Shadowing after interview. Always awkward for me!

Published

hi! i've been reading this site for a long time. all of your discussions helped me through nursing school and now i have a question.

i got my rn license two weeks ago. so far i have had two interviews at one hospital and both ended with a shadowing experience. in both instances, i did not get the job. i got a call from the recruiter saying that, in order to get more interviews, i must now reapply when new graduate openings are posted because they are now interviewing "more qualified candidates." (she also mentioned having feedback from my last interview. unfortunately, this was in voicemail so i didn't have a chance to ask what the feedback was.) i clearly did something wrong near the end of the interview process, which involved about 8 hours total of questions and answers with this hospital thus far.

i have a feeling that i'm too shy during the shadow. i feel like i blew it both times. clearly, there is nothing wrong with my resume or any other "qualification" based metrics. phone interviews always go incredibly well! it's me in person that they don't like!

i now have two more interviews at another large hospital coming up and i don't want to ruin those ones, as well. if you were hired after a shadow, what did you do? what is expected during the shadowing experience? i typically try to be open and friendly. it's hard to "loosen up," though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thinking about it right now...it seems the competition is very stiff. The individuals hired were probably very proficient and had some experience on me (and my NO experience). It'll turn out! Chin up!

Still...I would love to hear suggestions related to shadowing and related etiquette.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

Yes, someone please answer! I just had an interview today and it went incredibly well. The nurse manager on the unit asked if I would like to come shadow and of course I said yes. I'm going Friday. I asked him what I should wear and he said that he hasn't asked anyone to shadow in a while so he wasn't sure. Is this a good sign? I'm sure hoping it is. I've been out of school since May 2011 and I really, really want this job. Anyone have shadowing advice?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As the asker of the original question, I am probably the last person who should be responding to yours, Meghan, because I clearly have some learning to do myself. ;)

Both nurse managers told me to wear "whatever scrubs I wanted" when I shadowed. I hope that helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg.

i shadowed for an interview and i also wore scrubs. you should get clarification from the hiring manager.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion