Need some simple advice.

[NeoPediRN]

I had an interview for my dream job on Monday. It went REALLY well, I ended up interviewing with five people including the NM, clinical coordinator, the HR manager, and two nurses who would be my preceptors. It was comfortable, we laughed and joked, they were impressed by my accomplishments and my determination. The nurse manager told me I probably wouldn't hear back until Friday and that she was going to call HR to get going on my references. I worked my per diem job today and asked my nurse manager if she had heard from anyone about references (I'm totally open with her about my dream job and she completely supports me) and she told me no one had called her. I never heard from them today. Do you think something went wrong? Is this a common thing to happen? I was thinking maybe HR/the NM got busy and behind, but I can't stop those awful creeping thoughts of doubt from entering my mind. I'm worried I said or did something that threw them but I can't think of anything. I truly thought the interview went as well as it could have. I should hear back either way but it makes me really worried that they didn't check references from my one RN position or call me at all. Has this happened to anyone before? Did your experience turn out to be positive or negative? Thanks so much in advance.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Human Resources departments can be incredibly slow. I was interviewed for a job last February and HR didn't get done with their "thing" until April. It's the "process"! Be patient. I doubt most HR depts are as bad as the one where I work but they are kind of known to walk slowly rather than run...

[eukaryoticnurse]

I would give it until Tuesday of next week, and if you haven't heard anything back, I would give the HR Dept a polite courtesy call. I have had similar things happen to me in the past. Sometimes people just get busy and fall behind. Sometimes things slip peoples' minds, sometimes work is delegated to someone that doesn't get the job done. There is no harm in politely calling back to find out the status of your application. If anything, it shows that you are serious about wanting to work there. I once applied to the same job 3 times before I was hired. I was told I was not the initial favorite candidate, but my persistance and determination won them over.

Good luck.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I agree with eukaryoticnurse!

[Mr. Kacer]

Hello.

I am a student currently at a cross roads, I have to make a decision between majoring in engineering or apply to the Nursing program here in my school in southern California. I feel more inclined towards nursing, but....in checking out a lot of jobs here in California, and my beloved home state (which I plan to return after school) of Michigan I am kind of discouraged by the amount of part time work I see offered. Is part time work the norm? I really want to work, but full time, as I too have a family to support.

Would you give me some insight as to what I might encounter if I decide to commit myself to nursing.

Thank you for your input, it would be most appreciated.

Tim

[Melinurse]

I once applied to the same job 3 times before I was hired. I was told I was not the initial favorite candidate, but my persistance and determination won them over.

Good luck.

That's how I got my current job. They told me the first time they did not have an open position. I called back anyways and she said she would give me a per diem. Now I am part-time there. It took applying in person, 2 calls, and then mailing in my resume.

Call them Tuesday.

[caliotter3]

I found out in my last round of job hunting that my references were not called at all. One place did no follow up on me at all. When I called to find out the status of my application, the person I talked to said she had no idea who I was. I filled out an application, left my resume, and spent over an hour taking their screening tests and they had no idea who I was three days later. The two employers who hired me, did so on the spot. I believe they didn't make any follow-up calls. Another place made no calls to references and when I called to inquire, could not give me any kind of an answer at all as to why they couldn't hire me. My online job applications have all been ignored. I currently go with the premise that if an employer needs me, they will hire me on the spot (which is what usually happens) or within a day or two of my application. When I get the "who are you?" response, I politely tell them something, then proceed to let my acquaintances know what inconsiderate treatment they can expect. Employers like this don't deserve my time and I let everyone know. Imagine how they treat their clients and their employees if this is how they treat potential employees?

[truern]

I filled out an online application with the HR dept and heard back from them AFTER I started working at their hospital. I was hired by the unit manager when I personally handed her my application and resume.

[NeoPediRN]

LOL truern, talk about a little behind! I felt like I was so close to being hired on the spot, it went that well. The main issue was the budget as there was an emergency hospital-wide management meeting and a possibility the positions may be frozen for a bit, but I felt like that was the only thing holding me back. I really tried not to get my hopes up but I did and now I feel so crappy.

[Mr Ian]

Well I've worked with the best most efficient HR in the world....

I was once suspended from duties 3 days before my contract started.

[caliotter3]

Well I've worked with the best most efficient HR in the world....

I was once suspended from duties 3 days before my contract started.

You must have been a VERY bad boy!

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I got a "you're hired" letter for a job that I had quit, the week after I quit! I'd worked the job 6 months before I quit it.