I needed advice on something. (Sorry, this is long!)
Prior to going on leave from my job, I expressed interest to my DON in a particular field of nursing. It came up several more times in meetings and during conversation, with the DON being the one to mention it (which lets me know that he was clear on the fact that this was something I would be interested in pursuing). At the time however, there were no more positions open as they had just offered the only open one to one of my co-workers. This particular co-worker had no interest in the position initially and was only interested in a change of schedule when the DON offered it to her and began her training immediately. She has since taken it and is glad that she did.
I was made aware today, that another of these positions opened up (and I would love to be considered for it) so when my DON called me, I was sure that that was what it was for, however, he just wanted to offer me a regular staff nurse job on a different shift. Needless to say I was pretty disappointed. I was speaking to one of my co-workers and she was pushing me to just go speak with the DON and express my interest in the position, and request to apply for it, but I feel a little embarrassed.
I know that the things we want don't just fall in our laps and that if you want something you should go after it, but I really feel as though if they liked me for it, they would have made some type of mention about the job, the same as they did with my co-worker (who had made no mention of the job). I have worked my tail off at this job, giving them blood, sweat and tears and they KNOW i am a reliable employee. I also feel that they KNOW I am interested in this job for multiple reasons and the DON has even made comments like "hey sweetbabylpn, maybe when you get back we'll have something open for you in ____" without me having said anything to incite the comments. I'm even registered (on the company's dime) for the seminar that would certify me for this position but have yet to take it (and he KNOWS this, because I need the company's approval).
I guess my question is, should I call him back and express my interest in this specific job? Part of me feels like it would hurt my pride to do so. Like if they wanted me, they would have asked, so the fact that they haven't means they're not interested. But on the same note, everyone keeps saying that if I want it, I have to make that clear, not just assume they know and wait for them to offer. But isn't it fair to assume they know? Even though I didn't ask for that specific job (it wasn't available at the time), it's a general understanding among us all that I am interested in going into that particular field of nursing. I guess i'm just afraid of rejection as I associate it with embarrassment and so I try to avoid that feeling. What should I do? I should add that I was considering leaving this facility and if I don't stay in this capacity, it's likely that I will be seeking employment elsewhere.
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
Sweet-I have a few suggestions:
1. First, it is so much better to meet in person to talk about really important things like this. Is there any way that you can meet with him instead of calling? I know you are on LOA, but if it is at all feasible, can you do that? The powers of persuasion are more keen when you can look at the person whom you are trying to persuade.
2. Go somewhere quiet in your house without distractions. Have your resume handy so that you can refer to it. Write down some goals that you have accomplished this past year. What have you done specifically to make your workplace better? What are your strong points at work? Are you super organized? Do you have stellar assessment skills? Do you have any specific memories that you can write down to support your points? For example, I am VERY thorough when assessing my pts pre-op. I was looking through my pt's chart one morning prior to surgery, and noticed that she was a Jehovah's Witness. I looked back to the consent form and the box was checked that stated "I understand and am willing to accept blood products..." I asked her about this, and lo and behold, it was a mistake. Can you remember specific times like this or incidents where your interventions were helpful? Write down any leadership you are involved in. Write down committees you are involved in and what your role is. Include anything that you do outside of work that is related to nursing, like volunteering, being a member of a professional association, etc. If you have precepted, include that. Write down any educational offerings that you have taken advantage of, including the one that you are already signed up for. If you read nursing journals, include that under the educational heading of your self-assessment.
When you are done with this self assessment exercise, you will probably be surprised at all that you have accomplished. It always helps to write it down. You can keep the conversation casual at first, but let him know that you are excited about the opportunity of this new position and that you are committed to it. Give him the bullet points that you wrote down. This will make a strong case for you, and he will be impressed at the introspective time you spent reviewing and preparing for the conversation. It will let him know that you are serious.
Well, I called today, got no answer, called again, still no answer but left a message. Waited 2hrs, got no call back and called one more time: no answer. I only left one message though (didn't want to seem like a stalker!)
Canesdukegirl: Great advice! I could go in and speak to him in person but I don't want to go in while i'm supposed to be on LOA because EVERYONE will stop me (and him later on) to ask questions which I want to avoid because this man has a nasty habit of saying things to people who have no business knowing them. Not like he's gossipy, but just clueless. He'll make announcements during nurse's meetings that aren't his to make, divulge the details of a nurse's termination to "prove a point", he even told some staff I was pregnant early on in my pregnancy (I was NOT ready to tell) which resulted in the ENTIRE building knowing within hours. I'm afraid if I get turned down for the position, the whole building will know my rejection. Is this petty??
Of course thats still a possibility either way but he would have to go OUT OF HIS WAY to randomly bring up a private phone conversation we had.
OldNurseEducator: what you said is exactly what worries me.
Bjaeram: I'm normally fairly assertive and have no problem making my needs/feelings known (politely) but this particular DON makes me feel nervous when it comes to certain things. He is nice enough to me but sometimes gives me "looks". Not in a romantic way but like he's smiling in my face but insulting me in his head! Crazy right? Lol. Probably all in my head but others have said the same thing so I try not to take it personally, plus I've never really done anything for him to dislike me.
Linearthinker: You had it right. And true, I shouldn't expect it to be given to me. I guess I just felt that would happen since people who weren't even interested were offered the position and then told to fill out a transfer request that would be honored immediately, so I hoped I would be offered it to since they know i AM interested and even enrolled for the seminar at the company's expense. When that didn't happen, I figured, "hey, if they didn't offer it to me, the most obvious choice (in my delusional mind), then they must not want me." But you're rigt, if I want it I have to get it myself, which is what I'll try to do tomorrow. Wish me luck!
I spoke with the DON today, mentioned my interest in the position and requested the opportunity to explain why I thought I would be a good fit. He didn't give me that opportunity and basically said that I'm one of multiple people who have expressed my interest and that he would add me to the list so that when interviews start, I would be called.
TBH the tone of the conversation, while not negative, didn't leave me very optimistic that I will end up with the job. I'm at a point in my very short nursing career where all i'm about is trying to grow professionally and pad my resume with the experience and skills that will lead me to my ultimate career goals but aside from this one position, I don't see any other opportunities to do this at my current job. For that reason, if I do get called in for the interview and ultimately get the job, i'll be ecstatic but in the meantime, i WILL be looking for a job effective as soon as I hit submit on this post.
Thanks for all of the help and advice. You all have been wonderful!
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
Sweet, consider that he probably has his plate really freaking full right now. It is 3 days before Christmas, he is probably thinking of all the crap he needs to get wrapped up before the holidays both at work and at home, and was more than likely distracted. I would not read into the tone of the conversation.
You goal has been accomplished-for now. He knows that you are interested in the position. You have thrown your hat into the ring. No confusion there.
So when the dust settles from the holiday season, give him another call, or you could even email him touching on the points of your conversation with him today. It may seem pushy to you, but it would serve you well to keep your desires at the front of his mind. Showing genuine interest in the position by keeping in touch will send a subconscious thought in his mind, "Man, Sweet really wants this. I will keep her on my short list." It works.
Keep your thoughts positive. I have been sending good energy to you all day today!
sweet, consider that he probably has his plate really freaking full right now. it is 3 days before christmas, he is probably thinking of all the crap he needs to get wrapped up before the holidays both at work and at home, and was more than likely distracted. i would not read into the tone of the conversation.
you goal has been accomplished-for now. he knows that you are interested in the position. you have thrown your hat into the ring. no confusion there.
so when the dust settles from the holiday season, give him another call, or you could even email him touching on the points of your conversation with him today. it may seem pushy to you, yeah it does! lol! after calling a zillion times over the past 2 days, i was starting to feel like i was being avoided and when i finally reached him on the zillionth and one phone call, he answered like "hi sweetbabylpn" which pretty much gave me confirmation that he knew i had been calling him nonstop! lol! but it would serve you well to keep your desires at the front of his mind. showing genuine interest in the position by keeping in touch will send a subconscious thought in his mind, "man, sweet really wants this. i will keep her on my short list." it works.
keep your thoughts positive. i have been sending good energy to you all day today!
i smiled for the first time today reading that. thank you! :)
Is the position open to RN's? I'm assuming you're a LPN. I just wonder with him telling you a lot of people have expressed interest (and you feeling they aren't considering you) if those "lot of people" are "better qualified" in their eyes?
OR are the others (considering they are also LPN's) people who have seniority? You may WANT the job, but if someone else who has been there much longer wants it - that's more understandable. In the example I gave of my situation of being promoted - people from within (and who had been there longer) were promoted. I had no issue with that. It was when people started coming in from the outside that my feathers got ruffled and I approached management as to the reason why.
Is the position open to RN's? I'm assuming you're a LPN. I just wonder with him telling you a lot of people have expressed interest (and you feeling they aren't considering you) if those "lot of people" are "better qualified" in their eyes?
OR are the others (considering they are also LPN's) people who have seniority? You may WANT the job, but if someone else who has been there much longer wants it - that's more understandable. In the example I gave of my situation of being promoted - people from within (and who had been there longer) were promoted. I had no issue with that. It was when people started coming in from the outside that my feathers got ruffled and I approached management as to the reason why.
There were both LPN and RN positions available but the last one left is an LPN spot. Technically an RN could take it too but my job is too cheap to pay an RN to do a job that an LPN can legally do so I know that's not an issue.
The only ones that went to RN's are the ones that legally, an RN HAS to fill (which is also a little unfair). As far as seniority, that may or may not be the case. It's a definite possibility, but before they even offered the position internally, they were attempting to hire external applicants, so. . . who knows.
There were both LPN and RN positions available but the last one left is an LPN spot. Technically an RN could take it too but my job is too cheap to pay an RN to do a job that an LPN can legally do so I know that's not an issue.
The only ones that went to RN's are the ones that legally, an RNHAS to fill (which is also a little unfair). As far as seniority, that may or may not be the case. It's a definite possibility, but before they even offered the position internally, they were attempting to hire external applicants, so. . . who knows.
Why do you feel this is unfair? Obviously, I've understood/agreed with the position you're in as I've been there in a sense. However, a RN goes to school longer (sacrificing time on the floor aka making money). I have a 4 year degree in another field, so by the time I have my RN/BSN I will have spent 6 years in college (all the while raising children/working) so how would it be unfair if I were put into a higher paying position?
Why do you feel this is unfair? Obviously, I've understood/agreed with the position you're in as I've been there in a sense. However, a RN goes to school longer (sacrificing time on the floor aka making money). I have a 4 year degree in another field, so by the time I have my RN/BSN I will have spent 6 years in college (all the while raising children/working) so how would it be unfair if I were put into a higher paying position?
You misunderstood my comment. I'm saying that it's unfair that qualified RN's will NOT be considered for the position simply on the basis that it would cost more to employ them. I was trying to explain that the RN's are limited to the positions that HAVE to be filled by an RN even though they qualify for most of the nursing positions posted. I agree that RN's have gone to school longer and thus have earned the right to qualify for certain positions above an LPN, and the fact that I know there are potentially RN's at my job who may also want this position but won't get it due to differences in pay rate is unfair to me. Almost like being punished for having a higher level of education.
In my state, there are only 2 skills that an RN can perform that an LPN cannot so unfortunately, this happens a lot.
You misunderstood my comment. I'm saying that it's unfair that qualified RN's will NOT be considered for the position simply on the basis that it would cost more to employ them. I was trying to explain that the RN's are limited to the positions that HAVE to be filled by an RN even though they qualify for most of the nursing positions posted. I agree that RN's have gone to school longer and thus have earned the right to qualify for certain positions above an LPN, and the fact that I know there are potentially RN's at my job who may also want this position but won't get it due to differences in pay rate is unfair to me. Almost like being punished for having a higher level of education.
In my state, there are only 2 skills that an RN can perform that an LPN cannot so unfortunately, this happens a lot.
okay, i see now - sorry. that's what happens when we can't hear tones/see expressions! :)
canesdukegirl, BSN, RN
1 Article; 2,543 Posts
Sweet-I have a few suggestions:
1. First, it is so much better to meet in person to talk about really important things like this. Is there any way that you can meet with him instead of calling? I know you are on LOA, but if it is at all feasible, can you do that? The powers of persuasion are more keen when you can look at the person whom you are trying to persuade.
2. Go somewhere quiet in your house without distractions. Have your resume handy so that you can refer to it. Write down some goals that you have accomplished this past year. What have you done specifically to make your workplace better? What are your strong points at work? Are you super organized? Do you have stellar assessment skills? Do you have any specific memories that you can write down to support your points? For example, I am VERY thorough when assessing my pts pre-op. I was looking through my pt's chart one morning prior to surgery, and noticed that she was a Jehovah's Witness. I looked back to the consent form and the box was checked that stated "I understand and am willing to accept blood products..." I asked her about this, and lo and behold, it was a mistake. Can you remember specific times like this or incidents where your interventions were helpful? Write down any leadership you are involved in. Write down committees you are involved in and what your role is. Include anything that you do outside of work that is related to nursing, like volunteering, being a member of a professional association, etc. If you have precepted, include that. Write down any educational offerings that you have taken advantage of, including the one that you are already signed up for. If you read nursing journals, include that under the educational heading of your self-assessment.
When you are done with this self assessment exercise, you will probably be surprised at all that you have accomplished. It always helps to write it down. You can keep the conversation casual at first, but let him know that you are excited about the opportunity of this new position and that you are committed to it. Give him the bullet points that you wrote down. This will make a strong case for you, and he will be impressed at the introspective time you spent reviewing and preparing for the conversation. It will let him know that you are serious.
Good luck! I am crossing my fingers for you!