My cohort recently interviewed and received our placements for IP. I was one of the only students who did not receive their 1st choice, the ED. Instead I received my 4th choice, the CV ICU. While being placed in the CV ICU is flattering and a huge compliment, I've wanted to work in the ED for 8 years and have made this very clear to faculty since the beginning of my program.
I'm a straight A student, take a Gerontologic Nursing Honors class, successfully took on more patients (and more complex) than almost all of my classmates during Acute clinicals, participate in multiple extra circular activities, have 6 years of healthcare experience (including ED rotation), and have been told by multiple instructors that I would be a great fit for the ED. My interview for the ED wasn't my best, but I feel that it was adequate. I talked about teamwork, questioning physician orders, and how my personal practice affects the unit and the organization as a whole. Essentially, I've done everything possible to show that I'm a worthy candidate for the ED, yet only 4 of the 6 spots were filled! I'm having a difficult time understanding why, as one of the top students in my class, I was not given my first choice!?
One of my classmates who was placed in the ED dressed unprofessional for her interview, is a C student, has no healthcare experience, had difficulty connecting the dots in clinical and had no desire to work in the ED until she realized her friend was being placed there. I'm pretty sure she has no idea what she's getting herself into and just wants to hang out with her friend in the ED for the "adrenaline rush."
The whole situation feels like a slap in the face and I'm wondering what your perspective is, or what you would do??
