Shadowing, but No Interview?

[SouthernComfort31]

Hi,

I'll be graduating from nursing school this spring so I'm starting the job search now. I've applied to a few places and received a call back from my top choice (no hospitals in Mass, I'm just lurking in the Mass forums right now). Anyway, the top choice hospital's recruiter has offered to set me up with shadowing time on a few units, but is not sure about interview time. It all depends upon if they have an opening or not (which, we all know, can change monthly). Since I am coming from out of state, I would like to have a general interview with a few managers in my areas of interest, whether they have an open position or not (you know, just in case something opens up...of course I will check their HR site every day and apply, but at least then they'll have me in mind). But, the nurse recruiter says she can't promise any interviews yet.

Has anyone done this before? Shadowed on units without an actual interview?

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

Maybe this post will get more responses if moved to the General Nursing Forum?

It seems kind of backwards to shadow first, but I suppose it's better than nothing at all. You will have a chance to put a face with the name and make a positive impression on the unit. Also, you can see if the unit is a good fit for you and is worth the extra time and effort to get an actual interview.