What am I doing wrong?

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I am very frustrated, but I will try not make this a vent and just a plea for advice. I have been away from the bedside for about 2 years except for agency a few times. I applied to countless hospital positions and finally after constantly being rejected, started calling the units that I have experience in(I have 8 months experience-acute, 1 year SNF). I called one unit and talked to the nurse manager. She said she didn't have any openings, but I asked if I could send her my resume. I sent her my resume, not really expecting much. Well, a month later, she emailed me saying she has a position coming open and wanted to let me know and she would be in contact. I thanked her for the email and waited. I was thrilled.

The position posted, I applied and emailed to let her know I applied...and she hasn't responded. I am so confused and frustrated. What did I do wrong? This is the second time that I have called to speak to a nurse manager (different hospital) and have been told I sound great, and then I still don't get the call/email to interview.

Another frustrating note, I only worked agency a few times at a skilled nursing facility and the patient load was awful so I haven't gone back and I didn't put it on my resume or application.

I've been depressed, cried, been depressed some more...repeat.

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Specializes in Pedi.

Well, when was this? Perhaps she just hasn't responded YET. She contacted you to let you know there was an opening, she wouldn't have done that if she had no interest in you.

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Thanks, Kel, for your reply. You may be right. It hasn't been long enough yet to know...and I'm trying to put the negative thoughts aside.

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Please try not to get discouraged. The wheels move very slowly. It took me being persistent with the nurse recruiters in human resources for over a year and two interviews at my local hospital before being hired. The hiring process started the end of February and I will just now be attending orientation at the end of this month. As the director that hired me stated, "HR doesn't have the speed of nurses. "

More often than not, this director has to wait for HR to send her the applicants. I agree with the previous poster that she must have some intrest in you since she contacted you to let you know there was now a position to apply for.

My advice is to follow up again with the director and let her know that you are eager to meet with her and inquire if she has received your application. I would follow up with HR as well. This could be done with a phone call or e-mail. Jobs are not as easy to come by for nurses as the past, especially without two years of experience specific to the position you are applying for. Stay positive and be persistent and it will come through!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I have been on both sides. As someone looking for a job I felt that is was rude not to followup with applicants. As a manager, I find it difficult to make the time to shuffle all the hiring duties while maintaining status quo on the floor. SO! My recommendation is to contact that person again, and tell her you really want to work there and wonder what is the status. The process usually involves many people and none of them are in a hurry but you. Secondly, consider other agencies or even home health or learning to be a dialysis nurse. There are other options and I hope you find one that fits!

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classicdame, you do think I should contact her again then? I have emailed her twice since her initial email and have not heard anything still.

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There could be lots of reasons--that another nurse from another unit wanted to transfer, that the powers that be have decided to not fill the position as a cost effective thing, or that they have to interview a bunch of applicants first--many things.

I wouldn't email again right away. Obviously, the NM knows that you are wanting the position. The wheels do move slowly sometimes. I would most definetely say that if you do not hear within the next couple of weeks, I would email again and just ask what the status of the job is at this point.

If you continue not to hear anything, I would take it as the facility chose to hire internally, or eliminate the position--which happens a LOT.

Have you tried home health agencies? That could be your next step if this doesn't work out.

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