What have nursing interviews become

[Hippy chick]

I've been in my field for 21 years and done almost everything there is to do. Even taught novice nurses. Recently, I decided that I needed a change. A midlife crisis, I guess. So, I decided to put in for a transfer to another department. To say that this was a mistake was well.... an exaggeration of the HORROR of the process. So, for your reading enjoyment, I give you the play by play of the 3 day disaster.

Day One- Meet the director.

So, the night before I am supposed to go. I have a feeling of impending doom. My gut, literally, cramped. I was laying in the floor unable to move. The next morning, still feeling like this is a disaster waiting to happen, I put on my best face, and best clothes and "GO MEET THE BOSS". Remembering the best interview practices, I arrive 10 minutes early, off site of my job in a strip mall. It is at this point that the humor of this whole process began. I am sitting waiting for the interviewer to arrive when I notice a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the secretary's desk. This mind you is the secretary in the front lobby of the building. This should have been a clue to someone who looks for those things. But not me! I decide, Heck with it, I'M GOING IN! Well, Hold up just a minute. I wasn't going in, because, the boss is nowhere to be found. Not answering the phone. Not answering text. Just not answering. If you are an individual that detects clues, this one would have been it. But, not so much. I live a , by the seat of your pants existence, so again, I just rolled with it. Finally, the boss arrives 45 minutes late. She rolled in quickly to the parking lot at a speed that looked as if she was going to run through the building. Then quickly ran into the building, cell phone in hand. Apologizing for her previous meeting had started late, and thus finished late. I assumed that tardiness was acceptable in this department. Hey, I'm cool with tardiness and I could see myself coming in to work late. So, I'm still good! Then we get down to the interview. What I applied for, what was posted, was NOT exactly the job that they were looking at hiring me for. But, you know I can learn anything. So Heck yeah! I keep going for it. Then I get to the part about 2 more interviews. Why not, I think despite all the clues that this was NOT the job for me.

Day 2- Meet the managers

5 days later I must meet with the managers that I will be working with. I am truly anxious about this! Still I have a little voice in my head saying "DANGER

Day 3- Meet the team.

Day 3. Unlike the previous 2, this one started ON TIME. I should have known this was about to be a shark attack. I am escorted to a very long, very narrow room. with a long table down the middle. I was dark and gloomy. I felt like detectives Benson and Stabler were about to come in and begin questioning me. I could have only been so lucky. I began to know what someone having a heart attack is feeling! IMPENDING DOOM! This was not going to go well. My mind was saying get up and run. Feign illness. Vomit. Do something. GET OUT of this situation. But like any good horror story, I stayed. Much like the someone going into the water during the Jaws movie. (You know when you are thinking DON"T GO INTO THE WATER can't you hear the music) Yet, I stayed as I watched the sharks come strolling with smiles on their faces as if I were fresh meat on a platter for them. What ensued was a blood bath. A barrage of questions unrelated to any portion of the job description that had no answer. Yet, they were looking for the answer. ie, What impact does the current price of tea in China have on healthcare in the United States? I answered with as much grace as I could possibly muster. How fast can a hybrid car in the United States driving 70 miles an hour, get to Hati? All ot the blood was leaving my extremeties and as my fight of flight mechanisms kicked in I began shaking. It quickly went from a comfortable 75 degrees in the room to the Antarctica. The room began to spin. I felt no need to feign illness, I was about the VOMIT for real. THe sharks are smiling and speaking in their most gentil voices. They were circling as the smell of fresh blood began to pour into their noses. Finally, the question of how many licks does it take to get to the center of the Hippy CHick pop was just like the commercial from the 1970's; THE WORLD MAY NEVER KNOW. As the big bite came in. Well, let's revisit the Hati question, I don't feel like you answered it completely.

I leave and call my current boss telling her that I wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. This was a disaster.

DAY 4- The call

The cell phone rings at 8:30 AM. The voice on the like, "After careful review, We don't feel like you will be a good fit for our department." I wanted to scream some rant of profanity telling them that would emphasize my non-fitness for their position. Yet, I don't. I thank them for their time.

Nursing, rather society has become like that in so many areas. We have overweight, depressed individuals, with a host of medical problems, family problems, and the list goes on and on. Yet, rather than just be nice to each other, we have to go into attack mode. The mentality of if I make you look stupid, I will feel better about myself. I for one am taking a stand, no more sarcastic remarks to co-workers, no more talking about someone at the nurses station. I AM TAKING A STAND! If you engage in this behavior. I am calling you out

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

After 21 years in the same position, the hiring process will feel foreign/ strange.

Remember, all of those involved in the hiring process, have bosses that they must answer to if you are hired and don't succeed.

I agree it's daunting. I was in the very same place you are when I started a new job search.

I learned to play the game. I work from home for 6 figures.

Best of luck , let us know how it's going.

[Jules A, MSN]

I had one as a new NP where the medical director who interviewed me was a total asshat, sarcastic and condescending. It was disorienting and before it was over I knew there was no way I'd work for that nasty person. When I got home I figured I'd get the jump on him and emailed his administrative director who set up the interview to thank him kindly for the opportunity to interview but that I felt the position would not be a good fit for me. The politest way I could muster the message "suck it". It was liberating.

Hang in there and if you really want to move on take some time to recover and then jump back on the bicycle. Good luck, not all of them will be like that.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Interviewing is a skill, and since it can feel much like a "performance" it can provoke the same anxiety as public speaking.

Do some reading on brushing up interview skills - lots of good material available on career-oriented websites such as monster.com and LinkedIn. Then, practice! Roleplay with a willing family member or friend if possible. Seek out professional contacts/associates who do interviewing - don't be afraid to ask for tips.

Realize that many interviewers believe they are not skilled at interviewing (and they often aren't), and they may find it just as stressful as you do.

Chalk that one experience up as interview gone wrong ... and remember that a job search is essentially a numbers game. Nothing personal - just plow ahead.

Good luck in your job search!

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

My interview, less than 3 years ago, was a show experience on the unit I was applying for and then a 30 minute interview with NM. Very relaxed and simple. My HR recruiter had a family emergency, so I had to call to find out a decision. Turns out I got the job! Easiest and best interview I ever had (and I had plenty trying to get a job as a teacher before I was a nurse)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

My worst interview occurred back in 2009.

The three assistant nurse managers were asking questions like, "You're older, so why did you become a nurse?" (By the way, I was 28 years old back then, and had about three years of nursing experience). I was also asked, "Where are you from?"

Per equal opportunity employment regulations, interview questions should not focus on the candidate's age or ethnicity. Both questions were illegal interview questions, but in a very roundabout way.

I was offered the job, but was pleased I had been in a position to decline. After all, I was slightly offended at the questions they were asking.

[Jules A, MSN]

My worst interview occurred back in 2009.

The three assistant nurse managers were asking questions like, "You're older, so why did you become a nurse?" (By the way, I was 28 years old back then, and had about three years of nursing experience). I was also asked, "Where are you from?"

Per equal opportunity employment regulations, interview questions should not focus on the candidate's age or ethnicity. Both questions were illegal interview questions, but in a very roundabout way.

I was offered the job, but was pleased I had been in a position to decline. After all, I was slightly offended at the questions they were asking.

I'm thankful that its been years since I felt I had to take a job because if the interview with management and staff is uncomfortable or even hostile who the heck wants to stick around and spend time with those people on a daily basis???

[NurseIndependa]

My worst interview occurred back in 2009.

The three assistant nurse managers were asking questions like, "You're older, so why did you become a nurse?" (By the way, I was 28 years old back then, and had about three years of nursing experience). I was also asked, "Where are you from?"

Per equal opportunity employment regulations, interview questions should not focus on the candidate's age or ethnicity. Both questions were illegal interview questions, but in a very roundabout way.

I was offered the job, but was pleased I had been in a position to decline. After all, I was slightly offended at the questions they were asking.

I had an opposite experience. I interviewed at a hospice center for an extern position while in nursing school. The manager and current extern did a panel interview with me. The current extern was 65 and decided to go back to school at age 60. All their questions or statements started along the lines of "You're so young and this is hospice..." I was tempted to remind them that most people do not start nursing school at 65.

Needless to say, they made me uncomfortable and I turned down the job, which is a shame because I was very excited about hospice. I was pleasantly surprised that they offered the job to my baby self!

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

That sounds absolutely horrendous-thank goodness it is over!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I had an opposite experience. I interviewed at a hospice center for an extern position while in nursing school. The manager and current extern did a panel interview with me. The current extern was 65 and decided to go back to school at age 60. All their questions or statements started along the lines of "You're so young and this is hospice..." I was tempted to remind them that most people do not start nursing school at 65.

Needless to say, they made me uncomfortable and I turned down the job, which is a shame because I was very excited about hospice. I was pleasantly surprised that they offered the job to my baby self!

The topic of the applicant's age should not be brought up during an employment interview. Any questions or comments that mention the applicant's age, religion, national origin, racial/ethnic background, or other federally protected topics are both unprofessional and downright illegal.

[AlphaM]

So let me get this straight OP, you did not get the job, this whole post was entertaining but at the end of the day is just sour apples. I'd love to hear the other side and see what exactly happened...