HOLY CRAP! I missed my job interview!

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I have been preparing for the NCLEX basically 12 hours a day for two weeks. I had a job interview last week and this week! Last week I made it early and got a job offer in my inbox by the time I drove home. This week I got my dates mixed up!!!!

I thought my interview was TODAY but it was YESTERDAY!!!

I had contacted nursing recruitment via email last night (it was too late to call) and I called this morning, but nursing recruitment has it set up so that the receptionist is a recording and you have to push some buttons and then leave a voice-mail. No option of getting in contact with a recruiter personally.

I can't leave a voicemail discussing my problem not knowing who will listen to it, so I gave my name and number and expressed the need to speak to the specific recruiter I had previously been in contact with. In the email I sent to the nurse recruiter I did apologize and tell them how I was completely devastated and I had just been at a loss of time preparing for my NCLEX and wanted to reschedule.

So far, no contact. But it usually took a few days in the past. But this is dire! I cannot believe I have done such a thing! I even went for a trial run to the hospital yesterday, its over an hour away, I was right there!! And in my mind I thought the interview was today!! This is so out of my character. I had pressed my outfit, gathered all my information, and wanted to double check on the email that I had everything they requested.. and there it was.. "June 24, 2008". My jaw dropped.

This is a very elite hospital, with a great psychiatric program for new grads (the position I was interviewing for). Which leads me to believe it is very competitive. It is my dream to learn in grow in the facility, they have the best orientation program (lasting a year including classroom instruction).

Is there any chance I didn't just blow this opportunity? :crying2:

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Not to sound harsh, but if you don't get the call back then that is not the direction your life is supposed to go! Very cliche, but everything happens for a reason! Good luck! :up:

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Not to sound harsh, but if you don't get the call back then that is not the direction your life is supposed to go! Very cliche, but everything happens for a reason! Good luck! :up:

I know that. I firmly believe that some things are meant to be. I just wanted a chance (which I suppose I had... yesterday). I don't think that there is any way to make myself look better in the eyes of my employer.

I'm trying not to fret too much because I do have that other job lined up. I am also trying not to get worked up for the NCLEX, which is in two days!

I just wanted to see if this hospital was a good fit for me, the job I had gotten in a complete opposite of what this is. My first job interview was casual (the recruiter was wearing jeans), and was scheduled on the whim in two days. I know if I missed that they would reschedule no problem. The job itself required a ten day orientation and then I am a charge nurse and the only RN on shift in my unit.

The job I missed on the other hand, they scheduled me in a month in advance. It is a very large, popular hospital. They consider them elite, as they are world renowned. Their orientation lasts a year, including work outside of the hospital. I wanted to have to option of the two completely different lifestyles to get a feel for which one I would like more.

Both are psych positions, and both are with children and adolescents. So in essence both are my dream job. I just thought that I would be better prepared for future endeavors if I was able to be in a complex orientation program versus jumping into being a charge nurse having to call all the shots after one week! I'm a new grad here! :confused:

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I just got in touch with the nurse recruiter and they rescheduled me! What does everyone think? Will my chances be lessoned when being considered for a job, even though I have been politely rescheduled?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I just got in touch with the nurse recruiter and they rescheduled me! What does everyone think? Will my chances be lessoned when being considered for a job, even though I have been politely rescheduled?

My thoughts are that they probably wouldn't be wasting either of your time by rescheduling you if they weren't still interested in hiring you so best of luck!

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My thoughts are that they probably wouldn't be wasting either of your time by rescheduling you if they weren't still interested in hiring you so best of luck!

I was thinking the very same thing! Thank you very much for your input!

On the down side (sort of down, everything is up now that I have a second chance), they can't fit me in for two weeks, and after my boards I am supposed to contact the other employer who offered me a job. Considering I have heard the interview process could take weeks before they decide if you have a job or not, what should I tell the other employer? If I tell them I am waiting for another job opportunity they would lose interest with me. How can I keep this job opportunity open, in case this other job interview decides not to hire me weeks down the road?

I am so new at this job haggling business!

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I was thinking the very same thing! Thank you very much for your input!

On the down side (sort of down, everything is up now that I have a second chance), they can't fit me in for two weeks, and after my boards I am supposed to contact the other employer who offered me a job. Considering I have heard the interview process could take weeks before they decide if you have a job or not, what should I tell the other employer? If I tell them I am waiting for another job opportunity they would lose interest with me. How can I keep this job opportunity open, in case this other job interview decides not to hire me weeks down the road?

I am so new at this job haggling business!

Just be honest and upfront at your interview and let them know that you do have another job offer and would like to know either way in a timely manner. It sounds promising for you especially since they are rescheduling you. I hope it all goes well for you - and good luck with the NCLEX!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

If they called you back, then they must still be interested in you ! I would make appologies and then knock them out with a GREAT interview ! Hey, these things happen. Good luck to you ! :loveya:

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Just be honest and upfront at your interview and let them know that you do have another job offer and would like to know either way in a timely manner. It sounds promising for you especially since they are rescheduling you. I hope it all goes well for you - and good luck with the NCLEX!

Thank you very much for your comments! I really think I have a chance with this second employer. I praise them every chance I get, remind them that they are my dream. They are definitely one of the most elite hospitals in the nation. Would it not downplay them just a little if I told them to I needed a prompt decision so I could give the other employer a yes or a no? I have heard they can take weeks to decide. If they rescheduled my interview two weeks later, does that mean the weeks in between are full of people interviewing for the same position?!

And how do I post pone the other position? Should I be honest? I mean I'm sure I can fill a couple days with shadow days so I can get a feel for the position, but this facility isn't used to giving shadow days for people who are not hired.. they are that small.

How long is too long to ask an employer to hold an offer. I'm not even sure if they have any other prospective nurses, because I'm a new grad and they have a week long orientation program and they want me to fill a charge nurse position, and they offered the job within an hour of the interview.

I'm torn!

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If they called you back, then they must still be interested in you ! I would make appologies and then knock them out with a GREAT interview ! Hey, these things happen. Good luck to you ! :loveya:

Thank you so much!

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I wouldn't expect the first place to hold the position for long for you, especially if you're waiting to hear about another offer. They have a position to fill, and they're already waiting for you to take your exam and get your license. I assume you've already accepted that one. It wouldn't really be right to keep them hanging too long while you wait for your dream job. It takes time for them to find someone to replace you.

Yes, during that two week period hospital number two is interviewing other people. It's not a sure thing for you. My recommendation would be not to gush too much. It gets annoying after a while and can smack of desperation. I think you would be safe asking them how long it will be before you hear from them. Do let them know you have other offers and need to decide as soon as possible. It probably won't hurry them along at all, though.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.

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Yea I agree it seems they are still interested. Just be yourself and have confidence. After the interview, wait a day or so and then maybe write a short to the point letter thanking them for their time and for the oppurtunity for the interview. Good luck on your interview!! :wshgrt:

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