I feel so duped!

[NeoPediRN]

I had an interview with a local children's hospital back in October. The HR managed chose my resume, phone interviewed me, then called me to come in for an interview. I didn't nag or push for it, it seemed like they just liked me. I was offered the job but they had to rescind the position altogether because the nurse whose place I was taking ended up not leaving. They (HR/NM) told me they liked me a lot and really wanted me to come on board because they believed I was an excellent fit, and that they were going to an administration meeting regarding budget and were going to ask for approval for one 36 hour position which would be mine. I received a call that same day after the meeting and was told that the position was approved for the next fiscal marking(? can't remember the official name for it), which was in January. I was told I would be contacted middle of January about a start date. I called today to check in and the HR manager acted as if she didn't even know who I was! She asked if I was the person who started at the nursing home, and I told her no, I'm the nurse who was offered a position for January. She softly said, "oh" and then "honey have you had any other interviews?" I told her yes, one, but haven't heard back on it. She said she was sorry, that they were in the same place they were in during October, and that their census was at an all-time low because managed care is no longer approving stays they used to and because insurance companies are only paying minimum to get patients in and out...she said this wasn't working for them because they care for such high acuity patients (they are a referral hospital without an ED and get transfers from most of the major Boston hospitals when a child is too stable for the ICU but needs longer than a typical short stay) and they aren't able to get the patients discharged when insurance says it's time to go. I believe her about this, but we spoke in November again and she told me the position was mine and she would call me if anything changed and to call her if I obtained another position. I wasn't sure I would be able to afford to hold out financially because my student loans went into repayment in December but told her I would try because I wanted the job. I'm very disappointed that she didn't let me know the position was no longer available. If I don't get the job I just interviewed for (which is my dream job in the NICU that I have been waiting forever to interview for) I am REALLY, REALLY screwed. The pay for this hospital is terrible ($24/hour in Boston) and the benefits are expensive ($260/month for insurance, no employer contribution dental) but it would have been worth it to get the experience and keep my per diem job for extra money. My heart is in my throat right now. The best part of the entire phone conversation is that she told me to keep in touch. She didn't even remember that she offered me a position (complete with forms to fill out and return in January!) but yes, I'll be sure to keep in touch so I can be screwed over again. I just wish she would've called me when she realized this was going to happen instead of two weeks before we were supposed to get things rolling, especially because she claims to understand how difficult the job market is in this area. If I hadn't called her then I have no doubt she never would've called me to let me know there was no longer a position at all.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

Hang in there. I can imagine how frustrated and angry you must be feeling right now. This hasn't happened to me yet, but realist that I am it probably will. I read about how your NICU interview went. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

As for your student loans, you can put them into an unemployment deferment. It gives you 3-6 months breathing space and stops payments due. I've had mine in deferment most of last year, and just put them back into it. The interest still accrues though.

[Jules A, MSN]

I'm sorry this happened to you. It is incredibly rude but I'm sure they didn't want to let a good nurse get away just in case "something" opened up, sigh. I had a prospective part-time employer do something similar to me although I didn't wait for them to approve the position. I found another job even though it wasn't my first choice. Nine months later the nurse recruiter was still telling me she was working on getting my position approved, lol. Yeah look for me I'll be the blue lady...the one holding my breath.

[Mr Ian]

Not sure on your local employment laws - but here, a verbal offer of a job is as binding as a contract.

But there's nothing in writing so they'll deny....

[KalipsoRed]

I'm sorry about how you were treated. That is so incrediably inconsiderate and rude, not to mention financially life threatening! I hope that your NICU job comes through. Good luck.

[oldiebutgoodie, RN]

Unfortunately, my first job out of college ended that way. I was promised the job, and then (despite the fact that I moved to the city where the job was, got an apartment, etc. ) was later told they did not get the funding.

Lessons I learned:

1. Never trust an employer until you have the employment letter in hand with the offer in writing.

2. Well, never trust an employer.

3. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

4. Sometimes lousy outcomes bring better opportunities.

5. Life isn't fair, but there will be times that life makes up for it later.

And, as an editor of the old City News Bureau of Chicago once said, "If your mother says she loves you, check it out."

And the last lesson I learned:

6. Things usually work out, just not right away.

Good luck,

Oldiebutgoodie