Venting my feelings out

[Rgrnurse]

Hi you guys,

Like many new grads, I'm here searching for a new graduate position. I graduated in May 2014, and I took my NCLEX in July and passed. I'm eager to get back into the hospital, but even getting an interview to a hospital is extremely difficult. I really wanted to use this time to vent my feelings because of what happened just within the past few days. I wanted to know your honest feelings, advice, and support.

I have been feeling sad this past few days because I have went on about three interviews: the first, I totally bombed and I knew it, second and third I felt more confident but I did not land the job.

When I saw a new graduate RN program open up at my mom's hospital, where she is the charge nurse of one of the ICUs, which by the way is my dream job, I decided to apply. This hospital was where I first volunteered at for a year on the ICU, DOU, and telemetry, and it really gave me the inspiration to start nursing as a career.

Once I got an interview, I practiced for hours, and I interviewed with the ICU manager, director, and educator. I honestly felt very confident after the interview, and the director and educator went up to my mom that night and said that I did very well in the interview, but the decision is up to the manager.

The ICU manager and my mom had a big conflict in the past when they were both staff nurses. My mom told me they were both competing for the manager position, which resulted in a conflict.

The educator and director even called me and said they will try to persuade the manager into hiring me into one of the five positions in a unit different than my mom's. After they spoke to the manager, both told me that the manager said, " I never considered hiring him before I saw him." I would like to think that my mom and the manager's conflict affected the manager's decision.

I'm honestly upset after looking for days for a perfect position. This was the hospital that inspired me to get into nursing, and it has multiple ICUs, which has attracted me even more. I haven't heard from many hospitals, but getting rejected by this one takes the most toll on my heart.

What are your guys' thoughts about this? Is there any advice or words of encouragement you can give me? I'm honestly getting tired of the job search.

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Please don't get frustrated after "a few days", things really do not move that fast. It took me two months post-license and compared to my classmates that was fast.

That said, surely there are other NMs in that hospital that your mother is on great terms with and she can put in a word for you. Utilize all of your contacts. Had a great preceptor on a clinical that would remember how awesome you are? Contact her, ask if she would put a word in for you next time a slot opens. Beyond contacts, many people on these boards found going to a rural area close enough to drive to from whatever city they are in got them better results than being real close to home.

Finally, apply at clinics, SNFs, LTCs, whatever it takes.

Best of luck!

[RunBabyRN]

Are there any other ICUs in the hospital with different managers, aside from this one and your mom? Maybe the director and educator could put in a good word for you there?

Gotta love politics. SIGH. They suck.

[SionainnRN]

I think it was beyond inappropriate for any of those people to talk to your mom. You are not a minor, your job has nothing to do with her. You may have dodged a bullet there. I can't say anything other than keep plugging away. Good luck!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I don't know of any organization that will allow family members to work in the same area if one is in a supervisory position over the other one.

[JAustenRN]

I graduated in May too with a really specific ideal job in mind. No one called me for a few months, and about a month ago I got a bunch of calls all at once. I think it was a combination of the fall hiring season coming up and researching some more hospitals. Try broadening your search to other in state and neighbor state hospitals if that's a possibility for you. You can do it! You just need one good job offer :)