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

Nurses General Nursing

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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! 

Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

I was able to shadow for a position or two. I don't recall if it was before/after the background check. But found it really  helpful in making sure it was a good fit.

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Specializes in OB.
17 hours ago, amoLucia said:

OP - you were blindsided!

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

Dept of Labor might be interested too.

I mean, it was in the pre-interview email to bring scrubs so I'm guessing they do it on the regular.

PCTs interpret EKGs?  That's a new one.  I'd run rapidly in the opposite direction of this job, but that's just me.

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6 hours ago, CritCareTech said:

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.

You'll need to use very good judgment with all of this, too. I suggest you consult the related health codes in your state to make sure you know what is and isn't your scope of practice as a PCT.

As far as pay, they probably won't go outside of their range. You could suggest something slightly higher just for kicks and see what they say, then negotiate down to the top part of their range.

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1 hour ago, LibraSunCNM said:

I mean, it was in the pre-interview email to bring scrubs so I'm guessing they do it on the regular.

[...]

Bringing scrubs to allow the applicant to shadow after the interview the interview is one thing, and completely appropriate.  However, allowing the applicant to "work the floor" for two hours is not the same, is is not appropriate.

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

You'll need to use very good judgment with all of this, too. I suggest you consult the related health codes in your state to make sure you know what is and isn't your scope of practice as a PCT.

As far as pay, they probably won't go outside of their range. You could suggest something slightly higher just for kicks and see what they say, then negotiate down to the top part of their range.

Unfortunately in my state - they don't recognize PCT so there is no scope of practice. 

I seen it before in my previous ICU position. The scope falls under the nurses license. "Complete tasks and duties as delegated per the professional Registered Nurse". If I or another PCT screws up - it's the RNs fault per policy as he/she said to do it. I've never screwed up thankfully - just did some stuff that policy says not to even with RNs approval (like rotating and cleaning an intubated and heavily sedated pt alone when policy says an RN must be present). Even respiratory said that day "Yeah you know what to do if the tube DC from the ETT".

So we can theoretically do anything a nurse does- as long as they're aware of it. 

It's like in EMS. We're not allowed to drill or start lines, or draw up meds unless the medic says to. And then, legally he/she did it per the report and pre-hospital report. 

I have shadowed before, but never had to change into scrubs nor actually go hands-on with any skills/interventions in an interview. Just threw me off LOL

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Specializes in OB.
13 minutes ago, chare said:

Bringing scrubs to allow the applicant to shadow after the interview the interview is one thing, and completely appropriate.  However, allowing the applicant to "work the floor" for two hours is not the same, is is not appropriate.

Agreed, although it's perfectly acceptable for an applicant to shadow in interview attire, since they're not doing anything hands-on.  That, and the big picture the OP described makes me think this ain't their first rodeo taking advantage of an interviewee.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

I wouldn't ever do hands on in a job shadow event, in any capacity. If something went sideways in one way or another, I couldn't even begin to imagine the possible personal liability, depending on state. In the future, just say no. I don't care what the specialty or how desirable the company is, this could spell bad outcome

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Specializes in Critical and Intensive Care.
4 minutes ago, Hoosier_RN said:

I wouldn't ever do hands on in a job shadow event, in any capacity. If something went sideways in one way or another, I couldn't even begin to imagine the possible personal liability, depending on state. In the future, just say no. I don't care what the specialty or how desirable the company is, this could spell bad outcome

Bingo. 

And NONE of this makes sense. I'm in a state with basically 3 Healthcare companies. Two of which are on my side of the state, and each are their own insurance provider for most of Northeast USA. 

I won't say the name - but this 4-letter monstro really threw me into a tizzy. 

Like, I'm not scared of COVID but there was only 1 other time I went for an interview when if there was a COVID positive pt - no interviewees were allowed on the unit. That was a small hospital then so I could understand. 

But this last interview, she was like "Yeah we have about 85% COVID positive now in the ICU. Hope you don't mind".

COVID doesn't worry me at all but literally - I am shocked that they're allowing in-person interviews and allow "shadows" with the COVID patients. All within the largest Healthcare system in the northeast. ???

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48 minutes ago, CritCareTech said:

[...]

I seen it before in my previous ICU position. The scope falls under the nurses license. "Complete tasks and duties as delegated per the professional Registered Nurse". If I or another PCT screws up - it's the RNs fault per policy as he/she said to do it. ...

[...]

Which state is this?

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Specializes in Critical and Intensive Care.
2 minutes ago, chare said:

Which state is this?

Pennsylvania 

But you didn't hear it from me.

They only cover Certified Nursing Assistants state-level. Most PCT's are not CNAs, like myself. 

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
1 hour ago, CritCareTech said:

So we can theoretically do anything a nurse does- as long as they're aware of it. 

Holy cluster that sounds like a nightmare for everyone. While I am ultimately responsible for the care of the patients assigned to me, my critical care techs have their own scope of practice and I'm not personally responsible for every aspect should there be a mistake. While you may be comfortable with this and by your report you haven't made a mistake, I'm not sure how much I would be comfortable delegating in a similar scenario. Do you have a specific check off training for all of these activities? For example, technically I don't even "interpret" 12 lead EKGs, I can read them enough to understand the result and relay to the appropriate provider, but I'm not officially interpreting. And what kind of consults are you responsible for? 

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1 hour ago, JBMmom said:
2 hours ago, CritCareTech said:

So we can theoretically do anything a nurse does- as long as they're aware of it. 

Holy cluster that sounds like a nightmare for everyone. ...

Agreed.  I think he or she is confusing being providing supervision to the PCT to mean that he or she is working under the RN's license.  Also, I find it hard to believe that any hospital would hire a PCT without having a detailed job description.

And, if this is true, that the nurse is responsible for any error committed by a PCT, I don't think I would ever ask one for help.

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