1st Job Interview ...Discouraged

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Hey everyone, i have been a frequent 'reader' on this site and now i feel like i have become a victim to one of the problems frequently listed on this site. I got my first interview as a new grad last week. It went great ! I repeat it went great ! The nurse recruiter was impressed! and so was the nurse manager ! I interviewed with each of them. I was not too nervous so my mind was 'clear' and i was able to answer all questions effectively. At the end of the interview the nurse manager told me she will def. email me dates to come shadow with a nurse to get a headstart. She didnt 'officially' offer me the job but i didnt bother to confirm b/c i thought it was obvious i had nailed this one. long story short... the following week i receive an email from the recruiter saying they cannot offer me the job b/c the feedback gotten from the unit i interviewed on was that my critical thinking skills were not up to the level required for the residency prog...I was in shock! I emailed the nurse manager whom i had interviewed with and she tld me I did really well with the qns, esp. the clinical qns , but the next interviewee who came in after me was just more 'qualified' and more 'prepared' ... I have put my nclex studying prog on pause for a day to figure out exactly , how i would have appeared more 'qualified' , what i shld have said or not said, b/c i honestly dnt knw how differently i would have tackled that interview. I am almost havin a migraine thinkin about all this.

Please any advise wld be much appreciated. i knw i am ranting but i hope some1 out there understands my situation.

Thanks

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I'm sorry to gear that . What type of questions did they asked you ? Please share ?

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I'm sorry to gear that . What type of questions did they asked you ? Please share ?

The recruiter asked me basic personal qns like why did you choose nursing, why this hospital, what do u think about teamwork etc I answered them well b/c her responses were words like " great' " that's excellent" , " you r right" . plus she kept noding the whole time i was talking meanin she was agreeing with me. - The nurse manager asked me clinical scenario qns wh i nailed them cuz i thought they were easy. She also asked me about my last nursc school clinical experience n then gave me a tour of her unit...

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To me, it feels like the candidate after you took a shining to the manager and unfortunately he or she was chosen instead of you. Take it as a learning experience to have under your belt. Perhaps the other candidate have a Rn licensed already or more certifications ie acts, pals etc... Focus on studying on your nclex, get the licensed and then you be an ideal candidate.

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She gave you the answer---the shadowing did you in. Could you have been too relaxed or nervous there? Probably. It's ok! This wasn't your job! Your job is out there, you just haven't found it yet!!!!!!

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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Specializes in Aesthetics, Family Medicine.

I'm sorry that happened...but unfortunately it does happen to us! I went through the same thing. Gave a stellar interview and they appeared to love me as well, but after weeks of waiting, I finally got the dreaded "another candidate has been chosen." It bummed me out because it was for a company I reaaaaally wanted to work for, but I ended up with a job that I LOVE. So take it as a learning experience. Don't dwell on what you did wrong. Sometimes you can do everything right, and someone comes along that will do everything better. That's just how it is. Try adding more certifications to your resume in the meantime and be persistent. Good luck!!!

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thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words guys. I was not relaxed nor nervous. I was just .. comfortable. I know my job is out there. But i just really wish i cld have solved one major prob as a new grad - finding a hospital job. But i am so done with the job hunt till i pass my nclex. i dnt think i cant take any more rejection , added to this stage of me preparing for my nclex exam which actually validates my whole nursing school experience. I appreciate you all. I am staying strong ! And praying for strength at the same time. I cant wait to get past this " new grad " stage .

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Specializes in MedSurg, PACU, Maternal/Child Health.

I had the same experience. I have worked in health care for years (not as a nurse) and more recently 8 months as RN at a clinic seeing patients and also doing case management. Each interview the HR or panel of nurses or tha manager all gave me the same impression that they are so happy to hear about me and are barely holding back offering me the position right then. In the end, no offer. No idea why. At least they could have given a hint during the interview. For some reason, new grads who some healthcare experience have less luck than new grads with no health experience at all. so much for out efforts :(

However keep going, apply to everything. Luck hits everyone at some point though some way sooner than others.

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I had the same experience. I have worked in health care for years (not as a nurse) and more recently 8 months as RN at a clinic seeing patients and also doing case management. Each interview the HR or panel of nurses or tha manager all gave me the same impression that they are so happy to hear about me and are barely holding back offering me the position right then. In the end, no offer. No idea why. At least they could have given a hint during the interview. For some reason, new grads who some healthcare experience have less luck than new grads with no health experience at all. so much for out efforts :(

However keep going, apply to everything. Luck hits everyone at some point though some way sooner than others.

Thanks estrellaCR , i am a new grad with a year of nurse tech experience. I even feel like i was sorted out in the midst of hundreds of applicants b/c of this experience. But look how the job just slipped off my fingers. I think you shld always call back n ask y you were passed over for the next candidate. I ALWAYS do. that way u knw how to improve. Eventhough in my case here the recruiter's feedback didnt help b/c she cldnt give me any specific reason...

But yea, I won't give up.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Neuro, Respiratory.

I'm sorry to hear about this, and I hope you interview for another great position soon! A good thing about this situation is that you can take your interview experience and use it as a learning experience.

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Hey everyone, i have been a frequent 'reader' on this site and now i feel like i have become a victim to one of the problems frequently listed on this site. I got my first interview as a new grad last week. It went great ! I repeat it went great ! The nurse recruiter was impressed! and so was the nurse manager ! I interviewed with each of them. I was not too nervous so my mind was 'clear' and i was able to answer all questions effectively. At the end of the interview the nurse manager told me she will def. email me dates to come shadow with a nurse to get a headstart. She didnt 'officially' offer me the job but i didnt bother to confirm b/c i thought it was obvious i had nailed this one. long story short... the following week i receive an email from the recruiter saying they cannot offer me the job b/c the feedback gotten from the unit i interviewed on was that my critical thinking skills were not up to the level required for the residency prog...I was in shock! I emailed the nurse manager whom i had interviewed with and she tld me I did really well with the qns, esp. the clinical qns , but the next interviewee who came in after me was just more 'qualified' and more 'prepared' ... I have put my nclex studying prog on pause for a day to figure out exactly , how i would have appeared more 'qualified' , what i shld have said or not said, b/c i honestly dnt knw how differently i would have tackled that interview. I am almost havin a migraine thinkin about all this.

Please any advise wld be much appreciated. i knw i am ranting but i hope some1 out there understands my situation.

Thanks

Unfortunately at times, there will be someone who appears more qualified than you regardless of how well you do on an interview, but in that same manner you will appear more qualified than someone else too. It sounds like you did very well , I too called back to find out why I was passed over on a position. I had three interviews before I finally got an offer. I had no experience in healthcare. In each interview I thought I did well , so much I was sure I had gotten the position, but someone else either had more experience, higher GPA,, or already had the certifications needed for the unit. From my conversations with recruiters , it is the nurse managers decision. The good thing about reading posts on how hard it is to find a job as a new grad , is to realize you are not alone. But there are success stories too. I started applying after I passed the NCLEX. After three separate interviews, I finally got the interview for a new grad SIU position. I interviewed with the nurse manager , 2 staff members and 2 recruiters and within minutes after leaving I got the call for an offer. It took about 3 months to finally get the the position offer I really wanted. You will find the one hospital that finds you more qualified than someone else enough to hire you. I too have faith in a higher power and trust me I prayed like crazy, I was confident that God would bless me with the right job at the right hospital..at the right time. However it still hurt each time I wasn't chosen. My advice..keep praying and be persistent. After passing the NCLEX,.. work on your certifications..ACL, PALS, BLS so that you can apply to alot more units. Good luck.

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Unfortunately at times, there will be someone who appears more qualified than you regardless of how well you do on an interview, but in that same manner you will appear more qualified than someone else too. It sounds like you did very well , I too called back to find out why I was passed over on a position. I had three interviews before I finally got an offer. I had no experience in healthcare. In each interview I thought I did well , so much I was sure I had gotten the position, but someone else either had more experience, higher GPA,, or already had the certifications needed for the unit. From my conversations with recruiters , it is the nurse managers decision. The good thing about reading posts on how hard it is to find a job as a new grad , is to realize you are not alone. But there are success stories too. I started applying after I passed the NCLEX. After three separate interviews, I finally got the interview for a new grad SIU position. I interviewed with the nurse manager , 2 staff members and 2 recruiters and within minutes after leaving I got the call for an offer. It took about 3 months to finally get the the position offer I really wanted. You will find the one hospital that finds you more qualified than someone else enough to hire you. I too have faith in a higher power and trust me I prayed like crazy, I was confident that God would bless me with the right job at the right hospital..at the right time. However it still hurt each time I wasn't chosen. My advice..keep praying and be persistent. After passing the NCLEX,.. work on your certifications..ACL, PALS, BLS so that you can apply to alot more units. Good luck.

Thank you so much for your advice. I am focused on my nclex now and i knw MY JOB is waiting for me. I can't wait! Good luck as you begin your nursing career.

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