Will I be considered for a different unit if I am turned down after an interview?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, I recently interviewed with the nurse recruiter of a hospital that I would really love to work at, and she scheduled me for a second interview with the nurse manager of the neuroscience unit. I would love it if I were offered a position there, but I am a new grad who is pretty much open to working in (almost) any unit. If turned down for the spot in the neuroscience unit, will I be considered to interview for a different unit within the hospital? And if so, what is the best way to request to interview for a different unit?

Thanks so much in advance for your responses!

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No usually, you will not be considered for another unit just off of having interviewed with one. Each nurse manager interviews for her/his own unit. However if that NM is friends with another, she may make a call and rec you. I think you are smart in carefully asking, heck why not. But, do this via phone after all is said and done.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery, MS.

I was turned down for a position but kept applying for others. I am now working at that hospital on a different unit which I love. Keep trying it just means that someone may have been a better fit for that position. Good luck!:)

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Thank you for your reply!

Did you get turned down after getting to the second interview? I am wondering if I will have to go through the whole application process again and wait to hear back from HR if I've already have a good interview with the nurse recruiter. Can I just directly contact the nurse recruiter and ask her to set me up for another interview with the nurse manager a different unit? Thanks!! :)

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Sure, keep the line open. Seems everybody is different these days. If you don't get this one, chat up the HR person that you know. Sometimes there is more than one recruiter, so you might have to do the "Dog and Pony" show again! You most definitely will have to re-interview with a new NM like you have never interviewed prior. It would be a mistake to get casual during an interview with another unit.

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I got rejected after a second interview. When I reapplied to other areas, the nurse recruiter automatically forwarded my app. I did not have to start from scratch with the recruiter. Truthfully, why? I passed the recruiter's initial screening. If she reinterviewed me, I would know the questions and can guarantee you I would do even better the second go!!!

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Specializes in L&D.

Generally if you "pass" the HR interview, you are considered eligible to work at that facility or organization. If you are turned down for a position by a nurse manager after the second interview, it just means you weren't a good fit for that unit - you should still be eligible to apply for other units and positions within the same organization.

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Must depend on the hospital. I interviewed with HR, they liked me enough to recomend me to several units. I interviewed at one; got turned down. Was offered an interview on another unit in the same phone call. I was offered the second position. The mgr on the first interview and I would not have been a good fit, and I think she saw it. In the second interview, I was exactly what she liked in a new hire.

Don't count yourself out!

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Specializes in cardiac.

same thing happened to me... i interviewed with hr and a nurse manager. i got a call back in a week that the nm hasn't made any decisions yet and hr listed off a few other units with openings. i got to pick which one i wanted and a week later i had an interview on a different unit. the next day i had an offer from both units i had interviewed.

i would say if hr doesn't offer you this option it wouldn't hurt to ask if there are any other units seeking new nurses. the worst that could happen is they would say no.

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