Need some perspective on an interview I had

[Idaho Murse]

This is the post I made in my old thread but it just keeps nagging at me. This was for a tele interview that I had.

hello everyone!

Just thought I would toss an update out there. I had my interview it was 1.5 hours long (not sure if that is good or bad) We discussed hypoglycemic patients how you would recognize them, what foods you could give for rapid glucose increase, what I would choose as a long term food to hold them over.

She asked me the difference between new onset A-fib, and chronic a-fib. The types of medications I would expect them to be on. We talked about a patient I had with a GI bleed who was on dopamine. She said my answers were very good and I was able to apply my clinical experience very well.

At the end of my 1.5 hour interview I asked her what the next step was, and when I could expect to hear her decision. She told me that she had to be honest and that she did not like some of my answers. (my jaw hit the floor) She said that when she asked me where I saw myself in 5 years and 10 years she wanted to hear that I would be working on this same tele floor and dedicated to the organization.

I guess I did not know how to interpret this, so I told her the truth. I was going to be working where ever my job was. That I did not plan on moving away from my job. She had said she did not like that I had said I wouldn't mind living in a region (I said I wouldnt mind living in a 3 state area)

So I just reiterated that I wanted this opportunity because I know that I could be successful as a tele nurse on this floor.

Then she said I should have had my ACLS certification. I told her honestly, that the advice I was given was to wait on this because most facilities provide this class free of charge for employees.

Also she mentioned that on the spreadsheet (how they rate applications) I did not stand out very much (again I did not know how to interpret this). So I told her that I appreciated that she gave me the opportunity for the interview and went over why I thought I was qualified for the job.

These comments about my answers were all after she had gave me a tour of the unit, introduced me to the charge nurses, and the staff nurses. And gave me a tour of the critical care unit that was being expanded in the fall.

So after that conversation I asked when I could be notified about on her decision, and she said around 3 weeks.

I guess I am slightly confused by the whole thing. I mean the interview was great in my opinion expect for the last 5-10minutes which left me with my chin on the ground and confused about the whole thing.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

From what you have told us about your non-clinical answers, I don't see a problem. I can't imagine telling a manager that I intend on staying some place for 5 years. Who knows what could/would happen in that time. Same reason I'm not fond of contracts, you don't know what might happen in that time frame. Many managers I've interviewed with have asked me if I intend to continue my education, etc not if I will still be working on their floor in 5 years.

I can't imagine paying for ACLS or PALS out of pocket. Those courses cost money and I agree with you, if an employer wants you to have them, they can pay for them.

Good luck, I hope you get the job. She obviously saw something in you seeing how she decided to bother to interview you

[alphabetsoup]

Don't beat yourself up over it. Here is what I have noticed in the past 3 years. Hospitals are becoming more aggressive and adapting practices that are used in the business world. This means using questionnaires, behavioral assessments, scripted interview questions that measure actions and outcomes, etc. With the expense of turnover, hospitals are trying to stop those losses by trying to have better matches with employees. In some cases, they are even holding out on filling positions now (!) which was unheard of 10-15 years ago when you could pretty much be offered a job on the spot what with the nursing shortage and all. Do one post mortem on this horrific interview experience, learn from it, and next time be better prepared to run the gauntlet by expecting these sort of interviews. It sounds to me like she was mostly concerned that you would not be sticking around too much and that was what was "targeted" as a concern, regardless of whether it is a true concern or not.

[Nurzelady]

Are you a new grad? The typical answers they want to hear from you when they're intereviewing you as a new grad is that you still plan on staying commited to working on that floor 5 years from now because its very expensive to train a new grad. And then yes its true that hospitals do offer their employees ACLS classes for free, but when you already have it, its better. Many new grads are investing into certifications so that way they can stand a better chance in this competitive market. Best of luck to you though. At least she showed you around the hospital.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Interesting. Many people complain that they don't get feedback on their interviews and don't like that it remains a mystery as to why they were not offered the job they sought. It's rare that a manager will divulge her assessment of an applicant at all, much less on the spot like that. I'm not sure what to make of that.

I don't think you were totally eliminated from consideration, though. I think you were still in the running at that point. She was just giving you some feedback -- maybe even purposefully giving you some negative feedback to see how you would react. The fact that she spent considerable time with you indicates that she was at least interested and considering you as a serious possibility.

... and for future reference ... Retention is the name of the game these days. With the sky-rocketing costs of orientation, managers want to hire people who will stay long enough to be worth the investment. At the very least, say that you HOPE this works out and that you will be still employed by the hospital -- perhaps having gotten certified, taken on some leadership responsibilities, moved up the clinical ladder, etc.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Who knows what she was thinking. I've met some wacky folks in nursing interviews. She might have been thinking out loud - pros/cons. Yours is to just send the thank you note and follow up call. Move on and don't spend a minute more on this one job. I think she did give you good advice which is just to try and say what most of them want to hear because it's never gonna be about you and what you want for your future you see?

[MassED, BSN, RN]

god what a witch. Not only was that a LONG interview, for that many questions and so detailed was really above and beyond.

Who cares if she didn't like one or two answers you gave that were your PERSONAL goals in your future and where you saw yourself. She sounds like a witch and her expectations of YOUR future should not be what guages whether or not she decides to hire you.

I would totally and completely write her off and move on. If they call you, hmmph, I would hesitate to take a job and work for someone like her.

OR call HR and tell them that the Tele floor seems nice but not quite the fit you're looking for, see if they have other options. Even if it's not Tele.

Look, nurses are always in high demand, especially someone with experience.

Don't count yourself out of the game. But count yourself out of that job. You don't want that!

Good luck!

[RNfaster]

I think LLG has some very good points. Write a note addressing the manager's concerns and highlighting your qualifications. Continue looking for other positions.

Whether or not you get this position, you will likely have some "better" answers for future interviews.

I hope you get the position you want.