Job interview that made you want to run?

Published

So I just graduated this summer and passed my NCLEX in October. I live in Oregon, it has been really hard to find work around here. I did have a job interview a couple weeks ago at this one place I would really love to work. :yeah:I haven't given up hope for them calling me back yet. We did have Thanksgiving last week so I can see why it would take longer to hear back...it went to well that interview...

This last Monday I randomly applied at this other LTC place just for kicks and they called me back right away. It's an on-call position something that I am looking for since I am going back to school after the new year (I want to get into a bridge program and I am missing a few classes). The place was like a hell hole on the inside. I wanted to run. I felt that the interview went fine, but I wasn't getting good vibes about the place. I also noticed that the uniform for nurses is all black. I find that depressing. They also don't have a skilled nursing unit either. They only have Alzheimer's so it's pretty much one great big lock down unit. One of my interview questions was, "What would you do if you came into a room and two men over 250lbs were fighting, what would you do?" for some reason it put up a red flag for me. I mean I've worked LTC before as a CNA 1 and I very much enjoyed it. I wasn't on the lock down unit but I would float over there every now and then and didn't enjoy that part much. I really like the skilled units or LTC units not the lock down Alzheimer's units....

The people that interviewed me told me that there will be a second interview and that they would contact me sometime next week. What would you do if you were me? If they call me back, what should I say? What should I do? Should I go to the second interview even though I don't want this job? I'm at a loss...I really want to work LTC in a skilled unit...not a lock down Alzheimers whole building. I didn't see this when I was applying.

Also, with this other job that I really want...how long do you think is too long to wait before I should give up? When I left my interview today I went right to my computer and wrote a follow up interview e-mail (I did do a thank you e-mail right after that interview). I still feel like there is a pulse still at the other place I interviewed at before Thanksgiving. I felt a strong connection with my interviewer and she talked money with me and how it works with trainning and she was really detailed nursing the interview.

I would love someones input...*sigh*:uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The Alzheimer's unit has nurses, there are patients needing nursing care, nurses give said care in (ideally) a skilled fashion... so how come it is not a skilled nursing unit?

The scenario you were presented in during the interview is just that. A scenario. They want to see how you will respond to a physical altercation that is clearly unsafe for you alone to handle.

Black uniforms are a superficial aspect to be hung up over, in my opinion.

I am sensing some stronger underlying reasons for your hesitation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in I/DD.

I would go ahead and email/call the first place. I had to be pretty annoying to get past the nurse recruiters at my job. Even after I had an interview and the manager verbally offered me a job, I had to email him to remind him to send his recommendation to HR.

For the other job, when they call back just politely say that you aren't interested/aren't able to take that job. No need to string them along for several interviews if you have no intention of working there. I would definately NOT go for that one. What would I do if I encountered two >250 lb men getting into it? Probably run...out the door and all the way home.

Meanwhile if you really are interested in SNF/Rehab, there is nothing wrong with applying to a couple more facilities while you wait. Just make sure to thoroughly read the job description and research the facility first.

Edit: To the above poster, I know in my area SNF refers to short term, rehab nursing. Doesn't mean that they are the only skilled nurses around, just local jargon.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A job is a job. Don't be too picky :) Doesn't seem like you got a great vibe but I can't really pick out why other than issues you have with the labels of "skilled nursing" and the black uniform thing. Your choice obviously, but I wouldn't be as picky in this economy if I were you. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in I/DD.

It really depends on your situation but I really wouldn't say that a job is a job. In that case why don't we just work at McDonald's? They make almost as much as someone would in a SNF anyways :uhoh3:

I am quoting some other post that I read at some point tonight: Life is too short to be miserable. If you think you would hate this job, or don't feel safe there, then don't take it. If you need to do a risk vs. benefit analysis ;) But don't take your first job offer just because it is your first job offer unless your family is starving and you are a half a step away from living in a cardboard box. If you can afford to spend the time it takes to find the right fit, then do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry, should have specified that a nursing job is a nursing job. Yes, no two jobs are exact but I think you can get the point I was making. Many nurses are unable to find jobs. It's a bit silly to run away from a job (or even a second interview where you may get a better vibe) simply because of a scenerio question and the color of uniforms..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It really depends on your situation but I really wouldn't say that a job is a job. In that case why don't we just work at McDonald's? They make almost as much as someone would in a SNF anyways :uhoh3:

I am quoting some other post that I read at some point tonight: Life is too short to be miserable. If you think you would hate this job, or don't feel safe there, then don't take it. If you need to do a risk vs. benefit analysis ;) But don't take your first job offer just because it is your first job offer unless your family is starving and you are a half a step away from living in a cardboard box. If you can afford to spend the time it takes to find the right fit, then do it.

I think that you are getting where I am coming from on this. I still live with my parents so it really isn't a big issue if I am still looking around. During the interview they told me they were just Alzheimer's. They told me that they didn't have a SNF unit. That's the kind of unit I want to work on. Short term care/rehab kind of thing.

When I used to work in assisted living we had Alzheimer residents who would refused to take their meds. I had this time when the resident took a flag pole and hit me in the neck with it. I started to walk away from her and she got a hold of a few glass objects and I was running down stairs getting away when she threw the glass objects...missing me and hitting the wall. I don't feel safe. I don't want a job going into it knowing I'm going to hate it.

Also, a few people I used to work with from my CNA 1 days are working at this place. I found this out during the interview. I am much younger then them and they were the kind of co-workers who would talk crap. I don't think the would adjust well me being the nurse and taking orders from me. When I worked with one of them she would always call me a teenager even though I was 20 years old.

And yes...it is kind of dumb that I don't like the fact that the nurses uniform is all black...but it makes me feel like I am the angel of death and I don't like that feeling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiovascular, ER.

Well, it sounds like you already have your mind made up already.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg,ER,ICU,Home Health.

Sometimes you have to trust your gut.... and if the interview made you want to run...I would keep looking for a little while now, especially since you don't have a family to feed.

An interview is no obligation to do anything. Be cordial, and say you have explored other opportunities and thank them for their time. You may find out down the road that your impression was flawed and that you may need to reconsider.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

If you're completely certain you don't want the job (and it sounds like you are), then there's no reason to go to the second interview. Decline politely.

Meanwhile, call back the place you're hoping will hire you and inquire about the status of your application. Explain that you are interviewing at other places but they're your first choice (assuming they are). Don't let your hopes of being hired at this place stop you from interviewing elsewhere though -- the interviewer seeming to like you and discussing salaries with you doesn't really mean much. Keep interviewing until you find, and are offered (in writing!), a job you're happy about.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, OR.

I say if you felt like you wanted to run.. don't go back. Trust your intuition.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Always trust your gut. If you don't need the money don't take the job. If you do need the money don't take the job. Sounds like a nightmare. I've walked into facilities for job interviews and had such an awful feeling that there is no way I would consider the job.

One facility I went to for an interview, took a look around, and made an excuse to leave right then and there, before the interview even started.

Some of those facilites can be truly horrifying. A couple of them made me want to cry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion