VENT!!!! This Stinks

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

OK, now I'm getting mad. I went to the RN-BN program orientation today and the manager I interviewed with was there. Now he tells me that though he has no problem with my LPN job history, HR seems to so they are conducting a "review". How long this will take he doesn't know as its now "out of his hands". I thought if a manager wanted to hire you HR couldn't do anything about it since its not thier decision to make.

I am so mad right now, I've been calling and calling for a month. I was told the last time I talked to this guy that things were fine. I've called since and got no return calls. I know HR can be slow but this is ridiculous. I am calling them tomorrow and asking them exactly what is the problem. Is there a question they need answered or something? Yeah, I had some short stays on my employment history. I am honest about it, can't hide it you know. But I feel like I'm being jerked around. I so feel like informing them also that my chance to finish my BSN hinges on this, not that they'd care of course.

I am so sick and tired of my LPN job history being used against me like this. The only thing I can do to change the past is to work and prove my reliability, but how the heck can I do that when I a) can't get the d#@$ interview or b) runs into HR black hole?

At this rate I'll never get my permanent license in KY because without a job I can't do the clinical internship, no clinical internship= no license even after taking and passing boards. I have my boards scheduled for Sept 23rd. Yet somehow I don't think my situation will improve any before then. Some of my friends think I should accept a job anywhere even if its a place I have absolutely no interest in working just to have a job. Sounds like a good idea, but in reality its not if your trying to prove your reliability and longevity at a place. I don't want to get a job someplace just to say I have a job, knowing I'll leave at the first chance I get. I want to work NICU, but I am realistic to know that I probably won't get it so I have been applying to many other units at more than one hospital.

I don't know what to do anymore. I'm discouraged, disgusted, and feeling I wasted a year of my life getting a degree that I can't use. I feel like prosective employers are effectively barring me from getting my license, whether they realize it or not. I'm just lucky KY recently changed the law to allow one to take the NCLEX BEFORE getting the clinical internship otherwise I wouldn't even be able to register or take boards without having a job first.

I'm trying to be confident that I'll pass my boards on the first try. Once I do, if I still don't have a job I'm leaving KY. At least other states will give me my license once I take and pass boards. Though right now I can't even apply out of state until I take and PASS.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

zoobyli, I am so sorry this is happening to you! At this rate, have you considered looking at nursing home jobs? I know that's not what you want, but it'll get you where you need to go at this point. (((Sending good vibes your way)))

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I'm beginning to think about it. The problem is I really hated working in nursing homes. It took me years to get the experience needed to break out of long term care. I'm afraid that it will again take me years to "get out of LTC" once back in. I ran into that "you need acute care experience" catch-22 as an LPN looking for a job in a hospital, I don't want to have the same problem as an RN.

I mean, I hate the idea of getting a job just to get one...especially in an area I hate. I'm crying as I type this. I went to school to open up my opportunities since hospital LPN positions are being phased out again. Now it seems that I wasted my time as no one wants to give me a chance. Its one thing to have an interview and not get selected, but I'm not getting interviews. So there must be something about me that employers don't want. I've redone my resume 6 times, going from listing every employer, to jus the past 5 years, to summarizing all 13 years and trying to highlight that I'm now an RN applicant. Other than out right lying on my resume there is not much more I can do.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I called the HR in question and asked for a status update and was told the hiring manager looks over the applications (which I already knew). I explained that I had already interviewed and was told I had the job, that he was waiting for a req# to open. I when I talked last said that HR was "reviewing" my application due to my job history. She had no clue as to what I was talking about. Said she'd talk to the manager anc call me back. Well, no call back and I doubt I'll get one. I guess I might as well wash my hands of what would have been a good unit to work on. If they don't want to hire me, just say so...don't give me the run around.

I called the nurse recruiter for Kosair Children's to check on the status of my application there. Right before I checked my email and saw yet another email stating "though your credentials are impressive, we have decided to move ahead with another applicant". I am so tired of applying for something and getting an email like that without even the benefit of an interview. So I decided to call and ask, of course I get voicemail.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Zoobyli- the best way to get into Kosair may be to work at another Norton hospital first. Their current employees get first dibs on the Kosair positions, and those jobs are posted on the employee job board before they are made public.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

The problem is, it doesn't seem to matter which Norton facility I apply to. I apply one night and by the very next day I get an email saying "though your credentials are impressive..blah, blah, blah....check the website and apply for another position". I mean does anyone even have time to look at an application when I apply at midnight and a little over 12hrs later I get one of those emails? and I'm a former Norton employee as I worked at Audubon and I am eligible for rehire.

I'm so discouraged right now, and disgusted with this whole process. And the fact that nurse recruiters can't seem to return phone calls.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Zoobyli- I used to be in management there. Would you like me to look over your resume? You can email it to me, if you wish.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Good luck, zooblyi.

BBFRN, you're nice.

:)

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

Sent you a PM.

I just don't understand what is wrong. I really don't. Even with a poor job history it shouldn't take this long should it?

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I wish I had started using this forum before I started my job search. Perhaps I could have ran my resume by someone before I graduated.

[Jakamatak]

Sorry, but I am new here and I just can't understand what lurks in your LPN history that is haunting you now???

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Sorry, but I am new here and I just can't understand what lurks in your LPN history that is haunting you now???

She doesn't have to have a lurking problem in her past to have problems getting started at Norton. They're HR dept is notoriously slow & disorganized.