What does this mean?

[lkoch002]

Just a preface: I'm a new grad, who just passed the nclex. This is a career change for me. I did 8.5 years in the military as a nuke electronic technician.

I just had my first interview this past Mon, and it was to the ER. I feel that it went ok, but I really can't tell. I kind of clammed, when asked about my reason for wanting to work there, giving a very short and succinct response. I did all right with giving a brief history about myself, and I blew the scenario questions out of the water. I asked questions about their orientation and remarked on the things I knew about their department and facility. The manager gave me a tour and gave me her card, telling me the recruiting manager will be in touch with me. It seemed to end on a positive note. She kept apologizing for being late. I really didn't know what to say to that. I let her know I wasn't bothered by it. "Things come up, and it happens".

She said she had more interviews to do and I'd hear from HR this next week. I really want this job, so the wait is a but nerve wracking. I honestly don't know what to expect. (If I'd gotten the job, I'd know in the spot???) What do you guys think?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

It's rare for a facility to offer a job on the spot. Most hospitals require job offers to come from HR/recruiter and not directly from management. So pretty typical. Did she give you a decision date? (You could always follow up with the recruiter as to when a decision is expected) did you send a thank you?

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I've had 3 nursing jobs, I never found out "in the spot." At my current facility, the interview with the NM occurs, then he/she tells HR who he/she wants and HR makes the actual offer. I would think the "typical" time frame varies from facility to facility.

When you said you "blew the scenario questions out of the water," do you mean you did really well on them? If so, it helps your cause, and the tour is a good sign, but it doesn't guarantee anything.

[caliotter3]

In contrast, most of the time I am hired on the spot for home health jobs, just the nature of the beast. That is why I go into a home health agency office totally prepared to interview and fill out employment paperwork.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

In hospitals I've had to wait for a recruiter to make the offer. In home health or private duty I've been hired on the spot.

[lkoch002]

I didn't even think to send a thank you card! Thanks for that tip, JustBeachyNurse! She did not give a decision date.

I did really well on the scenario questions, psu_213.

About how long should I give, before I call the recruiter or expect to hear back?

[PCnurse88]

Do you know if the position was needed to be filled immediately, or if it was for someone who is planning on leaving/retiring? I interviewed for my job in mid-January and found out towards the end of February, and the girl who was hired with me interviewed in November before she even graduated and found out in February as well (but she worked at the hospital as a tech beforehand, so hers was an internal hire while I was external). I had pretty much given up on that hospital and had continued to apply elsewhere, turns out I was taking the place of an RN who was retiring in JULY and they wanted me to be off orientation before she left.

[lkoch002]

I'm not sure what the exact circumstances are. I do know I applied at the first of September and my application was denied, saying the position had been filled. Then, I got a call the day after I passed the nclex for an interview. I thought that was odd, so I checked their website and another application had been submitted on the 29th of September. I hadn't submitted another, so I don't know how that happened. It seems that they might had selected a new grad that failed the nclex, so they immediately opened the position back up, or they had somebody quit. It was rather odd, but I'm very happy that I got the opportunity to at least have an interview!