Worried New Grad. Any advice?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all, I recently graduated with my BSN at the beginning of September. I've been searching for a job for months. I finally got an interview with a really great hospital about two weeks ago. The interview went well, everyone seemed pleasant-they were writing a lot as I spoke. Which kind of made me nervous-I'm not sure if I should take that as a good sign. There was a lot of smiling and laughter throughout the interview and nodding from each panel member. Without me having to ask they explained everything about the position and how my orientation would go (in a great amount of detail). At the end of the interview I was told that they had other interviews to conduct the following week and that I should hear from them that same week. It's now been almost two weeks and nothing. I decided to give them a call after waiting a week and I left a V.M. and still haven't received a call back. Once I was at the in person interview I realized that the person who had reached out to me for the interview was the nurse leader for the unit-not the hiring manager. I'm not sure if that's a normal thing or what. She also mentioned that the unit does have some staffing issues. I don't know if I should assume I didn't get the job and move on. Maybe she's just really busy with other tasks and hasn't gotten to contacting me yet? Has anyone else experienced this? Or have any advice for me? It would be much appreciated!?

Whom did you call and leave a voice mail with? Was it the Human Resources dept?

Call human resources again, or even go in person. Sometimes these things do take a while to go through the bureaucracy.

Don't feel like you're being pushy or rude when you go to Human Resources. Applicants have to know what is going on with their application,. Have to know if they need to "move on".

If any one at human resources is annoyed or gives you an attitude they are in the wrong business!

I left a VM with the nurse leader, so far throughout the entire process she's the only person that I've had any contact with. Should I call the HR department and explain what's going on to them?

Yes, I assume, believe, any new hire has to go through Human Resources. Hopefully the nurse leader sent your paperwork to them.

If you live nearby go to Human Resources in person.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Nurse Navigation, Oncology.

Highly recommend incorporating thank you notes (or email or a card)following your interviews. In this instance, for example, you could get a thank you card and write a nice note in it reiterating your interest in the job, the contribution you'll bring and thank your interviewers for their time. This is also a great way of reopening the lines of communication and may prompt them to provide a status update. When I do it via email, typically I address it to all who interviewed me and CC the hr rep. I've never not gotten a response (for the ones I've done via email).

4 minutes ago, nurseteni said:

Highly recommend incorporating thank you notes (or email or a card)following your interviews. In this instance, for example, you could get a thank you card and write a nice note in it reiterating your interest in the job, the contribution you'll bring and thank your interviewers for their time. This is also a great way of reopening the lines of communication and may prompt them to provide a status update. When I do it via email, typically I address it to all who interviewed me and CC the hr rep. I've never not gotten a response (for the ones I've done via email).

Hello I normally do this however, the only contact information I have is her telephone number. I forgot to ask for another form of contact during my interview. Also I was sure to thank her and include all of that information after the interview and in the V.M. . I guess I can try to call the H.R. dept and find someone who knows something-hopefully haha. Thank you!

Specializes in Mental Health.

You didn't get a job until you've been offered the job so typically you should just keep on applying until you get an offer. Even jobs you aren't 100% sure you'd like, just apply and go in and talk to them and check out the unit. I recently accepted a position which resulted from an interview I nearly cancelled - in fact the only reason I went to the interview was to use it as "practice" for a couple more interviews I had the same week. It took them a couple weeks to call me with an offer and in the meantime I think I applied to 25 more positions and did several interviews. Turns out I took the first job I interviewed for lol, but even so I felt even more sure of my decision after interviewing at a number of other facilities.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Nurse Navigation, Oncology.

Yup, calling HR is your next bet. You're welcome, good luck ?

Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

Never "fall in love" with any particular job and try not to count on getting any particular job. Keep applying and allow yourself the widest area (including relocating if possible) of application. In this way you will have the best opportunity for the best job. It is also helpful to have a "short term" job that pays the bills while you are looking as this takes some of the pressure. off.

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