What happened here..

[Phoenix2541]

I got a job offer, in a hospital no less. I haven't been in that environment in 1.5 yrs. The offer came after 1 interview with NM and I pretty much knew I sealed the deal. She called 2 days later and offered the job and said HR would call to discuss particulars and my salary. HR calls the next day and proceeds to interview me. "why did you leave here, what would you do, how do you handle, you do know you have to work some weekends"..

This went on for a good little while, and I then got a sinking feeling and asked" is there some concern about my nursing background? No real answer, kind of evasive. At end of interview, I asked if the employment offer was still on table, she mumbled something hurriedly and got off the phone. I called NM to ask had something changed she said no. Ok, the next day the HR lady calls me at 5p to tell me that "we um.. are not going to um offer the job, um.. (you can try back in a couple of years when you have stable work history). Pfft!! she said, we like to ensure people we train stay on job.. I have worked in hosp for 9 mos, worked in LTC for 1 year and worked as PCT for 6 mos before that. I am trying to get back in hospital and don't want to go back to ANY of the environments that I was in, my choice professionally and personally.

what I don't get, is how the HR rep makes that call and I was hired by NM?

[llg, PhD, RN]

The NM probably doesn't have the authority to actually "seal the deal" on job offers. She probably over-stepped her bounds when she offered you the job. In many places, HR has to check your background, verify your references, etc. before the official job offer can be made -- and while the NM liked you, she was wrong when she assumed you would pass the HR screening. HR saw that you have had a few short-term jobs recently and they want you to demonstrate employment stability before they will invest in you.

That's probably what happened.

[Libby1987]

Did the position have any acute care experience minimum?

[Phoenix2541]

No, just regular old Med Surge.. The NM saw my experience.. and did not question, "what happened here". This is a smaller hospital with a patient population with lower acuity. Aren't there contracts to protect hospitals from losing out on their investments?

I am still a fairly new nurse and have only that 1 hosp as my hosp experience. LTC seemed like a place to "park" so to speak. I am no spring chicken, but I am a newish nurse, I want to get some more skills.

[Emergent, RN]

This is a good example of why it's good to avoid job-hopping. Three jobs in a row with short terms of employment is a red flag for employers who want someone to stick around. It sounds like HR was straight forward with you.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Yet another reminder that until you are holding an official offer from HR, you do not have the job. It doesn't matter what the NM tells you or that they didn't comment on your past employment--in fact, NM have less to do with the actual screening and hiring process than you think.

I'm not passing judgment on your previous employment and why you left jobs so soon. But given your job track record, HR has some valid concerns. They see you with a string of jobs in a short period and so they want to verify that a. you're not going to be a flight risk, and b. you fully understand what you are getting into.

Best of luck!

[Phoenix2541]

Yes.. it is curious, how management can get rid of you, because , well.. they don't have to say because really. Right to work state. I thought contracts protected their interests in the event of "flight" risk?

I got canned once, left the other 1, and the 1st one was a CNA work that I did in the hospital and agency. The hospital CNA didn't want to take me on as a nurse.. "no preceptors avail". I was a good worker, so that wasn't the issue. It was demoralizing, but I kept moving.

Thanks for the responses.