Interview In The Morning And Need Help!

Eiano · Sep 15, 2009

Hi.

Congrats on getting an interview:) I'm sure it feels great.

My suggestion to you would be to tell them straight up about your scheduel preferences. However, if you applied specifically for a FT position in the hopes that the NM would let you work PT, you're probably not going to get the job. They're pretty specific with whether they need FT, PT, PD or on-call... so you should go back and check the job posting.

You said you left your job after only 2 months and haven't been employed for 9 months. This lets the NM know that you might be a risk to hire. You're going to have to do some explaining here. You're going to have to let the NM know that you will be dedicated to them and will not let this happen if s/he were to hire you.

You're probably going to get a lot of behavioral interview questions, well, think about it. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Precepting? Would you have like to have mastered your clinical skills and joined some committees? Just be straight up. When they ask this question, they want to know "Does Jvrb plan on leaving the hospital after a short time, or can she make the committment to my unit?"

I'd hold off on telling them about preplaned events. Like they say, don't ask don't tell... less is more. If you get hired and if and when you get your scheduel and see the conflict, you can let him/her know.

Good luck, I hope you get it. If I were you, I'd practice more of those behavioral interview questions...

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 15, 2009

How do I word it to make her understand that I can't work full time and give 100% to the job I do, but I do want a job?
QUOTE]
You have to decide how badly you want this job. In a job market where there are lots of nurses applying for only a few available jobs, "what you want in a schedule" is not the manager's problem. She has a job to offer to someone. She is looking for a person who has the skills to do the job and the desire to do that particular job. From your post, it sounds like you have neither the skills nor the desire to fulfill her need for a full time nurse.
She may be willing to train you ... but when you add the problem that you are not willing to work full time, it doesn't give her any reason to invest in your training.
You may have to be willing to committ to full time employment (for at least a little while) to get this job. Since you don't need a full time income, a full time job will give you some money your family doesn't really need. Use that money to hire some help to take care of your family committment. And you can give up some of the church and other family committments for a while. That's the sacrifice you might have to make to get a decent job right now.
Then ... once you have been oriented and are well-established in your new job as a valuable member of the team, you will be in a position to negotiate for a part-time schedule. They will want to keep you because you will have the skills they need and will have shown yourself to be a good employee. But until then, you are just a person with minimal skills who is asking for a lot of expensive training, but not willing to work the hours needed by the employeer in exchange for that training. If the employer is desperate for nurses, you might get away with that. But if there are several applicants, they will choose the person best able to meet THEIR needs, not yours.
I'm sorry that sounds harsh ... but you have to look at things from the employer's point of view if you want to get a job in a tight job market. You may have to make some sacrifices, but they will not be forever.

VM85 · Sep 15, 2009

If the job stated full time, then you really cant argue with them, however if it did say part time, then I would just be straight forwarded and say that you can only do part time, but will consider full time after you fulfill all of your obligations in the future if you feel you can take them on without sacrificing the quality of your work. And for the next part- I am not trying to be hard on you- I think it is wonderful that you are so involved with your church and with all of your activities, in fact I think more people should be like you- But from the employers perspective, you have far to many commitments and they may see it as they shouldn't have to work around your schedule especially when there's other people knocking on their door for the same position- Why bother with the hassle? Like I said its great to have so much involvement but if you want a job- it might come down to reducing the amount of activities that you host- Obviously you cant decrease the amount of care for your daughter and grand mother- but is it possible for some one to help you out- and ask for help with all of the tasks you have for your brothers wedding- I know its hard but it seems you are gonna have to prioritize what you need to do and what you want to do- Just something to think about before you go into the interview- cuz even if the person interveiwing you doesnt say it- they will be thinking it and its best to let them know your plan if you already have told them about your obligations. And if you cant change your obligations and have no help say you can start after these are through ( the wedding, pagents, and all of your other commitments). They may say no but it is another option to consider.

as for not working for nine months put: actively job seeking.

I really do wish you good luck!

JVRB4 · Sep 15, 2009

I should have been more clear to start. A friend from church is an LPN on this unit and I asked if they had any part time positions. I explained to her that I was only interested in part time. She said she would check. Later she came to me and said they had a nurse turn in her resignation and that she was full time but to apply anyway. I filled out an application stating part time only and included my resume. This was not for any specific job posting as the new opening has not been posted yet. I received a call from my friend saying that the director had tried to contact me and wanted to schedule an interview. When I called her she asked what I was looking for and I told her part time. I never presented myself as being interested in anything more in hopes of changing her mind later.

I know this may sound dumb to many and it certainly isn't a popular feeling in todays society or the current job market but for me my priorities are in order God first, family second and then job. Don't get me wrong when I am working I am 100% there and I will work over and come in on unscheduled shifts to help out if I can. I simply don't see the point in presenting myself as if the job is going to be #1 in my life and then my family and church wherever I can fit it in when I know my beliefs won't alow me to do that. I will become stressed and no one will get the effort they deserve from me. Yes I know this may be the very thing that will keep me from getting hired. How does it help to get hired to a job that a few months from now I will hate. That was part of the problem with the last job. I felt completely overwhelmed by the work load along with my other responsibilities. I don't want to find myself in the same place all over again.

VM85 · Sep 15, 2009

No it does not sound crazy- Like I said before I applaud you for bein so involed and having church and your family first, and I also said I wish there were more people like that in the world- And i didnt want to offend you because you sound like a very compassionate, geniuine person- But I agree with you when you said most people do not feel that way now and days- especially businesses- since its all about money when it comes down to it. Does your friend that work there also feel the same way as you do about work? Do they accomodate her(if she is involved with as many activities as you are)? because that would be a good way to see how they will treat you and if they are willing to accomodate. If they dont, heres a suggestion- look for a perdiem position!(or an agency or home health- usually need experiences for that though) Some per diem positions will list the normal amount of hours they have available for the week. Or you can always try a flu clinic, but Just a few ideas. I really do wish you the best with your family, your commitments, and your job search!Good luck!

JVRB4 · Sep 16, 2009

VM85 you did not offend me and I hope I didn't sound as though you did. No my friend is not very active in the church. She does attend on most of the Sundays she is not working and she is in the choir and attends the womens mission group meetings (forgot to include that I am also a member and hold an office in that). She is not very active in the group other than to attend a mtng once a month and donate something to the mission projects. For her church is last on the list its something she does when it fits into her schedule.

I had hoped to get a PRN (per diem) position but I was told they only hire experienced nurses for that also.

At this point I am just going to answer the questions as honestly as I can and pray that if I am meant to have this job then that door will open for me. There is no need in pushing for something that isn't right for me in the first place.

If I don't get a part time position then I may check into a flu clinic.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 16, 2009

Well ... maybe they don't really need a full time employee -- of if they do, they can find someone else to work the other hours. From you original post, I thought the manager was really looking for a full time employee and that there was a lot of competition in your town.

Good luck with the interview. Let us know how it goes.