emails saying that you're not in consideration or that they are going with other candidates. I guess HR doesnt have the time if they are getting hundreds of applications for the same position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 6/2/2020 at 6:18 PM, bitter_betsy said:

I didn't even get to the interview stage before I decided it was a no go for me. While the recruiter from the hospital north of me was fantastic, I still have not spoken with the recruiter from south of me. I decided I wanted to go south (easier drive) and then covid happened and I have yet to hear from them (aside from the email that said we will contact you for an interview after covid settles down and they haven't contacted any of us). Regardless of what is going on, some sort of follow up at some point in time is warranted. If it was some other job I could see them not being back at work, but this is a hospital... not the way I want to start a career.

I completely understand how you feel. Getting a job as a new grad has been so challenging and COVID made it worse. I decided to move to Florida from up north when I graduated- it did not happen the way I expected hahaha. I graduated with my BSN in August, top of my class- made great grades, was inducted into the honor society. I was also a mentor to junior students and have prior clinical experience etc. Despite all of that I had a few employers that reached out but the offers were not equitable. I really wanted to avoid settling for less. I didn't get a decent job offer until early February. Less than a month before the start date in May the recruiter told me that HCA had to rescind the offer because of COVID. She also said not to worry as soon as it was open she would call me back?. I've reached out to her a few times but its seems as if she doesn't have any real answers. Since then I've applied to any other hospital I could find. I just received an email regarding an interview with another HCA facility- hopefully it goes smoothly. All that to say don't give up and don't settle for less! Keep applying you will eventually find the right position or the one that's on hold will come through. All the best to you in your job search!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Corrections, Surgical.
32 minutes ago, UnicornsnRainbows28 said:

I completely understand how you feel. Getting a job as a new grad has been so challenging and COVID made it worse. I decided to move to Florida from up north when I graduated- it did not happen the way I expected hahaha. I graduated with my BSN in August, top of my class- made great grades, was inducted into the honor society. I was also a mentor to junior students and have prior clinical experience etc. Despite all of that I had a few employers that reached out but the offers were not equitable. I really wanted to avoid settling for less. I didn't get a decent job offer until early February. Less than a month before the start date in May the recruiter told me that HCA had to rescind the offer because of COVID. She also said not to worry as soon as it was open she would call me back?. I've reached out to her a few times but its seems as if she doesn't have any real answers. Since then I've applied to any other hospital I could find. I just received an email regarding an interview with another HCA facility- hopefully it goes smoothly. All that to say don't give up and don't settle for less! Keep applying you will eventually find the right position or the one that's on hold will come through. All the best to you in your job search!!

Part of me wants to wait and see if there will be another round of new grad surgical residency or a periop 101 program later on this year, another part of me is thinking I should just settle and take whatever I can get for now for hospital experience. I had an offer for a med surg/oncology unit and turned it down because the pay was terrible and I got a better paying job out of state. Big mistake that was. I ended up quitting the new job on orientation because there was dangerous practices going on (getting a patient without any type of report from intake!). I have a PRN job at corrections so I'm not without pay but still... I hate to complain because so many people have gotten it worse than me but this is the absolute time to become a new grad and who knows what effects Covid will have in the time to come. Many people without jobs and insurance so going to the hospital and getting non essential surgeries will be at the bottom of their list.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
2 minutes ago, bluescrubs said:

Part of me wants to wait and see if there will be another round of new grad surgical residency or a periop 101 program later on this year, another part of me is thinking I should just settle and take whatever I can get for now for hospital experience. I had an offer for a med surg/oncology unit and turned it down because the pay was terrible and I got a better paying job out of state. Big mistake that was. I ended up quitting the new job on orientation because there was dangerous practices going on (getting a patient without any type of report from intake!). I have a PRN job at corrections so I'm not without pay but still... I hate to complain because so many people have gotten it worse than me but this is the absolute time to become a new grad and who knows what effects Covid will have in the time to come. Many people without jobs and insurance so going to the hospital and getting non essential surgeries will be at the bottom of their list.

Yeah I completely understand, I felt a bit guilty about complaining. I am super grateful that I haven't had it as bad as others. However, it is perfectly fine to feel frustrated with your own sucky circumstances due to COVID. We live and we learn don't look back on that opportunity who knows if you would've been happy with the med surg/onc job. I get wanting to settle but try to avoid it especially of you're making money where you are. I know a lot of nurses in my cohort that settled for the first few opportunities. Most all of them regret it and wish they would've made a different decision. I say either keep the corrections job or find one willing to to hire you without a contractual agreement. That way once an opportunity for a surgical residency comes up you'll be free to take it. I know some home health agencies love new grads and won't require a contract. Also outpatient surgical centers/offices may or may not be hiring right now. Going back to surgical or periop residencies, you can always relate what you do with corrections and how it requires cohesive teamwork when transferring and caring for inmates. That'd be great to compare to the OR and how everyone has an individual task that works toward one main goal-the patient/ patient safety. Corrections is also a great way to let them know you can handle a high stress environment/situations that require quick thinking! I know it can become really annoying but I LIVE on the internet- zip-recruiter, indeed, ihirenursing, etc.-just keep looking. Try visiting the websites for a few residencies you're interested in and join their talent network. Even though some places aren't actively hiring new grads they're having virtual chat sessions. That's a great way to sort of introduce yourself and get information (win-win ?). Sometimes some listings will even give the email for the recruiter and you can send a letter of interest. If it's a large company like HCA or AdventHealth don't be afraid to contact HR and ask about residency info/ plans. Just don't give up if that's really your dream. Delayed does not mean denied- if anything your perseverance and persistence will make for an awesome "Why should we hire you?" answer. ☺️

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion