Working the floor after a job interview!? WOW!...

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Specializes in Critical and Intensive Care.

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Not a nurse, but I think this section fits perfectly! I come from EMS and started at a trauma center on the COVID unit as a PCT in 2020. 

I progressed into a more advanced PCT role in a different ICU which gave me a lot of experience. 

I applied on Tyesday for a Medical and Surgical ICU position (Senior PCT) at a local well-known hospital. The job was posted on Monday and I did my interview yesterday. 

I came dressed in formal attire and the interview was very pleasant. It was honestly more conversational and casual than anything else. She even said I could skip some "What if questions" if I wanted to, but opted to not skip any. We shared a lot of interest, such as military service and working EMS.

She toured the unit with me which was ramping with COVID. I did my peer review with the on-shift advanced PCT who thought during the whole time, I was an RN. I laughed and was like "Oh no, definetly not a nurse!".

The hiring manager (clinician) said "Oh I wished you brought your scrubs with you so you can jump in and help by working the floor for a bit". I go "Oh I did, they're in  my satchel". She was like "You don't need to if you don't want to stay" and I go "It's perfectly fine!" 

Fast forward, I changed into scrubs and helped work the floor for 2-hours. I was introduced to all the staff and had some pleasant discussions with the RNs and attendings!

Then the hiring manager goes "Oh the CRNAs bought everyone lunch, go eat" and I'm like "I'm just interviewing" and she goes "No, you're gonna go eat!" Like I was stunned to be included in so much. 

At the very end they thanked me for coming and giving them a hand, and said "We'll be in contact with you in a few days". 

Does it seem promising to you? I told them I have an interview on Monday with their primary level 1 trauma center ICU and they really talked down on it - so maybe it'll light the fire under them to hire quickly due to staff shortages? 

I'm a PCT/CCT with my EMT, BLS, PALS, ACLS, and TCCC which they seemed to be heavily surprised at. 

Thank you all and stay safe! 

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Personally, I would not have admitted to having scrubs available. Just my $.02, but I’m thinking you’ve just opened the door for them to abuse your capabilities. I believe you’ve gotten the job, but I’d love to get a gander at your new work schedule. You gave them 2 hours of free labor. I fear you’ve raised their expectations of you. Let’s see how well they meet yours.

Good luck and keep us posted!

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Specializes in Critical and Intensive Care.
Just now, NotMyProblem MSN said:

Personally, I would not have admitted to having scrubs available. Just my $.02, but I’m thinking you’ve just opened the door for them to abuse your capabilities. I believe you’ve gotten the job, but I’d love to get a gander at your new work schedule. You gave them 2 hours of free labor. I fear you’ve raised their expectations of you. Let’s see how well they meet yours.

Good luck and keep us posted!

No joke, I literally just said that the minute I got home and my neighbor asked why I was in scrubs. 

She goes "I thought you was going for an interview". 

I was like "I don't know whether to be more pissed I worked for free for 2-hours when they openly admitted they were short staffed.. or be even more upset if I don't get the job and still worked for free" haha. 

But I agree. I miss my 3 x 12's a week compared to what I was just doing of 5 x 8s. 

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Might I recommend leaving the scrubs at home for the next and subsequent interviews? 

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Specializes in Critical and Intensive Care.
Just now, NotMyProblem MSN said:

Might I recommend leaving the scrubs at home for the next and subsequent interviews? 

Hahaha!

I was just doing what the email said LOL!

"Feel free to bring a pair of scrubs with you as well should you be asked to stay and shadow on the unit after your interview."

Keyword was SHADOW - anytime I shadowed, I wouldn't have to change in the staff locker room nor actually make pt contact haha. 

It was like "***. Do I say yes and look prepared or say no and look forgetful". 

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

They gotcha!? They figured your interpretation would be as it was. That entire paragraph, as it is written, is an optional suggestion: FEEL FREE...should you be ASKED. They gave you choices. I’ll bet they’re racking up on the free labor, two hours at a time. Four interviewees and they’ve gotten eight hours of free services.???

 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

OMG! My mind is just reeling with the liabilities possible!!

 

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Specializes in Critical and Intensive Care.
2 hours ago, amoLucia said:

OMG! My mind is just reeling with the liabilities possible!!

 

Me and you both. 

I sent my post-interview thank you email out this afternoon. 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

OP - you were blindsided!!!

Wonder if they ever pulled that trick on other unsuspecting interviewees?

Dept of Labor might be interested too.

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I say see where it takes you. When they call with your offer make sure to negotiate higher than whatever wage they suggest.

If you work for them keep your self esteem in check so that you use good judgement the next time they throw caution to the wind and suggest what ill-advised thing they want you to do. Which will likely occur on day 1 and every day thereafter.

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Specializes in Critical and Intensive Care.
15 minutes ago, JKL33 said:

I say see where it takes you. When they call with your offer make sure to negotiate higher than whatever wage they suggest.

If you work for them keep your self esteem in check so that you use good judgement the next time they throw caution to the wind and suggest what ill-advised thing they want you to do. Which will likely occur on day 1 and every day thereafter.

I have never negotiated a wage before so this will be fun haha!

Literally the PCT is so broad. 

You can start and DC IVs, run 12-lead EKGs and interpret them, place and remove foleys and caths, respond to all codes and rapids. Bladder scans, consults, etc... all in the job description too LOL.

Wage is $16-$24/hour 

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I'm shocked that with the liability issues they allowed you to work on the floor without a complete background check and all of the appropriate paperwork. What if you had been injured while helping with a patient? What if you had a history of abusing patients? Had they already checked your references before the interview? While I think this was all maybe a very good sign that they're interested in having you work there, I would very much suspect the judgment of people that put you in that position. I do hope it works out for the best for you. 

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