Recruiters, is this plus or minus? Clinical instructors, how assertive is too pushy?

[zephyr9]

Hi All,

I am getting more motivated than I ever could have imagined to get a job. I did get hired to one in a hospital two hours away, planned to stay up there during the work week and come home on days off. It would have worked were it not for an unexpected financial setback involving my husband's job. Sadly, I found myself having to resign just two weeks into my orientation. I loved the place, it was such a hard phone call to make. The nurse manager told me to call if my situation changed, so I guess I left on good terms.

Another hospital much closer to home in the same system is hiring, and the application asks if I have ever worked in this healthcare system. I answered yes and gave a concise explanation of my brief employment and resignation. I hope this will not reflect negatively on me, because this hospital has a bunch of nursing positions which do not state that experience is required! I hope my worry about this is unfounded. Is two weeks employment a plus or a big fat negative minus zero? I did perform well, fwiw.

Also, my account in a hospital's job listings shows that I am being "considered" for a position which I applied to months ago. I understand that this hospital's gears grind very slowly with hiring. I have never received any communications from this hospital beyond confirmation of resume received. I have been sending the nurse manager little email notes every now and then restating my interest in the position. I did two months on this unit in clinical and my clinical instructor is employed on another floor of this facility. I want someone to put my name in the nurse manager's ear for me instead of me sending another email to her. (I sent two emails and left two voice messages total since early November). I am thinking to just go pay a visit up to the unit my former clinical instructor works on and just say hey, and ask her to drop my name to the NM. My instructor was pretty cool and down to earth but ya never know...would that be crossing some professional boundary?

I have heard that the person that wants the job the most is the one they give it to, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, etc. I believe they won't find a better new grad than me. Do I squeak more or just be a good quiet patient little RN, and just say my prayers?

Any stories about bugging your way into a job? Sitting on your hands and waiting it out silently? Or about "persistent restating of interest in a position" (bugging) backfiring?

Thanks!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

You're wise to be cautious. One label you don't want is "entitled" - attempting to circumvent normal process because you're "more" (talented, smarter, etc.) than everyone else. In my organization at least, this is absolutely guaranteed to turn off the hiring managers. If you can manage to make contact with decision makers, I suggest you avoid making any comments that would contribute to this impression. This means no comments pointing out how much better you are than everyone else. Instead, focus on what you can bring to the job - such as energy, commitment & dedication.

Best of luck to you in your job hunt.

[elkpark]

I have heard more stories of being "pushy" backfiring (and hurting the applicant) than I have of it being successful.

[zephyr9]

Well that is a surprise. I always have this picture in my mind of this uber-alpha-leader-super-candidate that I think theyre looking for. Glad to hear humility is an asset in this game too. Thanks for feedback.