Tell me how a nurse with no psych experience and no psych certification get picked o?

[edchunt, BSN, RN]

Hey all,

I currently work at the VA medical center here. I interviewed along with two others from our acute psych unit and 4 other internal candidates from the med-surg and ER. None of us three from the psych unit were selected. I have been doing psych nursing for seven years and hold an ANCC psych certification. None of the otheres are certified and the two that were selected have zero psych experience. One is a new nurse/one year experience and the other is ER nurse. How did this just happen? Oh, by the way, the job is in the Mental Health clinic working 8 to 430 weekends and holidays off. I just cannot figure this one out!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Wow O_o I don't even know where to begin with that one...I'm surprised since most outpatient psych jobs require at least a year or two of experience. It's not just seeing the patient for two minutes to hand out medications...at least my outpatient job isn't, nor are most of the ones I know.

I'm sorry you didn't get picked. If what you say about the other candidates is true, the only thing I can think of is that they didn't want to lose you three on the psych units.

[algebra_demystified]

PEBCAK

This means they made an idiotic error. - M.

[smn2010, BSN, RN]

...got picked for what job??? a management position?? a lead nurse position??? a routine clinic nurse job dealing with outpatients/people (vets) in the community???.....

not knowing you personally or your character (i.e. how you come across at work to others) makes it difficult for anyone to answer your question.

you need to realize that job openings, when filled, are not solely based upon certificates you hold, years of experience, etc. often times it is how you come across during the interview. additionally, you do not have to be a psych nurse to "have" psych experience. all nurses deal with psych issues, whether they realize it or not. med-surg and er patients in particular often have secondary (underlying) diagnoses that involve, bipolar disorders, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. so the other nurses you referenced do have experience dealing with psych patients whether you which to admit that or not. as for the new nurse with one year of experience, you did not indicate what her previous work experience/background consisted of or do you even know??? . maybe, he/she is an ex-vet, has previous experience working at a clinic or in a similar environment, worked on an outpatient treatment team (...whether as a nurse or not...)!!

behind the scenes much information that you are not privey to holds the key as to why one person got a job over another. additionally, i have found that nurses who hold certificates in certain fields tend to hold themselves in a "holier than thou" positions and have superior/self righteous attitudes when they do not need to. often, perceiving themselves as "better" than others because of a certificate. i'm not referencing you here, ....i'm just saying (in general)....

but, you may need to ask yourself, "how do others perceive me???" do i work well with others (not just other nurses but with secretaries, aides, techs, etc.) ask yourself, "do i interview well?" have your previous annual performance reviews been positive? ask yourself, "did i come across as "a cockey psych know-it-all" during the interview?" when you find the answer to these questions, you may have an idea as to "why" you did not get the position.

if it bothers you that much that you did not get the position that you seem to feel you had easily "in the bag," maybe you should ask the hiring entities where you were "lacking" in the interview process. just ask in a professional manner what you need to do to make improvements, if necessary, should another position become available.

no offense, just my 2 cents; but....just playing devil's advocate here in response to your question....

find out the answers to the questions, talk to the individuals that made the final hiring decision....set your mind at ease once you receive the results....and.....make changes, if necessary, in order to prepare for the next job opening that becomes available.

[IKnowYouRider]

This:

Not knowing you personally or your character (i.e. how you come across at work to others) makes it difficult for anyone to answer your question.

And This:

ALL NURSES deal with psych issues, whether they realize it or not. Med-Surg and ER patients in particular often have secondary (underlying) diagnoses that involve, bipolar disorders, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. so the other nurses you referenced DO have experience dealing with psych patients whether you which to admit that or not.

My first job out of school has been a position on an acute/crisis intervention floor. I recall that during the interview there were a lot of questions that having a certificate/experience would not have helped formulate a 'better' answer. For example, "What do you feel the role of the psych nurse is?" or, "Why do you feel you have special empathy for psych patients". I found that even my 2 years tech experience on a post-op floor helped me tremendously, and I'm sure its questions like the previous examples that helped be land the job.

I hope the previous poster didn't anger you too much to help you, because he/she sounds like they're trying to help you get down to the 'nitty-gritty' of what's going on.

[smn2010, BSN, RN]

IKnowYouRider:

Thanks for your comment. My intent is NOT to anger anyone. As I stated, I was playing devil's advocate. :)

Everyone needs to keep in mind that the outward skills/abilities that you may know about your competitors (when seeking a transfer/promotion, etc.) are not everything. Noone tells everyone all about themselves. Especially when it comes to past work experience. Don't assume minimal years of experience, lack of working in a particular unit (psych), etc. are all that is involved in the hiring process. It's previous experience/history, interviewing skills, etc. that can improve one's chances at getting a job. And, this "previous experience/history" may be something that you/others are not even aware of.

The right job for you is out there. Just be patient. :)

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

seniority?

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Is your position difficult to fill that they would leave you there and pick someone with so little psych experience? I've seen it happen where I work.

A more plausable reason is exactly what Ruby Vee stated.....seniority.

[algebra_demystified]

Another way of asking the question is, "Why did I, with all my experience, get passed over? What did I miss? Why was this other candidate with no experience chosen over me?"

Maybe there's another organization that would be more appreciative of your experience and skill level.