Will this ruin my chances?

[loving2]

I applied online for a job at a local hospital. After a month, I decided to show up to HR with my resume. The recruiter was so nice and chatted with me briefly. She said she would "help me out" and pushed my application through the system to the department director (on Telemetry). I saw her clicking around the computer. Then she said she would call me within the next 2 days, I guess to set up a formal interview with herself, and the director of the unit. Today is the 2nd day and I waited most of the day and finally called. She was in an interview, but she said she hasn't heard from the director of the floor yet. She is off work tomorrow. Then the weekend will be here and of course, she's off. So I have to wait until Monday I guess. OR.....someone that works there suggested I call the VP of HR tomorrow??? I'm a little uncomfortable with that. I don't want to step on the recruiter's toes, yet I don't want to miss an opportunity either. Plus, my time is limited bc I'm a school nurse and we are about to return to school. I need to give my current employer ample time to find my replacement. The recruiter really clicked with me and I feel like she will help me, but I need to get the ball moving. What should I do? Should I email the director of tele? Call the VP of HR?

[loving2]

Oh, this is weird. I guess the recruiter really is trying. I just checked the status of my application online and noticed that I have an application with today's date put into the system for a different department (Med/Surg/Peds). It was highlighted in yellow, indicating there has been a status change. I guess the recruiter is trying to place me on a different floor. I never applied online today so it had to have been the recruiter. I'm sure she has the capability of making re-submitting applications and such???

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Let her do her thing for a week, then call and follow up. If she let's you know the application is making progress in the system try to find out the manager's names so you can write a personal intro letter to them.

I wouldn't go over her head. I might go around her by contacting the manager myself, but only after HR has had a fair chance.

[cameron46]

I agree mainly with Canoehead- do NOT contact VP of HR; that may be inferred that you are not following directions/ are inpatient/ too aggressive.

Follow-up with the Telemetry manager would be adviseable after you give HR 1 week; its only been 2 days from your original post.

You can not control everything in life - including the timing of important events.

If it is meant to be it will happen. Despite the 'return of the school year' -if the position is meant to be yours it will happen- your employer can easily find another replacement. Diplomatic discussion with your current boss and potential new employer will enable you to transition to your new role. THis is a career- your'e not 'flipping burgers' so an issue with scheduling should not be a prime focus.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

I agree with the above. Don't go over the recruiters head. An email or note, maybe even a brief phone call to unit managers may help get their attention. Then there's no more you can do. Your post sounds very anxious. You need to lose that right off. Casual friendly communications will be more appealing to prospective managers. Since you already have a job, relax. Good luck.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

let it play out as it will. If you REALLY wanted to give your current employer time to find a replacement you would have applied months ago. There is always someone to fill your shoes, so just roll with it.

[caliotter3]

I also agree that you should not go over her head. I am surprised that it appears she is helping you. You don't want to spoil a good thing.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Crap!!! I've got something similar going.

I did call this recruiter again, and found out she is out of the office for a week. I did not leave a message. Well, at least I know that much.

[loving2]

let it play out as it will. If you REALLY wanted to give your current employer time to find a replacement you would have applied months ago. There is always someone to fill your shoes, so just roll with it.

I did. I started applying 3 months ago, with the hope that I would find something over the summer while school was out on summer break. Two of the three local hospitals turned me down bc I don't have hosp. experience...only public health/school nursing exp. This is my last hope. I'm only trying to be courteous to my current employer, as I know it is hard to fill school nurse positions where I live (the pay is terrible). We can't even find substitute nurses, so I KNOW it will be hard to find a permanent nurse. I just don't want to burn any bridges in case I decide to return to school nursing when my children are old enough to enter the school system.

I am going to give it a week and call the recuriter to follow up. Thanks for all your feedback.

[loving2]

I agree with the above. Don't go over the recruiters head. An email or note, maybe even a brief phone call to unit managers may help get their attention. Then there's no more you can do. Your post sounds very anxious. You need to lose that right off. Casual friendly communications will be more appealing to prospective managers. Since you already have a job, relax. Good luck.

You are right. I am anxious. My hubby was laid off and I am now the breadwinner. I NEED to make more money or else we are in deep trouble. It seems that every place I apply wants hospital exp. and I don't have that and nobody will give me the opportunity to get it. I went directly from nursing school to public health five years ago. I've applied at 3 local hospitals. One said I missed the NG orientation deadline, although my application was in the system for 2 months and I made numerous phone calls which weren't returned. The other hospital *just* finished hiring NGs and couldn't take on another *inexperienced" nurse. So here I am with the 3rd hospital that shows a glimmer of hope. I don't want the opportunity to fall through the cracks.