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 anyjob 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
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.
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...
Wow, this is a delimma. Having gone/going through all the things you listed (We seem to have alot in common) and having to look for a job for two years, which included moving my children twice....I would go to the interview. You still have graduation right? and get to walk across the stage right.
Maybe you could send your daughter? across the stage for your pinning in your absence with your family in the audience? That is something I think could be cool if I was in your situation....and you join as soon as you can? Or could you get there in time if they did your name last? Just some ideas.
That baby comes first and you will be kicking yourself 6 months from now if you can't provide for your child plus you not being able to provide for your child is something your ex can use against you Im sure your parents would like to see you get pinned but I bet they would love to hear that you got a job
Go to the interview. Pinning will be old news in a few hours but not having a job is something you won't forget and even if you do find a job a couple of months down the line, GOOD opportunities like the one you have are hard to find.
Of course, you can always ask if you can reschedule.
I have to wonder what will become of these nonsense hiring practices when the market for nurses starts drying up again.
You can ask if there is some arrangement that can me made but I wouldn't skip the interview. In the end if your possible future employer knows you were willing to miss your pinning they might see how dedicated an employee you would be.
Getting a panel interview together isn't easy. Most of the staff nurses are probably coming in on their day off or before shift, or being pulled from the floor. It might be too hard for them to rearrange it.
Go to the interview. You should feel very proud to have reached this level and they clearly are very interested.
Just one tiny recommendation, I would edit your post to remove the identifying information. You never know who is reading the boards. More importantly, as you transition from student to nurse, you'll likely share and seek support here from the allnurses members. You don't want anyone to be able to tie you and any comments back to a specific job.
Not meaning to sound nit picky at all, just an abundance of caution in looking out for you.
Go for the job interview!!! This is your life and you need a job to survive. The Pinning ceremony is nice but today's world a job is very hard to come by. Do not pass up this opportunity. You do not have a dilemma...just prepare for the interview.
Thanks again guys!!! I guess I didn't really have a dilemma after all! I think I just needed assurance from wiser minds that I made the right decision! And what a GREAT Christmas gift it'll be if I get the position!
First of all--GO TO THE INTERVIEW! Don't ask for any favors in regards to rearranging the interview time, as they have already said that this was the only time that worked for them.
But here's my twist: how about asking 1-3 of your favorite nursing teachers to do a private pinning ceremony? I would think that if you explained your situation, those special-to-you teachers (and we all seem to have them) would like to do something special for you and your family.
My pin was pawned to survive when I did not have enough work.
I live in a struggling area with high unemployment.
I would not miss the interview, but I might make a request for a different time with an explanation about the pinning ceremony and strongly state that I intend to keep the interview as scheduled, but request this consideration.
When I graduated, I applied at 5 hospitals and every one of them offered me a job. Times have changed. I have struggling friends who are underemployed and I have been on lay off 2 times in the last 3 months. I am so grateful to be able to pay for the basics at this time.
When an interview or a job is turned down, they just go to the next person on the list. The lists of applicants is long and plentiful in this area.
elprup, BSN, RN
1,005 Posts
Wow, this is a delimma. Having gone/going through all the things you listed (We seem to have alot in common) and having to look for a job for two years, which included moving my children twice....I would go to the interview. You still have graduation right? and get to walk across the stage right.
Maybe you could send your daughter? across the stage for your pinning in your absence with your family in the audience? That is something I think could be cool if I was in your situation....and you join as soon as you can? Or could you get there in time if they did your name last? Just some ideas.
Hope you get the job!!!