NM hanged up on me:(

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2011

I would have called back...could have been an accidental hang up.

"Hi, I was just talking to you and I think we got disconnected...."

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2011

In this economy where there's a shortage of nursing positions, hospital unit managers are literally being stalked by job-seekers who are following up on applications. They must contend frequently with callers like you in addition to the bold ones who arrive to the unit in person demanding to speak to the nurse manager. Although I don't condone his behavior of hanging up on you, I can place myself in his shoes and understand his frustrations regarding the constant stream of applicants who want to speak to him with hopes of getting noticed.

Please realize that you are probably not the only applicant/referral calling him about a job. In all likelihood, he probably gets multiple callers like you on a daily basis, and it can get tiring.

Jenni811, RN · Feb 28, 2011

It sounded like you got disconnected. It happens, no NM would just "hang up" like that. Not professional. I would try calling back and just stating you think you got disconnected.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2011

This is why you never make a phone call to see about a job.

You apply, follow with a written application, etc.

I would not call back...in hopes that she may not remember you.

Blackbear13 · Feb 28, 2011

In this economy where there's a shortage of nursing positions, hospital unit managers are literally being stalked by job-seekers who are following up on applications. They must contend frequently with callers like you in addition to the bold ones who arrive to the unit in person demanding to speak to the nurse manager. Although I don't condone his behavior of hanging up on you, I can place myself in his shoes and understand his frustrations regarding the constant stream of applicants who want to speak to him with hopes of getting noticed.
Please realize that you are probably not the only applicant/referral calling him about a job. In all likelihood, he probably gets multiple callers like you on a daily basis, and it can get tiring.

I understand your point but my friend told me this manager is very kind & to mention that the NM told my friend to call him this week. Im just thinking now that we got disconnected like what the others said. I will probably call him again.

Music in My Heart · Feb 28, 2011

If he *really* told your friend to have you call, then probably it was an accidental hang-up and you should call back.

However... your friend may have misinterpreted what he said or may be stretching the truth in order to look good to you (and not realizing that the NM doesn't want to be getting calls from job seekers).

At this point, you have nothing to lose by trying again but cold-calling a NM rarely a good choice IMO (others disagree, though).

Blackbear13 · Feb 28, 2011

My auntie came here just now from work. She is working in the same hospital. But in diff. Department.

She told me to call back. im really worried that she intentionaly hanged up on me.

allnurses Guide · Feb 28, 2011

I think you should start out by ruling out accidental hang-up. Whenever I am talking to my managers the phones start to act flaky. It's maddening!

I would suggest your friend lay the groundwork again and fill out the details. She may not have connected the dots properly if she was distracted by a busy unit when a week or so had passed by already.

And sometimes "ohhhh yeeessssssss" after a pause is said when a person has no idea who you are, but think they should know, and it buys a few seconds of time to frantically wrack their brain wondering what they were missing. :)

shelliejardine · Feb 28, 2011

Remember that this is not the only unit available for you to apply for a job. I would certainly try again, but I would send and email and request a meeting. Also, apply to many hospitals, units, etc. Even ones that say they want experience. If you present yourself well, you will get the job!

I think sometimes, when we graduate from a program, whether its nursing or whatever, we feel entitled to getting interviews and a position immediately. In my case, I have worked in a hospital for almost 8 years as a medical technologist in the lab. I have 14 years experience as such, so I started applying for job transfers, thinking I would get a nursing gig in any department I wanted there. The reality is that even though the media says there is a nursing shortage, the current economy dictates that there is a shortage of available positions, especially for new graduates. Hospitals can't afford these days to spend a lot of money and time training a new graduate, so we have to work harder to present ourselves in a shining light to get those jobs.

Good luck and remember, because one door closes in your face, it doesn't mean that it the end of the world. It just means that position wasn't meant to be yours and that the is a better opportunity waiting for you somewhere else. Also, in your case, the NM most like did not hang up on you....but just got cut off. But....don't waste your energy worrying about what somebody did or did not do....just get back up, dust yourself off and try again. )

Blackbear13 · Feb 28, 2011

I called back and he said he is interested to hire me!im so happy.

Thank you guys for your advice. Finally i will get a job after months of job hunting.

leslie :-D · Feb 28, 2011

I called back and he said he is interested to hire me!im so happy.
Thank you guys for your advice. Finally i will get a job after months of job hunting.

that is awesome, blackbear!:balloons:

i too, was going to suggest you call back.

if he had said "oh yessss"...it certainly didn't sound like a hostile reception.

best of luck on your new job.

leslie