New Grad and Rejected from First Choice Job Option

Nurses Professionalism

Published

I am currently a CNA and I graduate in December. I work on an Intermediate Cardiac Unit as an intern and I was planning on working in this same unit as an RN. Some months ago, we had to sign up for meetings (on a schedule sheet) on the manager’s office door. I added my name and a time. When I showed up she looked surprised to see me and said “thank you for coming, you didn’t have to come. I hope you didn’t have to drive far”. I told her it wasn’t a problem at all and I lived close. I kind of was a little weirded out on why she said that. I wanted to talk to her about my upcoming graduation and how I was interested in staying on the unit. Well, my meeting with my manager was sort of a sweet slap in the face. She asked me about my previous clinicals and immediately told me she was full on the floor and she would help me find other units to work on. I didn’t even get a chance to express my interest. I was kind of thrown off about her rapid response because, at the time, that was around 10 months before I graduate. I was kind of discouraged that she didn’t even offer me a position.

I spoke with other nurses on the unit about the night shift’s ratios and they told me that they were needing nurses and were not full on the unit at night.

Just recently a classmate that also works on that floor was offered a position in the unit and she accepted it. I honestly was heartbroken about it because I really enjoyed this floor and I really wanted to work in the unit.

I’m not really mad because my manager was real nice about it and helped me to get hired at another unit (not any of my top choices but I’m happy I got a job now). I guess I just want to know, what are the main reasons for managers to politely turn you down? I felt like I got along with everyone and tried my best to do great work and patient satisfaction. I will add that this was my first EVER CNA job. At first learning all of the ropes was really challenging and my manager did call me back in office for constructive criticism (during my second week in the job). Also, when we have peer reviews I ALWAYS get top scores from my CNA peers and great comments about teamwork and patient satisfaction. I even got a daisy award nomination. I feel like it may be my lack of experience. Any other people gone through this before? How do you maximize your chances on being a good candidate to your manager?

7 hours ago, K+MgSO4 said:

I have never employed someone onto my ward in a new grad program who had worked on the ward in another capacity.

I have so many reasons for this such as

It is not a fair playing field for the other new grads when one person has a leg up with knowing the team, patient conditions etc.

It is not a fair chance for that new grad to develop as an RN when there may be staff on the team that will "forget " your new role and delegate inappropriately to you. Also your former peers who you now have to delegate to may get PO with you...

It is not a fair chance of learning, developing and pushing your skill set as a new grad. Not just your clinical knowledge but developing professional relationships etc.

This post contains other valid reasons for the OP's consideration. Thanks for adding this to the discussion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am graduating in December and I have been trying out units at my current hospital. I really loved the heart transplant unit, however, after the manager spoke with HR and my current manager (I am currently a CNA at this same hospital), she told me it was best that I work on a lower acuity floor and gain experience from there. She also told me that I had a great personality and that will "take me far in my nursing profession." Before she spoke with my current manager, she told me that she heard great feedback from the nursing staff and she she thought I would be a great fit for her unit and the culture.

I was looking forward to working on this unit because it would help me transition into an ICU unit, which is my ultimate goal.

Soon after, I accepted a position on a short stay intermediate unit. This unit sees lower acuity patients and also gets overflow from the ED. Patients are also here for short stays while awaiting procedures or tests.

I know some of my classmates who have been accepted straight into ICU units and specialty units.

I am very grateful for having a career opportunity at this hospital, however, it made me a little nervous about my future. I am a little sad about this because this is now the second time that I have been rejected from a unit that I really wanted to work in. Is it possible to still be transferred to a specialty unit or an ICU unit from working on an intermediate unit and gaining experience? I almost feel like this rejection put a cap on my abilities to the other managers and they may be unwilling to hire me. Has anyone else gone through this? Is it beneficial to the start of your nursing career?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Used to be it was expected that a new nurse acquire experience on a lower acuity or a general med-surg unit before exploring opportunities on specialty units. Recently it seems those specialty units are more willing to hire a new grad or two. Just my opinion but I don't think that's a bad thing. So much of a new nurses real education happens on the unit that hiring a new nurse allows them to train that nurse how they want.

There are of course still great advantages to starting out on a more generalized care unit. Especially if the new nurse is not 100% determined that a particular unit is the end goal. Exposure to a more varied patient demographic can help determine what you do and don't like before committing to a specialty that may be difficult to get away from later. Because that is a real risk going directly into a specialty. If you start out there and that is all you know it can be difficult to transition later to a unit you have zero experience in. It's very possible to get pigeonholed in that first specialty when you have no relevant experience for other job opportunities if you want to move somewhere else later. A more generalized experience starting out can give you more options down the road.

So don't think it's necessarily a bad thing or even a commentary on your perceived abilities as a new nurse to not be hired right into a specialty unit. Any experience is good experience. Make the most of the position you take, continue to learn and as you gain that valuable experience you'll later be able to build off your knowledge no matter where you eventually end up.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU.

Don't view it as a negative that they are recommending you and WANT you for a lower acuity unit. They seem to like you and want you to succeed. Just because others have been accepted and are working in ICU or other speciality units does not mean they will be successful nor enjoy the unit. At this intermediate unit you will get to see a lot. Why not give it a go and see how you like it.... you may find that you really love it.

I understand you are sad, but are you sad just comparing yourself to others? The manager thought highly enough of you and your skill set to match you with a unit were you will likely succeed. Just because it isn't the ICU is not a downfall, rather someone took the time to really look at you adn your skills and help you find a place that you will fit in. IN two years see how you feel and what you might be ready for,

Wishing you the best success in your new unit.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I'm seeing a lot of discouraged new grads whose job offers aren't in line with the career paths they have envisioned. I think too much is being made of planning out one's entire career. Life just doesn't work that way. For starters, you can't possibly know what types of opportunities and new experiences lie ahead.

If your goal is to work in the ICU, then put one foot in front of the other and work your way in that direction. It just might pan out the way you hoped. And you might love it. Or you might hate it. Or other opportunities pop up that you couldn't possibly have predicted.

I strongly recommend everyone check out Deepak Chopra's The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Flip to The Law of Detachment, where he talks about embracing the wisdom of uncertainty. Hopefully, this helps to dispel doubts and anxieties about one's career trajectory. And if you're comparing yourself to classmates, just quit that right now. Their futures are no more written in stone than yours.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Whatever happened to working your way up? I truly believe every new grad should do a year of med-surg. I tell all new nurses this. Get the experience then go where you may but not everyone is going to start out in their ideal job unless they know someone and short changed another more qualified nurse in the process. I'm sure this isn't taught in school so where did this mentality come from?

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
6 minutes ago, TriciaJ said:

Deepak Chopra's The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.

https://taxuna.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/deepak-chopra-the-7-laws-of-success.pdf

Y'all welcome.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

When you posted on another thread that you started about what you did with the call light, asking how to apologize to your Charge Nurse (I notice that thread has been deleted) you left a negative impression on some of us on this site who replied to your post. I recall that suggestions were made by other posters on that thread that you reflect on your behavior. Instead of looking outward and asking why one didn't receive what one thought one should have received, often it is necessary for us to look inward and reflect on what we have done to contribute to the situation and to learn from this.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
22 minutes ago, Susie2310 said:

When you posted on another thread that you started about what you did with the call light, asking how to apologize to your Charge Nurse (I notice that thread has been deleted) you left a negative impression on some of us on this site who replied to your post. I recall that suggestions were made by other posters on that thread that you reflect on your behavior. Instead of looking outward and asking why one didn't receive what one thought one should have received, often it is necessary for us to look inward and reflect on what we have done to contribute to the situation and to learn from this.

You're 100% correct Susie, I do believe that one should always look inward for self improvement to make a change for the better, and believe me, I genuinely try my best to get that done. The previous issue that you are referring to was resolved, a formal apology was made and actions were corrected since this single incident. Again, thank you to everyone who have given me feedback.

The post you are referring to was deleted because I felt like I learned from the situation and I was hoping that, that particular event could be left in the past and not hung over my head every time I make a post on this site. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone openly admits to them and tries to correct it. We have all fallen short one time or another. I understand that first impressions mean everything and maybe I shouldn't have come here to ask for advise from seasoned nurses about that specific topic.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Threads merged for continuity.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 7/8/2019 at 6:51 PM, Joanne15 said:

The post you are referring to was deleted because I felt like I learned from the situation and I was hoping that, that particular event could be left in the past and not hung over my head every time I make a post on this site. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone openly admits to them and tries to correct it. We have all fallen short one time or another. I understand that first impressions mean everything and maybe I shouldn't have come here to ask for advise from seasoned nurses about that specific topic.

Now don't be that way. I think you have overall been given some very thoughtful advice. You are correct that all of us have made mistakes and would wish for a do-over on a thing or two. But it is kind of just a fact of life that blunders in judgment (even when not heinous) may take at least some short time to live down. It's all okay.

With all sincerity in consideration of your best interest: The reason you wanted your first post deleted from this site is the same reason that you shouldn't feel too bad about being offered the opportunity to work on a new floor/unit. Start afresh in your new role as an RN! Put your best foot forward, utilize lessons already learned, seek to have a great attitude and learn everything you can, and you will do great.

Best of luck! ??

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

One other thing that I noticed when re-reading this. OP doesn't even graduate until December. Is it really normal for all these students to be offered jobs several months before graduation? Not saying it doesn't happen but that seems weird to me. Why would the hospital being offering jobs to students that can't start working as a nurse for another 6 months at least? I mean, how do they even know exactly what positions will be open that far out, a lot of things can change in that amount of time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment