Huge Dilemma...please help!

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hi, everyone! I'm pretty new here and I'm a brand new grad, :grad: albeit a 36-year-old grad! I need input on making a pretty big decision...I live in the Norfolk/Va Beach area of Virginia (also known as the Tidewater or Hampton Roads area) and RN jobs are pretty hard to come by here, as it is in most of the country. Relocating is impossible, as my miserable ex-husband will not "allow" me to move with my daughter (long story for a different board) We have 3 hospital affiliations here...Sentara, Bon Secours, and an independent hospital called Chesapeake Regional.

Three weeks ago I spoke with the nurse recruiter at Bon Secours who acknowledged my online application and resume and told me to "be on the lookout" for some openings at the company. In my endless search for any job on the internet, I came across a posting for an "information session" for an emergency nursing fellowship with Bon Secours. It sounds like a wonderful residency program...a lot of intense training over a 6 month orientation, but a formal support system for a new grad like me for another 6 months after that. I mingled with the nurse recruiter, nurse managers, dept heads, and nurse educators at the session. The next day, I was scheduled for a telephone interview...YIPEE! That was last Thursday and took 2 hours...Whew! I came away feeling good, sent the thank you card, prayed and waited. Monday, I got the call for a follow-up PANEL INTERVIEW...Again, YAY for me! I survived the panel interview of 12 people yesterday (12/10/10)...which leads me to my dilemma :confused:

The nurse recruiter just called me today and told me that everyone was very impressed with me and they would like me to return for a PEER INTERVIEW. Nothing is on the table yet, though...The HUGE dilemma is that she said the peer interviews are to take place next Thursday on December 16th between 12:00 and 4:00 pm. Great, right?! Well, after 4 yrs of struggling through nursing school as a middle-aged single mother with fibromyalgia, going through a nasty divorce and custody battle, and no family in the area for support, I can finally be proud of myself for my accomplishments and look forward to a new life for my daughter and I.

However, my PINNING ceremony is the same day as the interview, and my mom is coming down from Philly and my dad is flying in from Florida. I have to be at the hall for pinning at 10:00 am, even though it doesn't start till 2:00 pm and ends at 4:00. No iffs, ands, or butts (I tried). And, even if I can persuade the recruiter to let me interview that evening, I'd never make it in rush hour traffic. I'm asking for advice because I don't know what to do. :crying2:

The pinning means a lot to me, but jobs are SO hard to come by...I'd kick myself if I declined and find myself sitting here 6 months from now still without a job (or badly needed health insurance!) I blurted out that Thursday was my pinning ceremony, but she said that this is the only day/time slot they have for the interview. I don't even have a clue as to how many of us are up for the position. I'd also kick myself if I skipped my pinning for an interview where I had little chance to make it. Plus, talk about going through the ringer...I had one "informal" interview on the phone, then a formal telephone interview for 2 hrs, then a panel interview for 30 minutes with 9 head honchos...I don't even know what a peer interview is, or what my chances are...

ADVICE PLEASE!! And, sorry for the long post

LisLis

Specializes in Emergency Dept, Med-Surg.

Wow...I have to say you guys are AWESOME!!! Thank you everyone for the support! I guess I had already made up my mind, but needed to realize I was making the right one! You all really hit the nail on the head when you said that the pinning ceremoy would make a nice memory, but a good job will bring so much more. Now that I say it, it sounds pretty obvious. It would be different if I was 23, lived at home, and could pass up a job because there will "always be more opportunities"...Emergency nursing was not anything I considered before, but this new fellowship sounds like a wonderful, supportive opportunity for a new grad and the more I think about it, the more I want

it :heartbeat

I was a stay-at-home mom for years, so I did not know how to gauge my chances for this position...After all, I already mingled with them at an informal meeting session, then a 2 hr phone interview, then panel interview, and now a "peer" interview. Any pointers besides the obvious professional dress, eye contact, thank you notes, etc?

Thanks again, guys! As my daughter says, "YOU ROCK!" :nurse:

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Are people on here crazy?! Go to the interview, your opening sentence said it all! there are NO jobs for new grads in your area and you got LUCKY! Tell your parents the GREAT news you got a job and they will be 10x more happy on the phone than coming to your pinning ceremony as a "required presence of support"

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Go to the interview. Do not even ask if things can be rearranged for the pinning, you're on a good roll with them, you don't want to risk messing anything up. I agree with another post that you should try to mention it in the interview in order to hopefully get kudos for the sacrifice. Actions speak louder then words. :D

Good luck!!!

I agree. If it were me, I wouldn't bring it up at all though. It could backfire and make you look like you're trying to be some sort of martyr or looking for special consideration.

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Hi, everyone! I'm pretty new here and I'm a brand new grad, :grad: albeit a 36-year-old grad! I need input on making a pretty big decision...I live in the Norfolk/Va Beach area of Virginia (also known as the Tidewater or Hampton Roads area) and RN jobs are pretty hard to come by here, as it is in most of the country. Relocating is impossible, as my miserable ex-husband will not "allow" me to move with my daughter (long story for a different board) We have 3 hospital affiliations here...Sentara, Bon Secours, and an independent hospital called Chesapeake Regional.

Three weeks ago I spoke with the nurse recruiter at Bon Secours who acknowledged my online application and resume and told me to "be on the lookout" for some openings at the company. In my endless search for any job on the internet, I came across a posting for an "information session" for an emergency nursing fellowship with Bon Secours. It sounds like a wonderful residency program...a lot of intense training over a 6 month orientation, but a formal support system for a new grad like me for another 6 months after that. I mingled with the nurse recruiter, nurse managers, dept heads, and nurse educators at the session. The next day, I was scheduled for a telephone interview...YIPEE! That was last Thursday and took 2 hours...Whew! I came away feeling good, sent the thank you card, prayed and waited. Monday, I got the call for a follow-up PANEL INTERVIEW...Again, YAY for me! I survived the panel interview of 12 people yesterday (12/10/10)...which leads me to my dilemma :confused:

The nurse recruiter just called me today and told me that everyone was very impressed with me and they would like me to return for a PEER INTERVIEW. Nothing is on the table yet, though...The HUGE dilemma is that she said the peer interviews are to take place next Thursday on December 16th between 12:00 and 4:00 pm. Great, right?! Well, after 4 yrs of struggling through nursing school as a middle-aged single mother with fibromyalgia, going through a nasty divorce and custody battle, and no family in the area for support, I can finally be proud of myself for my accomplishments and look forward to a new life for my daughter and I.

However, my PINNING ceremony is the same day as the interview, and my mom is coming down from Philly and my dad is flying in from Florida. I have to be at the hall for pinning at 10:00 am, even though it doesn't start till 2:00 pm and ends at 4:00. No iffs, ands, or butts (I tried). And, even if I can persuade the recruiter to let me interview that evening, I'd never make it in rush hour traffic. I'm asking for advice because I don't know what to do. :crying2:

The pinning means a lot to me, but jobs are SO hard to come by...I'd kick myself if I declined and find myself sitting here 6 months from now still without a job (or badly needed health insurance!) I blurted out that Thursday was my pinning ceremony, but she said that this is the only day/time slot they have for the interview. I don't even have a clue as to how many of us are up for the position. I'd also kick myself if I skipped my pinning for an interview where I had little chance to make it. Plus, talk about going through the ringer...I had one "informal" interview on the phone, then a formal telephone interview for 2 hrs, then a panel interview for 30 minutes with 9 head honchos...I don't even know what a peer interview is, or what my chances are...

ADVICE PLEASE!! And, sorry for the long post

LisLis

I understand how important pinning is to you- it's a big accomplishment to get through nursing school, and your family is coming to recognize that with you.

But....you'll still be just as much a graduate if you don't go to the pinning ceremony. Go to the interview, and maybe you can go out to dinner afterward with your parents?

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This depends on what your priorities are. If you can't life without the pinning ceremony and can live without a job then go down that road. If you can't live without a job and can live without the pinning ceremony then go down that road.

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Specializes in PP, Pediatrics, Home Health.

Attend the interview!You sound like you did an awesome job as they now want you for a peer interview!Congratulations on graduating and all the hard work that you got through to make it this far!Good luck with the peer interview and I pray that all goes well with you!

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I went to Excelsior so I don't even know what a pinning is, and I think I'm doing OK. I'm a single parent also, and my job is my lifeline. Nailing this great job opportunity should be your highest priority. The internship is worth a fortune for your career, job satisfaction, and future performance. Good luck!

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I'm in the area as well..and am wondering where you graduated from, what degree you got (ADN, BSN) and how long it took you to find this offer? I'm entering nursing school this January, I live in Norfolk and am wondering about any tips/suggestions you've got that might help me! :) wishing you the best with this job, it sounds like you've got it!

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Geesh, good luck! I have no idea what I would do, but I think I might go to the interview over the ceremony.

I live in Hampton Roads too and it is tough out here, from what I hear from nurses. Have you looked into Riverside or federal jobs on base or at the VA?

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

IMO you'd be crazy to miss the interview. Keep in mind that opportunities like the one you have been handed are few and far between...and it's not like there's a shortage of new grads: there's an army of them waiting to step into that job should you decide not to go to the interview...and Bon Secours knows that.

I agree with the other posters in that pinning is a wonderful memory...but the pinning ceremony isn't going to land you a job. That interview just may.

Good luck whatever you decide!

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I would go to the interview. I know you are disappointed, but... you gotta think about this opportunity for a job in these tough times. Your mom will understand. Best of luck.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

You've gotten a lot of great advice. Personally I would talk to the recruiter and explain that is when your pinning ceremony is and family from out of town has come to watch you graduate. Let her know that in the end the job is the most important thing to you and you wont pass it up but if there is anyway to reschedule that without it interfering with you getting the job that you would greatly appreciate it.

Best of luck and keep us updated.

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