HELP! News might want to interview me!!!!

[StephieBRn]

Hi Everyone!

I am new to this site and I am so excited that I found it! I am a recent grad that is of course having problems finding a job! Big suprise right :)

Everyone is just amazed that I am not able to find a job they all keep saying but I thought there was a nursing shortage? So I decided to send in a news tip to the local station about what a misconception there is about being a new grad and trying to land a job and how I had an HR person contact me saying that they had 250+ applicants for 1 job and how frustrating it was.

Now they want to potentially interview me and I am wondering what your thoughts are about this? Do you think it is a good idea? I already work for a major hospital system and I am concerned about th ramifications. I will not to mention anything about them because I signed a contract but I am still worried about potentially loosing my job from this(that I have and need). Honestly I never thought that they would want to contact me for an interview. I guess I was naive.

Also do you think that something positive could come from this? Like maybe a job :)?

I have not made any further contact with the producer because I really wanted to go through the pros and cons before I made a decision.

Any input would be super helpful!!!!! Thanks in advance

[goodstudentnowRN]

This is very risky...be very careful...If you need the job you have presently, then, I would not go on that interview. As you mentioned, jobs are very hard to get:rolleyes:

[TDCHIM]

You have options. You can request that your identity not be used in the interview, for fear of losing your job. If you have recent grad friends who haven't been able to find jobs, perhaps you could refer the reporter to one of those individuals (with your friend's permission, of course). You can talk to your employer and ask if it's a problem for you to do such an interview. Honestly, the management folks might not mind - it could put the facility in a good light as one willing to take risks on new grads in the middle of a new-nurse glut.

Or, you can say the heck with what your employer says, do the interview, and count on the good publicity to help you land a different job. It's not totally unlikely, but it is by far the riskiest option.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

IMO, listen to your gut instincts. If you have any discomfort about doing this interview, then the answer is No, don't do it.

If you really do want to do the interview, then I agree with TDCHIM's advice. Contact your employer's PR department and let them know about the interview and see how they feel about it. If they don't mind, they'll probably they'll tell you what they'd like for you to talk about...and not talk about.

[wsuRN09]

I don't see why it would be a problem if a) you protect your identity and b) don't identify your current employer. Go for it. It would be really nice if the general public understood that our profession is not recession proof... well, at least for us new grads. I recently spoke with an in-law of mine who had been out of nursing for ten years and decided that she needed to go back to work for financial reasons so she walked into the hospital where she had her son some 25 years ago and... they hired her full time on the spot First place she went to. And then she was surprised when I told her how difficult it was for me to find my job, grrrrr! Anyway, didn't mean to highjack the thread with my mini vent. Go for it, get the word out, just cover your behind :)

[EmmyBee]

If you do get asked and decide to grant them the interview, I agree that you should conceal your identity and place of employment. Despite what you say during the interview, you never know what the final outcome will be. Due to the powers of editing, they can print or air something completely different than what you intended. It might sound silly to worry about, but it happens all the time. Good luck in your decision.

[StephieBRn]

Honey Bee- That was exactly what I was worried about... I kind of feel like if I need to conceal my identity I should probably not be doing it...I think I will give him all the information that I know and then decline to be on camera

If they want to make a story out of it that would be great but I am just not willing to put what I do have on the line for a "potential opportunity"

I agree with the go with your gut feeling and my gut has not been feeling real great about it....I just have too much to loose and not enough to gain....

Thanks to everyone for the advice I will let you know what the outcome is.

[grandee3]

You say you already work at a hospital.

Did I miss something, what is your position there? Do they have a hiring freeze, why are you not being offered a position where you work.

Just asking, Good luck!

[casi, ASN, RN]

I take it you are like me and sitting on a job as an aide in hopes that your employer or anyone might offer you a job as an RN.

If you are uncomfortable giving an interview suggest they go to local nursing schools (many follow up to see how their graduates are doing and maybe able to give statistics related to how many new grads are getting jobs). Also suggest they hit up some of the local hospitals to see if they make any statements about hiring new grads.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I can't think of anything you have to gain by doing an on-camera interview. It sounds "exciting and glamorous" to be on TV... but in reality, it has its downsides, too.

I would talk with my employer about and see how they feel about it. If they were hesitant, I wouldn't do it. You have little to gain ... but you could lose a whole lot if things go badly. And who knows, maybe your employer would want to help you in some way.

"Big risk + little gain = Don't do it" in my book.

[mimi_p]

Maybe you could refer the news organization to some of your classmates who didn't find employment, with their permission. They won't have the same employer issues as you do and the news would get their story.

I don't think schools would want to advertise that their graduates aren't finding employment. They wouldn't want to cooperate or give information that would compromise enrollment.

[StephieBRn]

gradee3- I work in the Physical Therapy Department as a rehab aide. I have had one interview for one new grad position that they had but I did not get the job....my pride and feelings are quite hurt but it was a learning experience.

Worst part is they are not on a hiring freeze they only had one new grad job. The place I work for has two other sister hospitals that I float too and they also do not have any new grad jobs.....It is just straight up depressing