Waiting to hear back is so sad to do!

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Specializes in GENERAL.

Hello all,

You have always been a wonderful forum for me throughout my nursing journey, from nursing school to taking the NCLEX, and now looking for a job. I had a great interview on Monday and I thought it went so good. They were going to interview others on Wednesday. My interview lasted almost 45 min. They asked me so many questions. Then in the end they asked about my personal life. The manager said she would get back to me by the end of the week. She said HR will notify those that didnt get hired. I was professional,had questions, knew about the organization, smiled, was very enthusiastic because I am excited. My questions is what takes so long in getting back to the applicants? Dont they know who they want to hire once interviews are over? IF so then why dont managers call you back right away? Does anyone have any advice because Im so worried. I know its only been three days but I just wish I knew. Please help me!!!! Anyone

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

It can take a couple of weeks sometimes, particularly if you were interviewed by more than one person and the interviewers need to find time to sit down and talk about it. (Even if it's just the Nurse Manager and the HR person, it can easily take several days for them to hook up.)

They also might want to check your references before offering you a job, or maybe a background check. And if you are not their first choice, but they would hire you if their first choice turned down the offer ... they might leave you hanging while their first choice considers their offer.

Did you ask them, "When can I expect to hear back from you?" That's usually a good question to ask in an interview. It can ease you mind a bit while you wait if you know you are not going to hear back from them for a week or two ... or three.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in GENERAL.

She said she would get back to me by the end of the week. @llg

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Well, there is you answer :) A week is 7 days, not 3....although it feels like forever. Where I work, we interview until the job posting expires, usually a month, so if you are among the first it can be a forever wait. Be patient. And even if we like you a lot, someone with better experience may come along on that last day, so we will hire that person over you. It is giving everyone who applied and interviewed a fair chance, that is why the job isn't offered that day. Also, we have to check references and background checks.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

Thank you both!

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Specializes in GENERAL.
Well, there is you answer :) A week is 7 days, not 3....although it feels like forever. Where I work, we interview until the job posting expires, usually a month, so if you are among the first it can be a forever wait. Be patient. And even if we like you a lot, someone with better experience may come along on that last day, so we will hire that person over you. It is giving everyone who applied and interviewed a fair chance, that is why the job isn't offered that day. Also, we have to check references and background checks.

Are you a nursing manager? I get that it takes time for administrative purposes, its hard on the applicant side. Im still in the race so I hope I get it.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

I was in management and now I am part of our hiring and retention group for my unit :)

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Hi Em, sorry it's taking so long for you to hear back. Have you gotten a response yet?

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Specializes in GENERAL.

Yes I didn't get the job:( Back to taking certification classes. I'm also going to apply for other RN jobs and non RN positions in specific units.

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Specializes in Wilderness Medicine, ICU, Adult Ed..

You are going to hear "no" more times than "yes" in your job search. That is no reflection on you; it is just the way it is. Take those classes and keep applying. You clearly have your head in the right place!

By the way, the fact that an answer from the interviewers was delayed can be a good thing. When I was involved in hiring, the first thing that we did was eliminate the "no way!" candidates, continuing to consider those that we thought might be a good choice until our final discussion. The "winner" in the job competition is usually the one who perseveres.

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I'm sorry you didn't get the job! I did want to comment though because I've always heard its illegal for an interviewer to ask you about your personal life. Maybe that varies by state?

I'm in my first nursing job. I interviewed for the job on a Tuesday at the beginning of July and was told they would make a decision by the end of the week. I didn't hear back from them with news that I was hired until September! I had pretty much given up on the job.

So, you really can't go by when the interviewer says you'll hear.

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Yeah, the part about personal questions bothered me too. Can you elaborate on that?

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