I had an interview today. Was going to get into the ICU, and my wife said as long as I apply myself and stick to it, we can continue to live in WA (the sweetest icing on the cake you can imagine, at least to me).
Did everything right. Iron dress shirt, tie pre tied, nice resume to take with me. Couldnt sleep the night before the interview. Stayed up ALL NIGHT. WHY? IDK.
So, I was tired in the interview and just not myself. I didnt do poorly, but I didnt wow them either. I think I needed to wow them in order to get into the ICU and get out of M/S. I had an answer to everything, and they were good, but I'm a great interviewer and I didnt........you know.......wow them. At one point, the fact that I am a travel nurse and my wife comes along with me came up. They put 2 and 2 together, realized she is a nurse too. Wanted to know if she planned on applying. I informed them she may remain in travel nursing, get jobs in the area so we can take advantage of the free housing until we find something more permanent. They got.......a little disturbed about that. So, I didnt add to the response. Then, when it came time for me to ask questions, I couldnt think of any. They had already answered everything I had to ask. Just sat there like a moron........:bugeyes:"No, thank your for your time" is all I could say. Yeah, shows I'm really interested in the position.
Pffft, whatever. Its outa my control now.
I know this is small fries for a lot of people and I sound ungratefull, I'm lucky to be working. Just......thought I was going to take a big step forward and ended up falling down like an ass instead.
Part of what upsets me is, I am usually a very good interviewer. I just dont always have the butterflies like I did for this interview. And them getting testy about me not being sure my wife was going to apply to their hospital just floored me. What, do people think just cause I travel nursed for a year I am made of money and can just buy a house........IN WA AT THAT.
I'm a little oversensitive too. I posted a thread before about my problems with getting out of M/S. If I could find it again I'd quote the posts......people thought I was nuts.......why would you have trouble getting out of M/S? Stuff like this happens all the time. HR brings me in playing the "donkey carrot" game, lets me think I'm interviewing for an OR or ICU position, then offers me M/S. Its very......irritating.
To boot, its night shift they need to fill. That they did let me know. I would stay on NS to work in the ICU, but they have misread me entirely if they think I will accept M/S night shift. May as well reamin a travel nurse.
May I suggest that if ever asked about your wifes plans again, say she is considering the option. It's not a lie, who knows she actually may have been.
May I suggest that if ever asked about your wifes plans again, say she is considering the option. It's not a lie, who knows she actually may have been.
AND it none of their freakin business....
also. how about a little more damage control....include in that note that you had questions, but the delightful and knowledgeable interviewers had answered them all! ok, that is laying it on a little thick, but you get the idea.....good luck
Buddy, you need to calm down and regroup a little. Personally, I love med/surg nursing, o.k., I know that is nuts, but I do. I can see why you feel angry/duped, distressed and discouraged. Listen, you are lucky, you have experience, some new nurses are having a tough time getting a foot in the door right now. You do have options, maybe you could decide to move for a year, two at the most and look for a position at a facility that would guarentee a xfer into ICU/CCU after 6 months. Then, you could apply for jobs in WA, in ICU/CCU with experience under your belt. You could go back to school to further your employment standing, (I know a nurse who started working for EMS to get experience and ended up in the ER at his dream job.) Just sit down with the wife, have a quiet, honest, open discussion about what you both see and are willing to commit to in the next year or two. I bet she is your #1 fan, and she will give you such a boost you will feel bettter soon.
I hope you get the position you want soon. Blessings.
LOL. Yes. I do need to calm down. I'm very aggressive when I want something. Once I get to the point where everything is out of my hands, I stress cause I have nothing to do to direct the outcome. Waiting is not my strong suit.
Actually, I went to the gym, met my new personal trainer for the first time. After working out, I'm not so bothered by this anymore. The answer came to me while leaving the gym.
If not hired for ICU, then I'll just shift gears again and refocus on what was my original goal......Pediatrics Oncology. Maybe I'll apply to a hospital in the area that offers adult oncology and get some experience towards my goal that way.
OK, now think damage control. How about a thank you note to the interviewer for their time, mention you are sincerely interested in the position.
Discuss with the wife other options.
If you see other positions you may be interested in, apply. Doing an interview is just like learning any other skill, the more you do, the better you are.
May I suggest that if ever asked about your wifes plans again, say she is considering the option. It's not a lie, who knows she actually may have been.
I really like the way you think--very good answer for that particular question.
I am going to write the note too. I have heard that advice in career services classes (long time ago, when in school) but never did it. It does make sense though.
I recently had a "painful" interview for a day shift designated charge position and was questioned by 9 people (mostly my friends)...I tried to stay calm but was very anxious inside. I thought I did pretty well but could have answered a few questions a lot better. I started to beat myself up about it until I just came to the mindset that if it's meant to be, it will be, and stressing about it won't change anything. I found out yesterday that I got the position...so the stressing was not warranted.
If they call you back in, it was meant to be...
One thing about ED/ICU is we like nurses with some rhythm experience, how about doing a little time on tele (even 6 months)?
I recently had a "painful" interview for a day shift designated charge position and was questioned by 9 people (mostly my friends)...I tried to stay calm but was very anxious inside. I thought I did pretty well but could have answered a few questions a lot better. I started to beat myself up about it until I just came to the mindset that if it's meant to be, it will be, and stressing about it won't change anything. I found out yesterday that I got the position...so the stressing was not warranted.
If they call you back in, it was meant to be...
One thing about ED/ICU is we like nurses with some rhythm experience, how about doing a little time on tele (even 6 months)?
I think going inito tele for a year may actually be better too. I hadnt been thinking that route, but maybe I'll start working in that direction. Do tele for a couple years as a staff nurse, get into the hospital that way then go for ICU.
FireStarterRN, BSN, RN
3,824 Posts
Spell check doesn't screen the titles of threads I've noticed.