Nurse Recruitment Runaround

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I'm a soon to be new grad and was told by nurse recruitment I could not interview for the CTICU b/c I did not have ICU experience but was granted an interview with the CTSU. (interview went great!) but when I was there I saw about 5 of my classmates who don't have ICU experience interviewing for the CTICU?! I can't decide if I should ask nurse recruitment once again if I could be interviewed for a position in the CTICU. it's my dream job and I am up to the challenge. But I don't know how appropriate it is for me to ask them to reconsider. I was thinking of something along the lines of, "I enjoyed my interview today and am excited for a response.......I noticed several of my classmates who do not have ICU experience were interviewing for a position in the CTICU and am wondering if your policy has changed. If so, I would like to be considered for a position in the CTICU."

I'm just struggling to understand the rationale behind why I'm getting blocked. I worked for this hospital system for 5 years as a MA in out pt surgical practices. I work there currently as an NAII. I completed a 10 wk externship with them on gen med floor. I have had the same clinical experiences as my classmates...same sites. 2 on CT surgical step-down units...just like them. The only thing I can think of is that my classmates might have precepted in the CTSU and I precepted in the ED....

I really don't want to be ungrateful or push it. But I also don't want to miss out on an opportunity simply because I didn't ask....

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I don't recommend saying "noticed several of my classmates who do not have ICU experience were interviewing for a position in the CTICU and am wondering if your policy has changed. If so, I would like to be considered for a position in the CTICU". It sounds petty and you don't know your classmates circumstances for certain.

If you were told you are not eligible, it might not be wise to ask again as it can create a negative image of you.

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Specializes in retired LTC.
I don't recommend saying "noticed several of my classmates who do not have ICU experience were interviewing for a position in the CTICU and am wondering if your policy has changed. If so, I would like to be considered for a position in the CTICU". It sounds petty and you don't know your classmates circumstances for certain.

If you were told you are not eligible, it might not be wise to ask again as it can create a negative image of you.

THIS.

It also makes you sound catty, JEALOUS and spouting sour grapes. The "does NOT play well with others" type of employee. NOT team attributes that I would want to hire for any of my employees. Kiss of death for you!

Maybe they just felt you were a 'better fit' for their other unit - their decision. And that could very well be a strong positive for you. Maybe HR had a quota for applicants and you applied just a bit later. There's no way to understand their logic.

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Thanks. going to go make some wine with my "sour grapes."

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Ok. I've had my coffee now. ;) You guys are totally right, it would be completely inappropriate of me to email recruitment. I can easily admit that I am jealous of my peers. What can I say, I am a competitive person and I think my reaction was a normal one for someone who has worked so hard and gone the extra steps with this company to get my dream job. I was straight up salty that they were "overlooking" me. But then again maybe they weren't overlooking me. I have heard things in the air about the CTICU that maybe I don't want to deal with in my first 2 years as a nurse (extremely high turnover rate)....Plus the hospital recently reduced their orientation length from 12 wks to 9 wks. YIKES. I don't know how comfortable I would be getting off of orientation after 9 wks and caring for CTICU pts.

When I shadowed in the CTSU I loved everything I saw, the pt's, cases, incredible team work. The manager was out on the floor at 445pm helping a floor nurse turn a pt. She took time to speak to me. They made sure I saw a VAD, POD 1 CABG, and a double lung transplant pt. During the open house the CTSU staff showed up in matching scrubs, no other unit did this. When it was the manager's turn to get up and speak about the unit she turned it over to her staff/team leads. The team leads that interviewed me were super nice. The spoke a lot about how their unit was education focused. They were doing research projects with their manager who had them present (let them shine while she took a back seat).

At the end of the day you're only as good as your team. The most important thing to me is to be supported and encouraged as a new nurse. I know that I would be with this unit.

Thanks again for validating what I knew in the back of my mind. Sometimes we just need things spelled out for us.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

It sounds to me like you are getting the better deal. It's your classmates who should be jealous of YOU.

Congratulations!

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so not only did I get the CTSU job but I also landed 2 more interviews. one for surgery step-down and the other for surgical step-down cardiovascular/transplant/trauma.

I really want to accept the CTSU job right off the bat but nurse recruitment advised me to go ahead and shadow/interview with the other 2 units and then decide.

I'm feeling really blessed.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Amazing how perspective changes with a good nights sleep.

Go on the interviews put your best foot forward. You may like those areas even better if nothing else for the experience.

You have accomplished more by getting an offer and two additional interviews than many new grads. Be proud. Congratulations. Good luck as you make your first big career choice as a nurse!

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