Should I ditch the pinning ceremony for a possible job?

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So I live 5 hours away from home. I called a hospital from back home and they informed me of an open house that's on Thursday. My pinning ceremony is on Friday :/

Honestly, I'm not crazy about going, but I want to go only because everyone else is going except for like 3 other people. I feel weird for not going, but more importantly, I would feel like I would regret it.

I will be graduating with an Associate's degree in nursing, and even as a new grad with a BSN work is hard to find. What I'm saying is I may not get the job if I do go home for this open house (a day after my final exam-I still haven't even packed up), but I don't want to regret not going to the open house because this is the hospital that I want to work at, and the city I want to live in!!!

My question is, what would you do if you were in my situation?

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Hi! Personally I would go to the open house since it's where you really want to work. The open house should allow you to get your foot in the door and it'll be easier for employers to put your face to your name if you decide to go. I know it would kind of suck to miss the pinning ceremony though... Do you all have a graduation ceremony as well? Maybe your cohort/class can go do something fun afterward so you can be included :)

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I'd go to pinning. I wouldn't skip it for an open house. Mayyyyybe for a second interview, but not for an open house. It's not likely that management will have time for all of the people milling through an open house, nor likely that it would give you an advantage in obtaining an interview. Unless it's nothing like the open houses I've gone to, you can probably find out more info about the open positions on the hospital's web page.

As for the ADN/BSN thing....in this economy (at least here) it's really about connections, ie: all about who you know. I'm finding its a good thing to know people who work where you're interested. Congratulations on pinning!

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No i wouldn't be able to because i live 5 hours away...and graduation is after pinning. but i agree with u...they will want to put a face to a name.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I've been very disappointed with job fairs and open houses, in general. I agree about connections- post it EVERYWHERE that you're searching. You never know who knows someone who's best friends with a manager that loves new grads.

We just had our pinning tonight, and it was really special. I would really regret not attending.

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Specializes in Education, research, neuro.

No one wears pins any longer. (Well... I do, but I'm old and people have grown to expect me to do old-fashioned things.) Odd that we've hung on to that tradition. Cap (gone) white uniforms (gone) white hose and shoes (gone) pins (gone)... just scrubs and a name badge.

And I was never pinned. Took a couple hundred bucks to the book store, bought it, wore it to work on my first day.

Maybe it's more the event and your colleagues and the "only-happens-once" nature of it. How close are you to these people? will you lose touch with them if you don't go? Is the ceremony something you're doing for mom and dad?

Just mull it over. Follow your heart.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I would go to the open house. The pinning is a great memory but if you can make connections at the open house, why not go?

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I know the deal about 'connections', but if I had those right now, I wouldn't be worried about an open house, now would I?

Lol, Jk.

Btw, I know a few people (family friend who is an RN, family friend who USED to be on the board at a major hospital-like that matters anymore, and my dad's girlfriend's daughter who is a resident technically works at NYU langone, where I'm very interested in working ...yet I still don't have a job b/c they want bachelors nurses.

Sometimes you need to know people-Im sure it's better than not knowing someone, but unless they're "beSties" with the hiring manager, or it is the hiring manager, chances are you're SOL. That, or a close relative of yours is currently on the board and donates all his/her money...maybe that'll help.

I'm sorry, I got carried away with this.

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Seeing how I live 5 hours away, I most likely won't see these girls again. That's why I'm like, "See ya, I think I'll go to that open house while you guys are still scratching your heads, trying to figure out what to do next". nooo i'm jk, lol. But yes, it's the "only-happens-once" nature of it that makes me feel like I'm gonna miss out.

I have to call HR and, 1. confirm there is def an open house on Thursday, and 2, Should i bother coming if i don't have my license, let alone a date to take the NCLEX? I need to consider these things..:/

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I think those are great questions to ask when you call HR.

Do you have any desire to work where you did your clinicals? Have you made any connections there?

I'm not kidding about weird connections though. A classmate of mine happens to have a family friend who happens to be close friends with a nurse that created a certification for a specialty that interests him, and is now connecting the two of them. He had NO idea! Honestly, you just never know, so that's what I mean about really putting it out there. One of my instructors said she got one job through her dry cleaner. Every job she's had she got through a connection.

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I would go to pinning, but that's just me! I can't wait for mine to happen this December. I am actually going to inquire if my mom can pin me since she is a retired nurse herself. Thought that would be kinda special!

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No way I don't want to work in a rural setting. The place I was at for the last year (same place, both semesters) is closing down (they just shut down their ICU, and 2 RT's just quit and so did an aid, and apparently a doctor was looking for new work too..i don't know what's happening to that place).

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