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.
hehe I was just about to comment on this also, but you did it for me, yay! lol
You spelled it correctly OP! Disgusted is the correct way.. what's up with the people who don't have a comment on the post but they feel the MUST comment on the spelling? It's just so funny this time because , well, haha you know why.
Anyway, I'm sure this is the not only ICU in washington!! Wa is a beautiful state isn't it? That is where I want to go,, but I just can't leave my parents, and ya know the weather is just soooo wonderful here in Houston. (sarcasm here)
I have interviewed a few nurses and I can always see past the tiredness and little mistakes they might make. I know that they are nervous and I usually give them that benefit. I also believe that most things happen for a reason. So, if you don't get the job, it happened for a reason. That reason you will find out one day soon I'm sure. :)
A very good way to look at things, with interviews and life in general.
You mentioned that you are often baited for a night shift position which you don't want. I do have to say that it is not appropriate to bate you for a shift you don't intend to work, but- night shift is often expected for entry level positions into a specialty area with the idea that you will be granted a day shift position with seniority. How would you feel if they hired a new person from the outside for day shift position when you were working nights for a long time waiting for that day spot?
I always bring a list of questions and then take it out at the end and if they already answered most of them, I say, well, you answered this this and this already.
I completely blew an interview once.. I wasn't going to take the job but I said the most unthought out answer possible and afterwards wanted to smack myself.
You mentioned that you are often baited for a night shift position which you don't want. I do have to say that it is not appropriate to bate you for a shift you don't intend to work, but- night shift is often expected for entry level positions into a specialty area with the idea that you will be granted a day shift position with seniority. How would you feel if they hired a new person from the outside for day shift position when you were working nights for a long time waiting for that day spot?
Well, I have seen places that are OK on nights but need day help. My first job as a nurse was like that.
For me, I am SOOO willing to do nights if....I am also being placed in the ICU.
Now, I am not happy in M/S, so........if I were put in that field again, I'd prefer days. Not saying I wouldnt do nights if I liked the hospital a lot and just couldnt get into the ICU so had to stick with M/S.
I dont know, it was a bit of a trade off in my mind. I get to get trained for ICU, and I'll work nights to.....give something back.
I agree with you 100% too. As a new person on the floor, I enjoy earning my place on the team. If that means doing nights so someone who has been wanting days gets their schedule they like........no probs.
Well, my prediction that the bad interview wasnt as bad as I thought AS WELL AS the good one wasnt as good as I thought turned out right.
I got the news, the hospital is hopeing to start me off in M/S for at least 6 months. Dont know if I'll take that position if its formally offered or not. People think I am crazy when I say its nearly impossible to get out of M/S but here I am again for the 3rd time playing the "donkey carrot" game with HR people.
I think my desire to move into ICU came off and my not wanting to be in M/S showed. Not sure they are offering anything.
Anyways, I have to decline the position either way. My wife says its time to go home to PA. Man, if they call and offer me ICU I will be bitter. Have to go back to the bargaining table, try to get ther to stay.
Didnt get the offer from the ICU position. And I couldnt be happier. If I had, I would not have continued my job search.
Got a call for an interview today. Its in PA, which will make my wife VERY happy. And.........its for a PEDs unit that wants me to start of in PEDs M/S then when I am comfortable, move into the PEDs Oncology unit.
That has been my dream, to work on a unit such as this one, since my second semester of nursing school.
You think I was nervous about the ICU interviews..........wait till the interview for this unit comes.
Didnt get the offer from the ICU position. And I couldnt be happier. If I had, I would not have continued my job search.
Got a call for an interview today. Its in PA, which will make my wife VERY happy. And.........its for a PEDs unit that wants me to start of in PEDs M/S then when I am comfortable, move into the PEDs Oncology unit.
eriksoln, BSN, RN
2,636 Posts
A very good way to look at things, with interviews and life in general.