Hr Headache!!!

blynn · Feb 15, 2006

Are you sure you want to work for these people??

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2006

Sounds like the run around to me. Imagine working there and trying to get a answer to anything. I guarentee you they are trained in this technique.

Unless you are very very positive you want to work for this place,, id let it go and move on to another facility.

Jolie, BSN · Feb 15, 2006

At the risk of getting flamed, I am going to try to present management's side of this.

First of all, if I understand correctly, you were hoping to obtain one of the "plus" positions on your current unit. I would strongly advise against any type of "float" position for a new grad. An RN must have a good foundation of basic nursing practice (assessment skills, knowledge base, clinical experience, prioritization, organization, pharmacology, knowledge of hospital policies, procedures and politics, confidence in dealing with doctors and families, etc.) before floating to any unit other than his/her "home base". Ideally, this takes 1-2 years to acheive. In the real world, I would not accept ANY job that would require me to float in the first 6 months of my employment. Even working an "off-shift" on your home unit can be dicey if there is not an identified mentor available to you. While your experience as a student extern had been valuable, it is not sufficient to prepare you to function independently as an RN, and should not qualify you for a float position. In a nutshell, any hospital or unit that would hire a new grad into a float position should be eyed with great suspicion, in my opinion. They would have done you no favors by offering you this type of position.

You mention that your nurse manager was aware of your graduation plans 9 months ago when she interviewed you. Have you updated her regularly on your progress towards graduation and your aspirations to obtain a permanent position on the unit? I don't know how large your unit is, or how much contact you have with the nurse manager. But I have worked in units that employed over 100 RNs (large NICU's staffed by 100-125 nurses), and it would have been impossible for the nurse manager to keep up with the graduation dates and job aspirations of each student on the unit. For that reason, requests for changes in job status must usually be submitted in writing, and are considered on a first come-first served basis.

Secondly, while I understand that it is frustrating to you as a currently employed applicant, it is necessary to provide all of the documentation that has been requested of you. Unlike your previous position, You are now applying for a job that requires licensure. That means that your institution must collect all the data necessary to be reasonably certain that you will qualify to sit for boards and be eligible to obtain a license. To do otherwise would constitute professional negligence on their part.

I also understand your frustration in dealing with the nurse manager vs. HR. But that is the nature of most healthcare institutions. Nurse managers know what positions they need to fill, but are not allowed to do so without approval of HR. So, for future reference, it is best to contact BOTH the manager of the unit which interests you AND HR at the same time. Follow up with phone calls to both departments, as decision making is usually a very slow process.

Again, I hear and understand your frustration at scheduling an interview, but it is in your best interests to do so at a time when you are dressed professionally, well rested, and prepared. Meeting with a manager when you are tired, hungry, and dressed in scrubs will not allow you to present yourself in your best light. You are interviewing for a professional nursing position, not as a student extern. They KNOW you can do that job, as you have done it for 9 months. You need to convince them that you are prepared to function at a higher level now, and that will require presenting a professional image.

The interviewing and hiring process is a long one. Be prepared to provide what is asked of you. If you believe that you are being treated unfairly, be prepared to look elsewhere.

Good luck!

hbncns35 · Feb 15, 2006

Thank you Jolie for putting the "float" position into perspective.

I have told HR that I am open and available to other departments on other floors for a variety of shifts.

I will be driving to their sister hospital where HR is located to drop off the necessary documentation so it will not get lost in the mail and so they will have it by my interview time next week.

I have let the decision of the interview time rest on the manager. There were two available times. One at clinical time and the other one the next day and there was another one in which I declined. I will recall HR and request the latter day for interviewing so I can be rested up and well dressed. It may be difficult to change my mind from clinical to interview at a drop of the hat.

Thank you for your input - I have worked in healthcare for 14 years so I do understand how frustrating it is but it is always difficult..........

As my grandfather always used to say " anything that is difficult is worthwhile" Some truth in that.....

I am just very disappointed in my NM since we had discussed in detail of the position available and my interest in the unit....within 2 weeks of HR's decision....MY NM did say after HR's decision, that I would not like that "plus" position so perhaps she did me a favor but I do know she felt regrets....HB

Jolie, BSN · Feb 15, 2006

I'm glad that your manager is providing you with a recommendation. That indicates that she was satisfied with your work. It's a shame that your current unit can not accomodate you as a new grad, but your manager may be instrumental in helping you to find a job on another unit. In addition to letting HR know that are interested in other units, contact those unit manager directly.

You are wise to hand deliver your documents to HR. Keep copies for yourself as well, and bring them in a folder to your interview, just in case HR misplaces them. That happens more often than you want to know!

Best of luck in your job search.

gr8rnpjt, RN · Feb 15, 2006

At the risk of getting flamed, I am going to try to present management's side of this.
First of all, if I understand correctly, you were hoping to obtain one of the "plus" positions on your current unit. I would strongly advise against any type of "float" position for a new grad. An RN must have a good foundation of basic nursing practice (assessment skills, knowledge base, clinical experience, prioritization, organization, pharmacology, knowledge of hospital policies, procedures and politics, confidence in dealing with doctors and families, etc.) before floating to any unit other than his/her "home base". Ideally, this takes 1-2 years to acheive. In the real world, I would not accept ANY job that would require me to float in the first 6 months of my employment. Even working an "off-shift" on your home unit can be dicey if there is not an identified mentor available to you. While your experience as a student extern had been valuable, it is not sufficient to prepare you to function independently as an RN, and should not qualify you for a float position. In a nutshell, any hospital or unit that would hire a new grad into a float position should be eyed with great suspicion, in my opinion. They would have done you no favors by offering you this type of position.
You mention that your nurse manager was aware of your graduation plans 9 months ago when she interviewed you. Have you updated her regularly on your progress towards graduation and your aspirations to obtain a permanent position on the unit? I don't know how large your unit is, or how much contact you have with the nurse manager. But I have worked in units that employed over 100 RNs (large NICU's staffed by 100-125 nurses), and it would have been impossible for the nurse manager to keep up with the graduation dates and job aspirations of each student on the unit. For that reason, requests for changes in job status must usually be submitted in writing, and are considered on a first come-first served basis.
Secondly, while I understand that it is frustrating to you as a currently employed applicant, it is necessary to provide all of the documentation that has been requested of you. Unlike your previous position, You are now applying for a job that requires licensure. That means that your institution must collect all the data necessary to be reasonably certain that you will qualify to sit for boards and be eligible to obtain a license. To do otherwise would constitute professional negligence on their part.
I also understand your frustration in dealing with the nurse manager vs. HR. But that is the nature of most healthcare institutions. Nurse managers know what positions they need to fill, but are not allowed to do so without approval of HR. So, for future reference, it is best to contact BOTH the manager of the unit which interests you AND HR at the same time. Follow up with phone calls to both departments, as decision making is usually a very slow process.
Again, I hear and understand your frustration at scheduling an interview, but it is in your best interests to do so at a time when you are dressed professionally, well rested, and prepared. Meeting with a manager when you are tired, hungry, and dressed in scrubs will not allow you to present yourself in your best light. You are interviewing for a professional nursing position, not as a student extern. They KNOW you can do that job, as you have done it for 9 months. You need to convince them that you are prepared to function at a higher level now, and that will require presenting a professional image.
The interviewing and hiring process is a long one. Be prepared to provide what is asked of you. If you believe that you are being treated unfairly, be prepared to look elsewhere.
Good luck!

excellent response. :nurse: