Someday I hope to join the ranks of the nurses who are managers on this forum. In the meantime I am tackling the application/interviewing process. I have co-workers who have began the same journey, been rejected once, and have not attempted a career move again. Also, most job interview posts written by a nurse interested in breaking into management on this forum and others will not have a follow up post regarding acceptance or rejection.
This is unfortunate because rejection does not equate to LOSER or FAILURE. In fact, the support that one gains from this forum and in-person is amazing and follow up posts and in-person support can do nothing more than provide insight and guidance. With that said, I am going to start this thread off a little about me:
I am at a great point in my career where I am being encouraged to move into management. I am only interested in doing so at one of the companies of which I work due to its excellent training and support program for new nurse managers. Thus, I have applied to open management positions in the past year, where my credentials are a good fit.
So far, I have been rejected 3 out of 4 times (my latest attempt is pending a 3rd interview). In 2 of the 4 cases I did not even receive a call back, but was given good feedback by the nurse recruiter. Another case, my interviews went extremely well. In fact, it was the first time in a long time that I did not get a job despite excellent credentials, references, and interviews! However, I value that experience because the interview process was an eye-opener and I learned a lot about perfecting my way of interviewing.
Anyone else want to share his/her journey who has experienced rejection in trying to break-into-management?
Good luck to us all! I will definitely post the outcome of my latest attempt. BTW, I know that there is a career forum, but it does not seem to be geared toward managers or nurses trying to move into management like this forum. Thanks. :)
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
Hey, I used to work in a similar organization prior to nursing! :) In fact, I was passed over for promotions in favor of people with less to NO work experience in health care. In one case an unemployed person's husband, who was an Executive, wanted to give her something to do during the day.... A job that was a perfect fit for my background at the time, he changed and tailored to suit her personality and resume qualifications.
In my prior career I was turned down for promotion more than 20 times. In one case I applied for a position that required prior supervisory experience. The person who was chosen over me had been a part-time assistant manager at a fast food restaurant. What this had to do with being a procedures officer, I have no idea. In the long run, these people did me a favor because it pushed me into nursing, which I have never regretted.
I have gotten something out of every interview that I have gone to, even the ones in which I knew that I had no shot. Each interview better prepares you for the next one.
Orca, ADN, ASN, RN
2,066 Posts
In my prior career I was turned down for promotion more than 20 times. In one case I applied for a position that required prior supervisory experience. The person who was chosen over me had been a part-time assistant manager at a fast food restaurant. What this had to do with being a procedures officer, I have no idea. In the long run, these people did me a favor because it pushed me into nursing, which I have never regretted.
I have gotten something out of every interview that I have gone to, even the ones in which I knew that I had no shot. Each interview better prepares you for the next one.