Should I just move on?

sunnyjohn · Jul 22, 2005

They sound disorganized.

I'd start looking for a new job just in case this one does not materialise.

Jami RN, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2005

I would surmise that they must not be in need of nurses if they can't make a simple accommodation like including you in their CPR class. Honestly, I'd call the recruiter's bluff and tell her, "I have not been successful in finding a community CPR class that meets your requirements. If I can't take the class that the hospital offers, then I'll have to rescind my acceptance of the position and go elsewhere. I've spent too much time trying to solve this problem and don't feel supported by the hospital." I'll bet she'll get you into the next class, but if she doesn't, it will show the lack of support this hospital has for it's employees and you're better off not working there in the first place.

As far as making the HR people mad (I'm an HR person), don't sweat it -- once you get to the floor, they don't have a lot to do with your work life unless you have problems and require their help. The whole thing is a red flag to me -- if you don't get the support you need from HR (and employee support is 80% of HR's job), then it's not a great organization to work for. The HR department that isn't supporting you at a time when they should be trying to make a great impression, is the same HR department you may need if you're being discriminated against or treated unfairly in the future. Scary thought, isn't it!

Best wishes -- I hope it works out for you in the end!

Jami

Jo Dirt · Jul 22, 2005

I'd forget that place. If they have no regard for you now what kind of regard can you expect later on?

They sound incompetent to me.

pie123 · Jul 22, 2005

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to my post. I have decided to seek employment elsewhere. I am not in the business of leaving voice mails to express my concerns, but last Tuesday, I did just that--to the nurse recruiter & her supervisor. They were tactful, but also let them know the difficulty that I was having & that I was feeling discouraged by this whole experience. I told them that I was interested in working at the hospital, but I needed to be given correct information. That was not enough to get either of them to call me back. Today makes one week that I have not heard from the Nurse Recruiter & 4 days that I have not heard from her supervisor. Thanks again for responding.

mydesygn · Jul 22, 2005

I recently took a job at my local hospital. I was told by HR that I needed a certain type of CPR. The courses on the list that I was given were either full until middle of September; the course did not meet the hospital's requirements; or accreditation was lost. I left two messages each for HR & the nurse recruiter regarding this--beginning last Thursday. The recruiter told me that the course is offered every Friday for $20, but she did not remember where this was. That has NOT been true. The cost has ranged from $40-$85 & the place that offered it every Friday has lost accreditation. HR told me the course is offered at the hospital, but since I am not technically an employee, I cannot take it.
I just happened to be speaking with the Employee Health Nurse regarding my physical & thought I would ask her if she had any idea of who I could speak with regarding my concerns. She sent me to the nurse recruiter's boss. I talked with this person who seemed very nice. She suggested that I try 3 other hospitals to see if they offer the course for non-employees. She then told me to call her again if I had any problems getting a CPR course. Well...I did have a problem & left her a message saying so 3 days ago. At the same time, I left another message for the nurse recruiter. NEITHER has returned my call. I know these people are busy, probably more than I could ever imagine. But I also get the feeling that they listen to messages & decide which they want to return & it just never happens to be mine. I called my soon-to-be unit manager yesterday & she never called me back. I'm giving her one more chance before I move on. My husband thinks I should just look for another job. But he also says that if I decide that I want to remain in this hospital, not to "Piss off too many people." Hmmm...What do you guys think? Stay there or move on?

The question you need to ask is the nursing enviroment you want. It seems rather minor to turn done a job because of a mix-up in CPR, after-all you can get CPR anywhere if that is your only hurdle. It sounds like you really don't want to work there and a little mix-up with CPR and having to wait a few days for an answer is merely an excuse. You will face far worse tribulations on a job, I have to wonder if you worked in nursing before if this is the deal-breaker for you?

pie123 · Jul 22, 2005

The question you need to ask is the nursing enviroment you want. It seems rather minor to turn done a job because of a mix-up in CPR, after-all you can get CPR anywhere if that is your only hurdle. It sounds like you really don't want to work there and a little mix-up with CPR and having to wait a few days for an answer is merely an excuse. You will face far worse tribulations on a job, I have to wonder if you worked in nursing before if this is the deal-breaker for you?

Well if I didn't want to work there, I certainly would not be going through this. I would have just said forget it. I certainly do not need an excuse to not take a job. I have waited more than a few days for a return call--from 3 people. I have waited for 1 week. I have worked as a nurse apprentice for 2 years, & just finished taking NCLEX. I do not see how being new to nursing has anything to do with the way that business is conducted. I may be new to nursing, but certainly not new to employment in general. CPR is not the only issue. In fact, I have that taken care of. What I do not have taken care of are answers to questions that I have for the nurse recruiter, that are pertinent to my employment with the facility.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Jul 22, 2005

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to my post. I have decided to seek employment elsewhere. I am not in the business of leaving voice mails to express my concerns, but last Tuesday, I did just that--to the nurse recruiter & her supervisor. They were tactful, but also let them know the difficulty that I was having & that I was feeling discouraged by this whole experience. I told them that I was interested in working at the hospital, but I needed to be given correct information. That was not enough to get either of them to call me back. Today makes one week that I have not heard from the Nurse Recruiter & 4 days that I have not heard from her supervisor. Thanks again for responding.

Pie I think you made the right decision. You went with your intuition on this and didn't ignore that small voice telling you something wasn't quite right. :) No one buys the first car they look at while shopping so no need to take the first job that comes along.

Good luck with your job hunt and keep us posted when you get more offers!

FW

ReinventingMyselfAgain, MSN, RN · Jul 22, 2005

pie, i don't blame you for being frustrated. i am not new to nursing, yet i still cannot get used to the incompetence and lack of communication that goes on. i find it very disrespectful to keep someone in the dark like that. i know, i am not on the other side (but have done some supervision, so i've gotten a glimpse of their world), and i know i'm not their only concern (as i'm sure you realize that too). but if you remotely care about your employees, show a little respect and follow up.

i recently had 2 similar situations in which i couldn't get an answer. at one job, my nm asked me if i could 'pick up any shifts' (i'm per-diem). i gave her 2 days i was available, i said i could do one or the other, not both. since was about a week and a half prior to the date. well i finally got an answer the day before. as of sunday, i still didn't know if i was working tues or weds. if i didn't need the $$ so bad, i would have called and said 'forget it, i can't work either one now'. the other situation is still not resolved yet. i'm supposed to be picking up shifts in another dept, to cover a maternity leave. i've been trying to leave my schedule open, as they obviously don't know when she will be out (due at the end of july). they asked me to give them my availability as soon as i knew it, but have they acknowledged me at all? of course not. how long should i wait, and give up other work, because i've now told them when i am available? i hate to keep calling, but this is ridiculous. a simple phone call would make me happy. i know it's out of everyone's control right now, but this is just an example of lack of respect. and yes i am sensitive when it comes to such things. i believe in being kind, polite and respectful (i guess i live in la la land :chuckle ). okay, rant over now

good for you, for not letting them walk over you.

Hoozdo, ADN · Jul 23, 2005

In the job description that I received, it does state that BCLS is required, I have BCLS. The problem is that in my course, AED was not required. I fully understand that the employer is not a babysitter & would not expect that. I have no problem with scheduling courses that I need to take. I do have a problem with being provided with outdated information. I do have a problem with being given a list of courses that do not even meet the criteria. If you read my post, you read that I do not require babysitting, as I mentioned that I was able to get into a course at my brother-in-law's place of employment, this was after telephoning several other places in the valley. My issue is not only the CPR course, it is the total lack of communication regarding anything that has to do with my future employment with this hospital.

Hey Pie,

I am pretty sure I live in the same city as you and just experienced the same problem with getting a CPR class with AED. The class I took at Arrowhead Hospital did not have AED included, (though it was for health care providers). This is not a problem for employment but school for me.

You didn't say what hospital you had a problem with, but, I went through the hiring process at Banner Good Sam in less than a week for an LPN extern job. No jacking around at all and they ACTIVELY recruited me though I still have one semester left to my ADN program. They also have nursing magnent status now. You might want to check it out. If you fill out the application online they will be calling Monday! :)

Lu Ann

shodobe · Jul 23, 2005

I agree with suzanne above, if the hospital really wanted you they would be bending over backwards for you. The course should be offered to you for free at the facility. Just because your not an employee at the time doesn't give them the right to be sending you all over the place for this course. This is like them requiring you to have all of your lab work and physical done somewhere else BEFORE they will hire you. Sounds strange. My place gives a course every week and if an employee needs CPR right away, the instructor will do a one-on-one course just for you. Good luck. Mike

wanna-b-R.N. · Jul 23, 2005

I had about the same experience as your having right now. I had to go to my community college and pay $60.00. When my CPR was on the verge of expiring I was an actual employee they still could not offer me any classes and told me to go somewhere else to get my certification. Well the local Fire Dept. and other resources just were not having any classes anytime soon. What Luck! Anyway they ended up just letting me go. I even injured my arm and the Dr. wanted me off from work for two weeks and instead I just had him put me on light duty and they still did not give me any chances. Basicly they treated me the same way from day one. I truly believe you should find another hospital. I did.... and they are the exact opposite, they offered classes all the time. :)

shodobe · Jul 23, 2005

It seems that pie123 and wanna-b-rn are not RNs yet. This might be the reaso you are being treated this way. Some places will not "bend-over-backwards" if you are not an RN yet. Unfortunatly this happens all the time. Fortunately at my hospital it doesn't happen. We have a very well organized Education department which does everything to keep ALL employees current in their certs. Notices are sent out to department heads that lists employees that need CPR, ACLS or whatever. It is unfortunate that the place you want to work at is less co-operative. Maybe look somewhere else because they obviously don't care hwether you work for them or not. Mike