new grad who didn't get into a specific nursing program

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2010

You can try but you probably won't get anything besides "Thank you for applying. You were a great choice, but the others were even better."

diligent-trooper · Sep 6, 2010

I agree with the previous post. What was the initial screening process? (was there a test, phone interview, etc.) I believe the most frustrating part of the process is the simple- not knowing. I know I can think the whole experience to death, and believe that I am a loser. Mark Twain had a quote: "I had the worst experiences in my life time, but most didn't even take place."

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2010

i have a question-i am a new grad who didn't get into a new grad program at one of the hospitals near by. it was a tough program to get into. 900 applied, less than 100 got interviewed and i believe 20 got in. is it ok to email the interviewer and ask why i did not get accepted and if she has any recommendations? i feel it will be beneficial information for future interviews so i can work on my faults. please let me know your opinions and how i can address it to the interviewer. thanks all!

my first instinct was why you immediately thought there is something wrong with you. perhaps the employer determined that their facility was not quite the right fit for someone of your caliber. it's quite possible that you're the most flawless candidate every which way but that this particular program may not be right for you. perhaps they felt you should be in a more prestigious program? would you have been happy if they did pick you and then turns out you disliked the program? i know in this economy it's quite easy to answer yes to that question, but it all boils down to whether a candidate is a good fit and their personality meshes well with the facility. sure to some degree you can "fake" it, but why bother if you're going to be unhappy in the end?

it doesn't hurt to get feedback as to why you were not selected (though i doubt they will take the time to let you know), but try not to sell yourself short by assuming off the bat that you have faults. what's meant to be for you will be yours! never give up.

sunnycalifRN · Sep 6, 2010

You can try but you probably won't get anything besides "Thank you for applying. You were a great choice, but the others were even better."

I agree. If "you were an excellent candidate, but more qualified candidates were selected" helps you, then ask away. No HR department will ever explain their reasons for rejecting an applicant, nor do they have to.

anon695 · Sep 6, 2010

You can try, but you'll probably get a stock answer like "you were an excellent candidate, but more qualified candidates were selected". I used to work in HR before I went to nursing school, and I can tell you that when somebody received 900 resumes, they don't read through all 900. They read just enough (starting with the ones submitted first) to get as many candidates to interview as they need. The trick to applying for jobs is often to be one of the first people to click "send" on the email with your resume and cover letter so that your resume is seen first, not lost in a pile of 900. And that's all there is to it...

BigTuna · Sep 6, 2010

Everyone so far has tried to dissuade you, but this is one of those situations of "what do you have to lose"? If they don't respond or you receive a stock/pat answer, you are no worse off. It will only cost you the time it takes to make the inquiry. Every now and again people will surprise you and you just might get the heartfelt response you want. (The Dean of the Nursing School of a major university recently made time to meet with me privately. I won't go into the circumstances, but it was extremely generous on her part and I was most grateful for her time and input.) Your question is legitimate and well-phrased. You may as well send a courteous letter (not an email) directly to the interviewer (not HR, unless one and the same). Include your telephone number and ask if the interviewer would mind giving you a call. People frequently do not have time or will not make time to write a response, but will make time for a phone call. Good luck!

ObtundedRN, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2010

With a program like that, it often comes down to who you know. How did you get the interview? HR recommendation? That usually doesn't even get you an interview. I recommend you make some friends on those units some how. That way they can push your resume into their hands and say "Hire this person!" It really does help. With the economy the way it is, a lot of hires are coming from personal recommendations of current employees. Good luck with the job hunt!

vegetable8 · Sep 7, 2010

let's not go aroud the bush!

your question is "is it ok to email the interviewer and ask why i did not get accepted and if she has any recommendations?".

there's nothing wrong if you want to give it a try. all hr are not the same. just as we all do. some of them would be gladly to give you advice. just make sure you indicate your contact or email address for them to reach you. and this is not a waste of time for you and to them.

it is better if you try than living in doubt...

SC_RNDude · Sep 7, 2010

Don't waste your energy...like others above mentioned, you aren't going to get a constructive answer. Over 800 people didn't make it. The odds of you contacting someone who knows the specific reasons that 1 out of that group weren't chosen are not going to be good.

There is a good chance nothing was wrong with you. The fact is very few were chosen, and for for each one who was there were probably 10 others who were just as good or better candidates. Sometimes you aren't one of the best. And then again sometimes you are, but then life isn't always fair.

obfuscate · Sep 7, 2010

Give it a go. Also use this statement, "I was wondering if maybe you could tell me..." This statement sounds really polite when asking.

Neveranurseagain, RN · Sep 7, 2010

Your title, "new grad who didn't get into a specific nursing program" is confusing-maybe they thought you were still thinking like a student when you interviewed. A better way to phrase it would have been "new grad who didn't get into specific hospital program." You are now a real nurse, not a student. But in all reality, there were just too many applicants for too few positions.