VERY Important Interview Question!!!

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Specializes in ER/Onc/?.

:imbar Hello everyone, I need some advice about an upcoming interview that is VERY important to me! The position is on a Mother/Baby unit and I want this job BADLY, more than anything..... and I know ahead of time I have competition for it :uhoh3:. Here is some background info first.... graduated May 2007 with my BSN and moved 5 hours away from home to accept my first nursing position with a large health system in a crazy busy ER. The hiring manager promised me day shift and a wonderful 6 month orientation and preceptorship program.... so I signed a contract for 36 months and accepted the bonus after passing my boards. Nobody went over the contract with me, or signed it with me, no witness or any explanation of the terms. This was my first warning of things to come.

Needless to say, nothing was as agreed. The manager who hired me in the first place left on surgical leave and never even returned! So here I was, a new grad.... in a new city.... working in an extremely busy ER with NO preceptor.... NO orientation... and NO support! I wasn't even on the schedule or made aware of what days I was to work, what time to be there, etc.! To say I was stressed is a huge understatement, I felt unsafe and incompetent!! :angryfire:nono: Not to mention completely lost. I floundered around for a while, working in minor care because they were the only ones who would take me... but wouldn't orient me or give me a schedule. I was making my way the best I could, while getting yelled at by doctors and techs because I didn't know how to do things that nobody was showing me where to begin to learn. It was unbelievable, and I cried all the time staying sick and anxious.

So I requested a transfer, and was met with a lot of resistance from management as well as HR. One of the PAs in the ER felt so bad for me that he took me to meet the Oncology unit manager on the unit where his wife was working. I met with her, and they approved my transfer to that unit because there was such a need for staff there. Unfortunately, I thought I was getting out of a horrible situation and moving to something positive... turned out I was WRONG again. More of the same, poor orientation and no support. I was floundering again and very stressed although I at least felt more comfortable with my nursing skills at that point. The patient acuity was bad, lots of ethical issues.... and staff/physician attitudes were awful. I was physically and mentally breaking down. So when my health became in jeopardy, meaning throwing up, not sleeping or eating, anxiety and panic attacks... I told the manager I was leaving. I managed to stick it out with this hospital for a total of 8 months before I couldn't take anymore physically or mentally and knew I had to get out. So I did, and didn't finish my notice because I was unable.

So now that I've given the background, here is my concern. I have to use this hospital as my reference because it has been my only "real" nursing job after school. When I go for the interview I know they will ask why I left this other hospital. I want to be completely honest and tell them the conditions and lack of support or orientation, and unprofessionalism I encountered. My concern is I don't want to bash the hospital or sound like a potential "trouble nurse" and ruin my chances for getting this job! I am already worried this hospital will not give me a positive reference because I didn't finish my notice completely. Add to that my limited experience.... and you get the idea. Any advice on how I should approach this would be so greatly appreciated! Thank you

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Be honest, but be honest about both sides of it. Is there anything at all that you had even the smallest part in? Did the contract have something in it that you should have seen but didn't because you didn't read it? If so, that's on you. Never assume that someone will go over a contract with you, it's your responsibility to read and understand it, before signing.

If not, then be honest but don't bash: "I was promised a preceptorship but the manager who hired me left soon after and the replacement did not follow through."

Say something personal: "I know I did poorly there but I believe that with the right guidance I can be a good nurse."

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Specializes in surgical, neuro, education.

Sorry your first nursing job was such a negative experience. I would be truthful with this interviewer. Try to stress the positive things you got from your 8 months. Also am curious re: this contract. Are there any legal ramifications for accepting bonus and not fulfulling committment? I hope you did come away from all this realizing you need to read any contract you sign.

The lack of orientation and placing a new grad in a busy ER is not good policy. Who took over after your NM left? Did you take this up with HR while you were going through whole situation? In your next position--make sure there is a good orientation and preceptor program. Mat nursing is a specialty and many places will cross train you in Mother/Baby, labor/delivery, pt education etc.

A job interview is not just for the HR person to get to know you--it is also to see if this facility is a good fit for you too. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Going back to your previous job--you can ask about what type of reference they gave you. Good luck. Take time before interview to jot down what questions you want answer. Like I said--not only be honest, but explain what occured right up front. Try to be objective so you don't sound like your ********-describe your experience with orientation (if any). Hang in there--Nursing is so varied you will find something that is your nitch.

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Specializes in ER/Onc/?.
Be honest, but be honest about both sides of it. Is there anything at all that you had even the smallest part in? Did the contract have something in it that you should have seen but didn't because you didn't read it? If so, that's on you. Never assume that someone will go over a contract with you, it's your responsibility to read and understand it, before signing.

If not, then be honest but don't bash: "I was promised a preceptorship but the manager who hired me left soon after and the replacement did not follow through."

Say something personal: "I know I did poorly there but I believe that with the right guidance I can be a good nurse."

I did read the contract, and signed it. I was hesitant about turning it in without anybody from HR going over it, or the manager being present.... but I did it anyway. I know it was a big mistake, and I regret doing it. I should have been more assertive and questioning with them.

I actually got a performance review before I left the hospital. It rated me as average on everything and where I should be in every area except team building, which stated I need to take more initiative in building relationships with co-workers. I nearly laughed out loud reading it, I was thinking about how little my manager knew about me or what was even going on in the unit. She was hardly ever there and usually didn't respond to my emails. Anyway, when I told her I was leaving she said I was a good nurse that takes excellent care of my patients... she wished me luck finding the right job, everybody would be sad to see me leave... that I could come back if I changed my mind in the future. This was before I didn't finish my notice. I tried very hard to finish it, but with things that were going on in the unit and my mental and physical state at the time, I couldn't even get out of bed to go in another day. I had 6 days left, and told her I couldn't do it. She did not even care to be honest, said she understood and wished me well, but hoped I would change my mind and come in.

Thank you for your suggestions, but I already feel that this interview will not go well. I'm considering another career altogether because of the experience I've had so far. For me, it isn't worth it to put myself through so much pain, anxiety, depression, and fear for any job. I want to be a Mother/Baby/L&D nurse, but I know my vision of what it will be like is probably very naive and far from reality. I took the ER position out of school because that was where I did my senior precepting and felt that working there would sharpen a lot of my nursing skills so I would have the experience to help me get into Women's Health (here they are competitive for positions and not willing to hire new grads). I'm still recovering from my breakdown, and I have been off for almost a month now.

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Specializes in ER/Onc/?.
Sorry your first nursing job was such a negative experience. I would be truthful with this interviewer. Try to stress the positive things you got from your 8 months. Also am curious re: this contract. Are there any legal ramifications for accepting bonus and not fulfulling committment? I hope you did come away from all this realizing you need to read any contract you sign.

The lack of orientation and placing a new grad in a busy ER is not good policy. Who took over after your NM left? Did you take this up with HR while you were going through whole situation? In your next position--make sure there is a good orientation and preceptor program. Mat nursing is a specialty and many places will cross train you in Mother/Baby, labor/delivery, pt education etc.

A job interview is not just for the HR person to get to know you--it is also to see if this facility is a good fit for you too. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Going back to your previous job--you can ask about what type of reference they gave you. Good luck. Take time before interview to jot down what questions you want answer. Like I said--not only be honest, but explain what occured right up front. Try to be objective so you don't sound like your ********-describe your experience with orientation (if any). Hang in there--Nursing is so varied you will find something that is your nitch.

Although I haven't consulted a lawyer to find out, I don't see how the contract could be legally enforced. The places for the signature of HR and the manager are left blank because they did not sign it with me. I'd guess there are probably ways around it for them though, not sure. I haven't heard from them about repayment yet, they are in some trouble legally at the moment from what I have heard (JCAHO related). BTW, I read the contract, just made the mistake of turning it in without questioning them about it.

The unit educator and the MA were running the ER when I was there. They were of no help to me, I tried to go to them both. HR was also not helpful, the assistant was the only one who would talk to me, the others were at "meetings" or not available/didn't return my calls/emails. I tried every resource, even the education department. They were friends with administration and only had their jobs because they didn't like/couldn't cut it with bedside nursing. I know this from a reliable source who has worked with this health system for 20+ years. I didn't find any of it out until it was already too late, unfortunately.

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Specializes in NICU,ICU,ER,MS,CHG.SUP,PSYCH,GERI.

NO,no,no...don't give up! We are out here, you just have to find us. We are old experienced nurses who do not eat our young! We love to teach! I precepted a girl for 6 months in the NICU! I am a night supervisor on a busy unit with brand new LVN Grads...I teach them gladly all the time. Maybe you need to move to another geographical area. Go to a smaller place.Just keep trying.Your are our future!

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Specializes in ER/Onc/?.

Thank you, jmtndl....I guess I'm still feeling pretty negative. This interview is with a smaller health system that I have heard good things about. It has taken a lot for me to even put myself out there and look for another nursing job. I turned down a Home Health offer because I went for the interview too soon after leaving the hospital and didn't think I would be able to do it. I hope I'm ready and recovered soon. Right now it feels like I'm fighting an uphill battle, I do want this job but I'm afraid of what it will be like if I do get it.... and I feel like the competition will have an advantage anyway with my bad reference. I want to at least do my best at the interview, and hope for whatever is meant to be to fall into place somehow. There is still something in me that wants to make a difference and help people.

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Have to agree with the others and urge you not go give up after one place-first year (or two) in nursing are such eye-opening times anyway because the 'real world' is often so different than what is in textbooks and clinicals.

I would bet if there were a poll, many of us have one of those early positions that didn't end well, or cause worry for one reason or another-twenty years from now, it won't matter as much because you'll have the security of experience, right now it's out of proportion a bit as to the importance of it because you have only the one nursing experience on your resume.

An interview is an excellent opportunity to shine, use what seems negative to you right now to your advantage! For example, a former employer can only give HR info (dates worked, if eligible for rehire, etc). But when I have been hiring manager, I always ask the candidate why they left or are leaving, interested in the reason but honestly also in how they present the information. As in, complaining and everything was terrible, etc (may be true, but may also be an indication of attitude, personality, etc). However, you can take it and roll with it by explaining what your perception was in the beginning ("I was a brand new nurse, and since there was a contract, I fully expected a thorough orientation, preceptors working with me until I was 'safe' ") and then go the step beyond and explain what you've learned, you will appear responsible, mature and professional ("I still learned a lot from the experience, to ask more questions, to take charge of my own information, in addition to gaining some in the trenches nursing experience in a less than ideal situation-and I survived!")

Wordsmithing any situation can make all the difference in the world-chalk it up to experience and you'll be fine.

Best of luck-you have chosen a truly noble profession, it has a lot of bumps in the road but will never be dull!;)

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be sure and let them know that you really need some orientation because of your past bad experience

if you don't get this job don't throw out the baby with the bath water

there are a lot of other jobs which are slower paced and you can use all your knowledge and skills

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if you don't get this job don't throw out the baby with the bath water there are a lot of other jobs which are slower paced and you can use all your knowledge and skills

Examples, please of a "slower paced" nursing job that isn't a total dead-end? Thx!!! :confused:

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You state a number of positives: 1. a good performance review. with one area needing improvement. 2. You state that your sup. stated she understood, saw you as a good nurse, and wished you well 3. even after you announce that you would not stay till the end of your notice.

Then you state you "just know this interview will not go well." You seem to "know" you will get a bad reference.

I can not look at the positives and feel your conclusions is justified.

Simply tell the interviewer this was not a good fit for you. You are looking for a mother baby position. Since you are a new nurse you need to know that this new position has a good perceptorship program. That they will not turn you loose before you are ready.

Stop awfullizing about this. You are not the first nurse to be in this situation. It is not the gloom and doom you imagine.

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Specializes in ER/Onc/?.

Slow paced nursing jobs???!!! A few examples would be great! LOL I'm j/k of course, don't mind being busy because it does make the day go by faster, as long as it is a "safe busy" and I can give my patients the care they need.

"Safe busy" hmmmm...... does that exist in nursing?

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