Well it appears that Level II hospital has declined to offer me one of the coveted critical care residency positions. Several of my classmates have gotten those happy phone calls however-- 4 that I know of.The first one I heard about is a girl that routinely came to class still drunk from the night before. Several times she's fallen asleep during lecture and started snoring. Since she sat behind me I often was the one to wake her. She has failed several exams that I know of, requiring being put on academic contract.
Next offer I heard about was to the girl who has decent grades, but also has a criminal background. It seems she got drunk one night, drove (drunk) to her baby daddy's apartment (a one night stand) and physically assaulted his girlfriend. Apparently there was a pair of scissors involved.
The next offer went to the girl with 4 kids and a husband that hits the club every weekend looking for action, sans husband. She also couldn't be bothered to show up to class or clinical on time, if she showed at all. Rumor has it she has far less than a 3.0 GPA, which was supposedly a requirement for the job.
The last offer I heard about went to a woman who asks questions that are so ridiculously basic the instructors would often misunderstand what she was actually asking. I suffered through 3 separate clinicals with this woman and was routinely amazed at what she didn't know. She failed her exit HESI so badly that the remediation classes were too advanced and she had to be individually instructed.
Now I know this is going to come across so terribly arrogant, but for heavens sake, I don't understand why they got hired and I didn't. I just feel like I was a much, much stronger candidate. I am literally aghast at who got hired. So are several of my friends and study partners-- any one of whom I'd be just fine getting passed over for.
Frustrated doesn't even approach my frame of mind.
This is one of my lowest points in nursing school to date.
Trying not to panic.
Did you know even the military wants at least a year of experience?
Maybe they gave a better interview than you did? If that's the case, you have something to work on for next time. If that's not the case, well.... it never hurts to brush up on those interview skilz, regardless.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry this happened. I imagine you must feel like shit. I hate getting passed over while the dregs get picked too.
Yeah, I keep going over and over in my head. I nailed the interview. Or so I thought. I had an instant rapport with them. I was articulate and had ready answers for all the questions. And it was a tough interview. I was on time, well dressed, well groomed.
ReplyDeleteUgh.
How annoying. Think of it as a sign. You'll find something better.
ReplyDeleteAll are female, eh?
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm
Just a thought
OMDG: Thank you for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteSAMTNS: My wife commented they all seem to be people who would have a hard time moving on to advanced practice. Maybe they've been losing too many nurses to that avenue.
I just want to offer a big hug for both this post and your last one.
ReplyDeleteThis happened for a reason. In 12-18 months, I'm willing to bet that all four new grads are going to be either miserable or no longer working at that hospital. And the managers there are probably a bunch of assholes. I bet that hospital is really a shitty place to work. Seriously. Have you spoken to anyone that says they love working there?
Anyway. I fully believe the Universe has something better in store for you. Keep your chin up.
i'm with your wifey on this one, dood. you walked into that/those interviews all bad-ass with CRNA Skool written all over that mug of yours. a buddy of mine on the ICU i work with got an interview already with Georgetown's CRNA skool, and he's been a nurse just as long as i have been, a little less than a YEAR. member, it takes at least 5 years to be a good anything nurse, but, CRNA skools aren't looking for good ICU nurses, they're looking for minimum 1 year exposure in an acute critical care setting. and those are two completely different things.
ReplyDeletemy advice-flunk the interviews. appear to be unmotivated, a little slow......although with your grades that'd be kinda hard. hmmmm......i know, maybe you could act all grateful to be a nurse and make like wiping people's butts is your life's highest ambition, and graduate skool? pshaw, perish the thought-that's for the birds......
nee-ways, good luck hombre.
UGH! That's terrible!! I'm sure you will get the well deserved position in a much more appreciative hospital! :)
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, at least you won't have to work with those irritating people!
Well, I have always stated that it doesn't matter what your grades are.....you would think that it does....
ReplyDeleteI have to admit i had the same thought as Send-a-man-to-nsg-school.....
And also Nurse J.
It costs a lot of money to train people...so they want someone who will stay...maybe emphasize that this is all you want to do, your life ambition is to work in their hospital etc etc and look like you mean it? Most hospitals look at the bottom line and if they smell anything like you are going to move along....then they will pass on you.
Unfortunately, you have to learn to play their game. Convince them - like i said - your life's ambition is to work forever in their hospital...
I don't think you have to "dumb it down"...just don't appear ambitious to the point that it looks like you will move on in a year.....
I do agree that you want to be sure to say you'll stay put BUT
ReplyDeletebased on my Fortune 500 corporate experience?
Toxic work environment.
Training can't overcome the character deficits you've outlined.
I think you got lucky. If they had hired you, it would've been unusual, you easily could've been the only nurse of your caliber there and all your coworkers would be at the level of who they hired.
Who needs that stress?
Things will work out. They will. I have faith for you and I don't even know you :)
M
Unfortunately I have to agree with SendAManToNursingSchool, I think it has something to do with your being a guy that has a good head on his shoulders. I bet you surpass the level of intelligence already on their floor hence they're scared of allowing someone so qualified to come in and show them up. I wouldn't change a thing, my hubby comes off that way at times, but it's for the best because where he has been placed through his jobs have been for the best. You'd hate to get somewhere, only to be miserable and want to quit. Keep fighting the good fight and you'll get to the place that God has in store for you.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has given you good advice. I think it speaks volumes about the hospital and the management that they hired the people they did.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've heard other male nurses say that being a man works against them when looking for jobs. {Not in psych though...we love male nurses!} It sounds like you have some other options and I have no doubt you'll find a job. Good luck with your upcoming interviews! I'm excited to hear what unit you end up on. I think you are quite a catch and any unit would be lucky to have you!
Thank you everyone for your kind words. Probably totally arrogant of me, but it had never crossed my mind that I wouldn't get it. My every interaction had been so positive.
ReplyDeleteI'm moving on though. Hopeful for bigger and better things.
My best friend had her baby at that hospital so I was thankfully only there for 14 hours. I have nothing but bad things to say about it. I thought it was going to be so great because of the facade that hospital presented. If I add together my experience there to what you have just said I would have to conclude that they hire nurses who will not advocate for their patients by daring to question authority. I got the distinct feeling that the nurse really didn't care that the pitocin was up so high that the contractions were one minute apart and lasting one minute. The nurse did do a good job of making sure that I was out of the way whenever the OB was present, though.
ReplyDeleteApparently as with everything else perhaps its just a case of its all in who you know.. insert other words here.
ReplyDeleteYou'll find your perfect job. I have faith in you.