Quick question re: thank you cards

Nurses General Nursing

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Ok, I know the rules for sending out thank you cards (right away, to each interviewer, etc..), but this situation is a little awkward, and I'm wondering if I could bend the rules a bit.

Yesterday I had a interview in a VERY small acute rehab unit. It went great, and they've already started checking references! I was interviewed by the manager, assistant manager and two RNs. I was unable to get the last names of the two RNs and I feel uncomfortable calling this very small unit and asking for that info, especially since one of them could easily answer the phone. In this case, do you think it would be ok to send one really nice thank you card that included everyone?? Any other suggestions for how I could handle this? Oh, and I called the staffing office to ask for their last names, but they wouldn't divulge that info (good for them :)

I need to get the card(s) out today, so I really appreciate any advice!!! Thank you!! :D

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Please send the thank-you's, regardless of whether you know the last names or not. You did the responsible and professional thing by trying to get their last names, but I also understand why the staffing office chose not to divluge that information.

You can send them in small envelopes within the envelope containing the manager's thank you, addressed by their first names.

What is critically important is that you extend them the courtesy of a note. Small details are not important.

Best of luck to you.

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I like that idea, and it will save on postage too :-) Thank you! I should send you a card ;-)

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Similarly, last week I sent a Thank You note to all the staff on the unit I interviewed with, the unit was small and the unit clerk liked me and said she would pass it onto the appropriate people. Not a lot of people even send out thank you notes, so bravo for even sending some out!

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

GREAT post! Thank you cards seem to be a lost phenomenon and I am impressed that you are concerned about getting them to the correct people. Jolie had a great response, and I think it is a wonderful suggestion. GREAT JOB on the interview! I hope you get it!

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Wise move sending a thank you card! I sent one as well following the interview I had with my current department. My manager still mentions the fact that I sent a card, and how much that impressed her. You will stand out as a gracious, thoughtful, and thorough candidate.

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Thanks everyone for the advice and kudos! Well, I ended up doing the awkward/embarrassing thing and calling the unit to ask for the spelling of their last names. The woman who answered the phone actually had to go to one of the RNs to ask her for the spelling! They were nice and personable enough in the interview that I think/hope they'll understand my wanting to get it right and forgive that bit of awkwardness.

When it came down to it, it felt disrespectful to send out two cards properly addressed to the managers (Ms. SoAndSo) while addressing the two RNs by first name only. Like somehow they didn't deserve to be addressed the same...

I'm probably sweating the small stuff, but I'm getting to be an OLD grad and really want/need this job! Plus the hospital is awesome!

I'll post an update once I know about the job. The wai-ai-ai-ting is the hardest part!!!

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
Wise move sending a thank you card! I sent one as well following the interview I had with my current department. My manager still mentions the fact that I sent a card, and how much that impressed her. You will stand out as a gracious, thoughtful, and thorough candidate.

Worth knowing. I've always been a bit skeptical that thank you cards would make a difference, but sounds like in your case it did. Next time I'm job hunting, I'll do the thank you card thing for sure! (I've sent thank you emails, but not actual cards).

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If I were on the receiving end of any of those thank you cards I would be impressed with your attention to the details. That's a good characteristic to be demonstrating (along with the gratitude and knowledge of business etiquette).

Good luck with the job offer.

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I got the job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so freakin' happy right now my head is about to explode! It's been 10 months, 3 preceptorships and nearly 250 job apps. I am so happy right now :-) :D

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

CONGRATZ!!!!!:yeah::yeah::yeah::balloons:

and Good Luck!!!!!

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