Hi I had my very first nursing interview yesterday. I was sent to the interview by a recruiter. It was supposed to be a new grad residency program for the Emergency Department. I brought a portfolio, dressed for success, practiced in my head the things I would say...the interview was two hours long. The first hour was with the Med/Surg Nurse Manager, the second with the Chief Nursing Officer. This is for a small-town 100 bed, one story hospital. Anyway, mid-way through the first hour I noticed the NM wasn't talking much about the residency program for which I drove nearly 200 miles from home to interview, and incurred an overnight hotel stay, not to mention $70 in gas. I started asking her questions about it, and she abruptly said, "Oh I was thinking more Med/Surg position." I was a bit startled, but totally accepting. As a newbie, I would be happy to start in Med/Surg. I actually think it is probably better because M/S is the foundation to nursing. She then handed me over to the CNO. He didn't tell me what the rate of pay would be, if the training (which doesn't even start for two months) is paid or not, what benefits are available or much else. Only told me what he wanted from me, and that I could expect to have a 7-8 patient load most days. Although I'm accepting of a M/S position, I have to admit I am bummed. I really wanted the Specialty Cert and other Certs that go with the ED residency program. Plus, I need to know if the three months of training is paid or not, and how much I'll be making and how much I'll be making once I'm on my own. I would have to move my family all the way down to this little rural town and I need to have a budget in mind. I also asked the CNO about ACLS, and he said he didn't know if I would be getting that in my training or not. The recruiter I originally spoke with is on vacation this week. I am confused, and have many unanswered questions and I'm starting to have doubts and feel depressed. I also feel I was taken advantage of. The recruiter talked up this ED residency program, that there would be paid training, relocation assistance, etc...but none of that was mentioned in the interview. Then they went and totally changed the job I was under the impression I was interviewing for. Please share your thoughts on this...
Have you called any hospital recruiters in your area? I hope you can find something closer, and where you don't feel uncomfortable before you even begin. Good luck!
Hi, Yes I have checked my own area. We have quite a few hospitals around here, but we are absolutely saturated with new grads. I'm in the Tampa Bay area. We have USF, three community colleges and at least a half-dozen or more private schools like Rasmussen, Keiser and Concorde, all within a 20 mile radius, and all of which offer one or more nursing programs. Nepotism is also big around here. On top of that, Florida's climate, beaches, etc...attracts highly-skilled veteran nurses and retirees. Some retired nurses have come back on board, or postponed retirement due to the economy. I also know several people that actually hate nursing, but came back into when the job they liked better went south when the economy tanked. So, all in all, we have lots of nurses. I know Florida isn't the only place with these demographics, but we seem, especially the Tampa Bay area, exceptionally flooded with grads.
Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.
Usually paid training and things like that are discussed when there is a job offer. I can't imagine they wouldn't pay you during orientation but that's up to the facility I presume. When they make a job offer that is when you can negotiate, ask questions, etc.
Hi, Yes I have checked my own area. We have quite a few hospitals around here, but we are absolutely saturated with new grads. I'm in the Tampa Bay area. We have USF, three community colleges and at least a half-dozen or more private schools like Rasmussen, Keiser and Concorde, all within a 20 mile radius, and all of which offer one or more nursing programs. Nepotism is also big around here. On top of that, Florida's climate, beaches, etc...attracts highly-skilled veteran nurses and retirees. Some retired nurses have come back on board, or postponed retirement due to the economy. I also know several people that actually hate nursing, but came back into when the job they liked better went south when the economy tanked. So, all in all, we have lots of nurses. I know Florida isn't the only place with these demographics, but we seem, especially the Tampa Bay area, exceptionally flooded with grads.
Are you applying in Highlands county? A member of All Nurses just got an ED residency position at Florida Hospital Lake Placid.
In Highlands County they seem very receptive to new grads.
listen 7-8 pts really means "and lots of times 9 pts" when others have high acuity pts or when someone calls in and there is no one to cover, been there when i was new, it made me hate nursing, please do not accept this job, ESPECIALLY when you didn't feel they were interested in YOU. they just need warm bodies with a License, not a place to start.
shaggy77
19 Posts
Hi, Yes I have checked my own area. We have quite a few hospitals around here, but we are absolutely saturated with new grads. I'm in the Tampa Bay area. We have USF, three community colleges and at least a half-dozen or more private schools like Rasmussen, Keiser and Concorde, all within a 20 mile radius, and all of which offer one or more nursing programs. Nepotism is also big around here. On top of that, Florida's climate, beaches, etc...attracts highly-skilled veteran nurses and retirees. Some retired nurses have come back on board, or postponed retirement due to the economy. I also know several people that actually hate nursing, but came back into when the job they liked better went south when the economy tanked. So, all in all, we have lots of nurses. I know Florida isn't the only place with these demographics, but we seem, especially the Tampa Bay area, exceptionally flooded with grads.