Should I worry about a job rejecting me if they are assigning me to multiple shadow shifts and interviews?

[dsaprog, BSN, RN]

I've done 3 interviews and 1 (soon to be 2) unpaid shadow shifts with a job I applied for over a month ago. They are kind of stringing me along with no offer of employment or clear picture of when I would start if I am hired. I really bombed the last interview that I had with them because I was not ready for any of their questions and was unable to give a clear and descriptive answer to most of the questions I was asked. I am afraid of them ultimately rejecting my application and wasting my time. I have been waiting for the past month for this job, and after my next shadow shift, will have spent more than 12 hours on interviewing and shadowing with them.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

You're in a tough position.

My advice is to set some boundaries. Do you feel you have already learned everything you needed to from the shadow experiences? Are you sure you want the position? Do you have any other interviews or offers coming up? If so, are you considering them? These are the questions to ask yourself before communicating your boundaries.

If you don't already have other applications out, put them out there, no matter how you're feeling about this job. It's always good to have options.

If you feel like you've already decided that you definitely want the job as your first choice, then consider how much longer you would be willing to shadow, if at all.

Then communicate clearly to the hiring manager.

ex:

I appreciate the shadowing experiences, they have helped me understand how everything works here, I know I want the job. I need a decision on my application by next Friday.

OR
 

This is my first choice for my next job. However, I will take another offer if I don't have a decision by next Friday. 
 

Be clear and state your intentions plainly

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Sounds like my experience with my current employer. It was a ridiculously slow hiring and onboarding experience. It was three interviews and two shadow days before I received a formal offer, then a delayed start date because of their onboarding training schedule. From first interview to formal offer letter took about a month and then it was another 6 weeks until the start date. If I had been in a financial position where I needed immediate employment I could not have accepted the job. As I was currently employed though I didn't need to try to speed the process along.

If you need a decision sooner rather than later reach out to the recruiter if you are working with one, or the hiring manager if you are working directly with them. Of course then you do run the risk of them going with another candidate if it's position with several applicants so that can be a tough call. If you want the job and are in a position to be patient a slow hiring process isn't necessarily a red flag, some companies are just that poky.