How do you tell a nurse recruiter you're not interested in a specific floor

danceyrun · Apr 12, 2014

I wouldn't rule anything out without first checking it out for myself. What makes you say it's the "worst floor"? I'd go in for the interview and ask for a shadow experience. Better than no job

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 12, 2014

If you are a new grad, YOU DON'T. New grad jobs are very hard to come by and you'd be foolish to toss any opportunity way without checking it out. Also, if you start getting too finicky about where you'll work as a new grad, you run the risk of their tossing your application and moving on to the next applicant.

Otherwise...I agree with danceyrun: I would go on the interview and learn more about the floor itself before I made a decision about it. After all, going on the interview doesn't mean you're committing to anything--if you don't like the floor and/or job after checking it out, you are free to politely decline: you can say that you didn't feel that you and the position were a good fit.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2014

I wouldn't rule anything out without first checking it out for myself. What makes you say it's the "worst floor"? I'd go in for the interview and ask for a shadow experience. Better than no job

I recently finished my clinicals on that floor. It's pretty terrible actually. PCU 12 pt's on nights. Scary stuff. There are four hospitals in my area, I can easily go to another one, and I already work at a hospital, but this particular hospital with the floor I'm not interested has a lovely specialty area that hires new grads. I'm still very interested in working at this hospital but I don't want to offend the nurse recruiter.

This is good advice though. Thank you!

IRF-Nurse · Apr 13, 2014

Have to agree with above posts... if you're not interested in that position, say so but with a kindness to your tone... say that you don't feel it would be a good long term fit (most hiring managers don't want someone that's just going to leave in a few months).

It is entirely acceptable to say "I'm very interested in XYZ specialty area, and would love to interview if you get an opening there. However, I don't feel that I'm a good long term fit for the role in the unit, since my long term goals includ XYZ specialty."

A good manager, and a good recruiter, aren't looking for a quick hire... they're looking for a person who will be a good long term fit.

And know that when you do that, you ARE taking some significant risks... I turned down my first new grad offer (med surg) in hopes of another position I was "sure" I had... I didn't get the L&D job I wanted and spent the next 6 months in SNF... that decision to be picky cost me dearly. Good Luck in your search.

Elinor · Apr 16, 2014

Go positive. Rather than saying anything at all negative about this floor, express that you are also interested in the other positions. Learn everything you can about the position(s) you DO want, and then talk about why you would be a good fit for them, with specifics about yourself and your strengths and previous experiences.

Also go along with interviewing for the floor you don't want for now, just redirect her so she will consider you for the other positions, then continue to express enthusiasm about them. See if you can meet one-on-one with her first, before the interview with the unit director, so you can talk about the other positions without her there. If you can't, then talk to her about it over the phone.

Again, avoid any statement that could be perceived as being at all negative for now. Later, when she's opened the discussion to other units, you can make your preferences more clear.

WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN · Apr 17, 2014

I got it all worked out. I told the recruiter that while I had enjoyed my time on this unit that I did not feel it was the right match for me. The recruiter then offered me an interview with another floor after I told what I was interested in. Thank you guys so much for the help!