HR posting day positions that don't exist...

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 18, 2015

I'm an experienced RN relocating across the country. To my surprise, I've seen postings for part-time day positions in my specialty. I get quick responses from HR and chat on the phone, followed by some sort of response that the manager is really interested in interviewing me, but the real need is for full-time nights and there is no day position. I'm aware that most nurses new to a facility generally start on nights, but is this some sort of bait-and-switch recruitment tactic, or just a way to feel out willingness to do nights? The day position remains posted. Has anyone else experienced this? It's just frustrating to put in effort applying to certain facilities based on shift availability that may not represent reality.

You're an experienced nurse -- surely you know that the day shift positions go to the staff with seniority. HR is required to post day shift positions when one is available. But in most cases, someone from night shift gets that position and the real opening is on night shift. I know it seems like a bait and switch tactic -- and it probably is, to some extent, because they probably KNOW they're going to fill that day slot from within. And they'll probably get a lot more applicants for that day position than they do for nights.

I've had more frustration with the "promotional opportunities" they post. They have to get a pool of X number of applicants before they start the interview process, but in most cases they already know who they want to hire (again from within) before they even post the position. So you go through the work of submitting your resume and an applicantion, buying a new interview suit, preparing for interviews and trucking yourself in during business hours (sometimes having worked the night before or the night of) and interviewing -- only to find out that they gave the job to the person they had chosen before they even posted the position. It took me three or four tries before I got hired . . . and realized that I actually preferred working nights, weekends and holidays at the bedside. Sigh.

SubSippi · Jul 18, 2015

Also, I know at my facility the manager will post a job that they're budgeted for, even if they don't need it at that time, because if it's not, it makes it look as though that position is not necessary, and administration could remove this position from their budget and then they won't have the option of hiring someone for that position in the future.

From what I understand, this is why you'll see jobs that are still posted from a year ago.

Barkow · Jul 18, 2015

Thanks for the input. I guess everywhere I've worked has simply transitioned the next in line person to days, and a night position is posted. Maybe the positions were posted internally or for a token period of time, but the day postings I'm seeing are weeks to months old. I have never personally even had the option of applying straight to a day job, only nights have been posted when I've applied in the past. Just seems like bad HR mojo, especially with potential external candidates, to start off a hiring relationship that way.

JaaaeyRN · Jul 18, 2015

At my job, the day shift posting from HR normally states that "only for employee from xxxxx unit"

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 18, 2015

Also keep in mind that even though they may have their desired candidate already picked out, they may still be required to post the position for a set time.

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2015

What Meriwhen said. Often they are posting positions that they have already hired internally for.

Jules A, MSN · Jul 18, 2015

As someone new coming to the area I would welcome the chance to chat with anyone in the industry even if it doesn't result in a direct job opportunity. Networking has been the way I have gotten my most fabulous opportunities and while HR is never on the top of my list they do have some power especially since it sounds like you don't know anyone there. Being extra friendly and articulate could result in another opportunity down the line. Good luck.