Being passed over

Disablednurse · May 2, 2003

Rusty is right, where I worked before even hired people fresh for a job and just interviewed in house people so that they could not be reprimanded for just hiring someone in. It was so very obvious, that I wondered why no one ever called them on it.

Teshiee · May 2, 2003

Sometimes it is not what you could have done people are human. It could be their biases or they could have a wild hair up their behind. If you truly felt you gave your all then move on. I feel when these things happen it is their loss in the end.

I applied for a nursing job and got the job but when I went through the whole process the manager gives me some lame excuse about some budget problems and she couldn't hire me. So I took it a step farther I felt deep in my heart she was full of it. I called personnel and stated I was someone else seeking the same job and to my suprise the position was open. I called back and demanded an explanation. For the most part if someone didn't want to hire me from the start so be it. This is why people think discrimination or racism. I rather be told the truth. I felt in the end it was their loss because I don't lose sleep over not getting THE JOB there are too many other opportunities out there.

mattsmom81 · May 2, 2003

Interesting discussion and enjoyed everyone's input. :)

I tend to agree with Teshiee in that if they don't want a particular nurse, there MAY be some discriminatory reason behind it (one may be too old, wrong color, wrong something.. for them). True discrimination can be hard to prove. Life is too short and we choose our battles.

Now maybe a young nurse might wish to find out if she can change somewhat or develop some new skills to qualifiy for a promotion or position in the future...but young nurses, please be true to yourself in this! If the change is behavioral, ask yourself: do you really want to 'be' a certain way, behave this way, act this way, etc to get the job? I decided NEVER to be a supervisor again because my answer was NO...it just wasn't worth it to me personally.

I have also learned through the years to avoid working with people who don't want me there, for WHATEVER reason. Personally, it's not worth the heartache, IMO.

Too many options out there!! :) Best wishes to you!!

llg, PhD, RN · May 2, 2003

Mattsmom81 raises some good points. Sometimes, it is quite reasonable to change your behavior, get new skills, etc. to qualify for a "better" job. However, if a particular job (or set of colleagues) is really not a good fit for your personality or your values, sometimes it is more emotionally healthy to just walk away.

It all depends on what you about yourself you would have to change. For example, I have interviewed people for educational jobs that have refused opportunities to be a preceptor and/or never served on the unit education committee or helped with any education projects or task forces. Then, when a job becomes available with hours that they like or a better salary, they suddenly say (seemingly out of the blue) that they really like teaching and want to be responsible for all the education on that unit. That just doesn't ring true. Also, serving as a preceptor and helping with unit education projects provide experience for a staff nurse to learn the skills necessary for a unit educator position. That's the kind of feedback that could be good for an unsuccessful to hear -- and that could help a nurse plan her career in a way that would help her be successful.

However, if the changes you are asked to make compromise your values or in some other way would force you to be untrue to your principles or basic personality ... that's a whole different matter.

llg

susanmary · May 3, 2003

Originally posted by Rustyhammer
I think a lot of times the one getting chosen is decided BEFORE the job is even posted. But the hiring powers need to go through the motions.
-Russell

I agree. Had an interview for a position (at my current facility) and could tell you within the first two minutes of the interview that the position was filled. I looked professional, have a strong resume, etc. -- but the manager just was going through the motions. Got a phone call today from her at 7:10 a.m. (you read that right...I was still sleeping) to tell me I didn't get the job. Waste of my time and energy.

nimbex, RN · May 4, 2003

I was recently declined for a change in units. I would have loved some constructive critisism, since I hadn't interviewed in 6 years.

When I called, I was told "another canditate more qualified". well heck, there were 6-8 positions, been in the hospital for 6 years, all same unit, all ICU, all my yearly evals are glowing?

Makes you think you're getting nailed by the current boss to keep you there sometimes.... but if I interview terribly would want to know too.

So my point is yeah, I ask, getting the answer is the toughest part sometimes.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · May 4, 2003

Originally posted by Rustyhammer
I think a lot of times the one getting chosen is decided BEFORE the job is even posted. But the hiring powers need to go through the motions.
-Russell

I agree. But I have never been passed over. I've actually been asked to apply for a charge nurse position, but I didn't, because I did not feel ready for that level of responsibility.

mattsmom81 · May 4, 2003

Sometimes one who is passed over is 'simply too valuable just where they are.'

I suspect this is just a platitude for 'you're not the one we want'. (but we still like you...where you are that is)

Jenny P · May 8, 2003

Originally posted by moonshadeau
I was going to send a email to the director of the position that I applied with thanking them and asking them to consider me in the future. But like I said, I held off on it due to the fact that I didn't want to step on anyones toes if it wasn't proper ettiqute.

Fortunately/Unfortunately- however you look at it, the scenario will probably be more prominent in my area. There are actually very few jobs for nurses within the hospital setting. My hospital boasts a 2% vacancy rate. We will see what the future holds in regards to that.

Moonshadeau, knowing you personally, I wonder if your youth may be one of the reasons you were passed over? You've got the smarts, the brains, energy, personality, and the ambition, but in some hospitals you may find that no one under- say, 30- is considered for any promotions (even for a straight day position!) just because of their age! Especially in hospitals where the docs "rule" the place!

Sorry I didn't see this sooner; but don't just email a thank you: a handwritten thank you would be remembered much better and would help in future job applications. Handwriting a thank you shows extra effort and I think some maturity on the part of the applicant, too.

Good Luck, Kiddo!:)

jevans · May 8, 2003

I would definately ask for interview feedback [more positive statement than why did I not get the job]

I also tend to agree with Rusty- especially for senior positions but often people are more valuable where they are currently and that is not always a bad thing providing the feedback gives you development advice.

What is important is that you know that you did your best

P_RN, ADN, RN · May 8, 2003

I once interviewed for a position I was well qualified for. I didn't get it. A NM from the GYN floor got it. She stayed 2 months. I interviewed again, didn't get it, someone else did she stayed 6 weeks. The third time around I was called and asked if I would like it, start immediately and needed a "now" decision. I figured if they thought I was third choice then maybe I didn't want them.

The next one they hired was brought up on charges of drug diversion and the department was closed......Oh well, I would have stayed 20 years, and I would never have diverted drugs. Their loss.

mario_ragucci · May 9, 2003

Wow, i never even considered the way a promotion might occur in nursing. Don't it seem that there are sometimes when others are favored, or that you are passed over/under? Well, competition and desicion making are important issues. The feedback would be a bonus, especially reliable and honest feedback. Just be patient and remember not to let a passing over bother you to the point you get comatose over it :-) Just be YOU, be open to a self evaluation through another's eyes and frontal lobes, and good things come to those who wait. Love, Mario