Washington Hospital Center RN residency - need letter of rec at interview?

0402 · Sep 8, 2010

I interviewed last month, and I had letters with me. The email they sent me said, "Please bring your CPR card, 2 letters of recommendation and your transcripts with you (if you are able to obtain these documents in time)." I couldn't get official transcripts in time, so I just printed off my unofficial ones from the internet. I did hear them asking everyone in line, but they do seem to understand that they are giving somewhat short notice for the interviews (I was also told on a Tuesday that I had one that Friday).

goalienurse1 · Sep 8, 2010

0402- Did you bring a copy of your CPR card or the real card ? I guess what I am asking is do they give it back haha. Sorry, very new to interviewing. Any tips on the interview? I have an interview with WHC scheduled for the 24th, kinda nervous!! Thanks for the help!

goalienurse1 · Sep 8, 2010

Also Natchan23, if it helps (because I know last minute flights can be very pricey, and the airports right in DC are pretty busy/crazy) it might be cheaper/easier to fly into Baltimore Washington International airport as opposed to Washington Dulles or Ronald Reagan. The one in Baltimore is about fifteen twenty minutes outside DC. I'm from Boston, my brother lives in DC. My family always flies into Baltimore when we go- its always been alot cheaper and less hectic. Good luck!!

natchan23 · Sep 8, 2010

Thank you 0402 for the info! I'm glad to hear they are understanding. I wonder why my confirmation email didn't say that? I didn't even get a call but my email said that it was a pleasure to chat with me that day... Since it was impersonal I was wondering if perhaps they weren't understanding! I will definitely call HR in the morning but plan on flying out Thursday with this news in mind.

And thank you goalienurse1 for the tips. Luckily I have some miles saved up to fly over last minute. It sounds like a complicated area! The most I have seen of the east coast has been in NYC. Luckily the east coast has subways :)

0402 · Sep 8, 2010

I brought my actual card- they had a copy machine there, so they just copied it and handed it right back. Even though they didn't specifically ask for it, if you have ACLS, PALS, etc, bring that card, too.

The interview wasn't too bad, but I'm sure it depends on who is actually asking the questions. For the first part, you are asked the "normal" questions by one of the nurse recruiters from HR (why did you become a nurse? Strengths, weaknesses? etc). Then a manager comes to do the second part. There are more questions about you/ your background/ your plans for the future, as well as scenario based questions. Apparently the managers that do the interviewing are just helping out and you aren't necessarily interviewing for their floor (for some reason I thought someone told me that you interview with the manager of the floor you want to work on, but we weren't even given a choice). They said that pretty much all openings are on med/surg floors (of which they have quite a few) but that they aren't hiring for specific positions right now- it's just a general med/ surg hire and then they will get more specific after they know everyone they are hiring.

Does anyone know how many people they are hiring for the October program? I meant to ask and forgot.

natchan23 · Sep 8, 2010

I tried calling the nurse recruiters but it went straight to voicemail... I hear that this hospital isn't very good at returning calls so I didn't leave a message but will keep calling. I'm just wondering if it's worth it to fly across the country for this. I wonder how many positions are open too. If I manage to get in touch with them I will ask and let you know!

0402 · Sep 10, 2010

Good luck on your interview tomorrow. I hope it goes really well for you. =)

goalienurse1 · Sep 10, 2010

Good luck Natchan23, knock em dead!! :)

natchan23 · Sep 11, 2010

Thanks! It went really well. Everyone was really nice and they said I can just send in letters whenever. There were about 12 other applicants there yesterday. The manager I spoke with said she'd tell them to definitely hire me. We had a great chat and she gave me a tour of the floor! Now I just need to see if it's true and wait for the call. She said the next step of the process is choosing what floor I'd get hired on. The manager also told me that the last wave of new grads had 109 hired! This must be a huge program. If they do offer, I gotta figure out if I'm willing to move out here to DC! It's been pretty fun so far. I've just lived my whole life in Washington so this would be an adventure. One step at a time...

goalienurse1 · Sep 11, 2010

Congrats!!! That is GREAT news! How was the interview as far as how it was set up? How were the clinical scenario questions? If you were to be moving out there, would you be doing so alone? If by some way I was to get the job, and then did accept the position, I would be moving out there soloooo. Granted my brother lives in DC, but I wouldnt be moving in with him. Well anyways, congrats on the successful interview thats very exciting!

0402 · Sep 12, 2010

That's great that it went so well! I had a manager tell me the same thing, and I think I got the call 5 days after I interviewed- which was much faster than I was expecting. I really thought he was just saying that to be nice, but I guess he really meant it!