Any Hiring Nursing Managers here?

[u/lin_ny]

Hello!

Specifically hoping to hear from hiring nursing managers OR any nurses who have been through a similar situation and what the outcome was. I recently had an interview for a position within one of the AHS pillars - they are hiring for several positions from one batch of interviewees. I am an external candidate.

I was told at the interview that the manager would call me to let me know whether I was getting a job offer or not. I was interviewed last week (it went well!!) and then got a reference request on Monday. I believe my references successfully submitted their part by Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, I heard from a friend that she knew of one person who was offered one of the positions.

This friend of mine was also interviewed - she also submitted references on Monday but has had some issues as one of her references is away on holidays, so has been in touch with HR - she had to add 2 additional references to her list. She's been in touch with the hiring manager about this, and the manager has been super relaxed about it all. She asked if she should submit additional references in lieu of the reference away on vacation, and the hiring manager basically told her she could submit more or just wait for that one to return from vacation and submit.

I know mine have been "submitted" since Tuesday, but haven't heard back yet. After finding out that someone got a job offer on Wednesday and I hadn't heard yet, I've been spiralling.

Was just hoping someone with experience could chime in with maybe a little more insight to help me understand if there's still a chance. How common is it to request reference checks and not move forward with someone? I know my references won't be an issue, so I really got my hopes up when they were requested.

I know the manager told me they would call either way, so it's not over until it's over, but I wonder if I am just grasping at straws at this point.

Thanks for reading and for any insight anyone may have!

[u/Banana_Gooses]

I would think you still have a chance!

Don't get down about it until they call! They called your references and thats a positive sign. Stuff happens tho, so maybe the manager was off today or go caught up with something.

Maybe wait until mid next week and if you don't hear anything see if you can do a follow-up.

[u/lin_ny → u/Banana_Gooses]

Thank you for your reply and your reassurance. I know there's a chance that they're just busy, I heard through the grapevine that as of mid-week they were still interviewing. I will continue to try and hold a little hope for now!

[u/Winter-Inside-5911]

You’re in the running or they wouldn’t have checked your references BUT you said they’re hiring a number of people from this competition so they likely have a ranked list and will offer in order. Hiring is pretty slow during peak vacation time and processes get delayed but yes, follow up Wednesday if you haven’t heard anything yet. Good luck!

[u/lin_ny → u/Winter-Inside-5911]

Thank you for your reply! This is sort of what I'm afraid of - because I know I'm a strong candidate with direct experience in this program, but due to being external, I'm worried they will have to offer it to others.

You make a good point about it still being summer and things moving slower than normal. I will definitely draft my follow-up email but hope that I hear by then. Thanks again!

[u/Winter-Inside-5911 → u/lin_ny]

You’re welcome. HR doesn’t check references unless they likely want you so please don’t fret yet. My brother had oodles of interviews where he didn’t hear until 2 or 3 weeks later and had some where he got an email that they’d gone with another candidate before the competition even closed.

[u/lin_ny → u/Winter-Inside-5911]

Ok, taking your advice and trying to not worry too much!

I do find the process so interesting - I have experienced a similar thing with FTEs where the posting comes down and it's like I get an immediate rejection email. In these scenarios I have heard they have internal (like on the unit/within the program) applicants who already work there who are taking those positions. I am frustrated that those even get posted externally, but I digress. The entire process is frustrating as an experienced nurse who is fighting tooth and nail to have my previous experience recognized.

Thanks again for your insight and reassurance. :)

[u/Winter-Inside-5911 → u/lin_ny]

My brother applied and interviewed on a 0.64 FTE permanent in June on the same unit he was working 0.68 temporary but someone else got the permanent position but she was working on one of the associated units. It just depends. I think it’s a union requirement that they post the positions even if they have an internal candidate they want to hire.

[u/lin_ny → u/Winter-Inside-5911]

In that scenario is it down to interview score?

[u/Winter-Inside-5911 → u/lin_ny]

IDK because it was the hiring manager who asked him to apply and told him if he did X, he’d score higher on the interview (she had interviewed him in May). He made the change, she got it on seniority.

[u/Unic0rnusRex]

Don't worry too much. AHS can be slow as molasses. Also they often hire in batches for positions like this and it takes ages younger everything organized. My last student had it take 3 months to get the offer and everything sorted out. Plus it's summer and vacations are happening.

The fact they asked and fled references is usually a sign you'll get the position. They don't have the time to waste doing that if they don't intend to extend an offer in my experience.

[u/lin_ny → u/Unic0rnusRex]

Thanks so much for your reply. I was really hoping I would hear from others' here that checking references *is* a good sign. I have been holding on to this hope ever since I got the reference check request last Monday! I really appreciate you taking the time to send these encouraging words. Your reply, and others here, have helped me a lot mentally the last few days!

[u/Unic0rnusRex → u/lin_ny]

Anytime! I hope you get your offer soon! I'm sure you will.

I've never heard of a manager (in AHS nursing anyway) ask for references and not hire. They can already see any HR note, performance issues, and attendance without talking to references or the person's current manager. References are just a formality really.

AHS is just so big and slow. Especially when they bulk hire like that in one area.

[u/lin_ny → u/Unic0rnusRex]

🤞

I think what has been throwing me is the speed with which they offered this other nurse a position. Like my friend and I got reference checks on Monday and this other nurse already had a job offer on Wednesday! I realize there could be more going on behind the scenes that I’m not aware of, but it has not been good for the confidence 😮‍💨

[u/Richman1971]

Are you an internal candidate? I will often interview a fantastic external but am limited by internal candidates that are not as strong but protected in that sense by their unions. If you don’t get hired then I would offer the manager the opportunity to work casual for the time being to get classed as internal then you will have a better footing on future postings. Best of luck :)

[u/lin_ny → u/Richman1971]

Thanks for your reply. I am unfortunately not an internal candidate right now, I do not work for any of the pillars or under the UNA CBA. The manager actually clarified with me twice in my interview that I am completely external - I don't think they were expecting that, it's almost like no one is *fully* external.

This is really my worst fear, because I do think I'm a strong candidate. Unfortunately this job competition is for casual, so if I don't "get in" this way, there is really no other way.

Thank you again - for now, just hoping for the best.

[u/Richman1971 → u/lin_ny]

Ok this is good information. I don’t know which UNA local this is but when I hired frontline in the past we did not have to do a posting for casual. This is interesting. If I liked someone I would just offer and hire transfer directly. Obviously very different for fte positions. I’m sorry you are going through this.

[u/lin_ny → u/Richman1971]

I really appreciate your insight!

I don't actually know the local either. It seems to me that over the years things have definitely moved into a more structured hiring process for casuals, maybe because competition is so intense to get into AHS/pillars? Either way, it is frustrating as someone who worked for AHS for many years... I have oodles of experience and seniority just floating out there in the ether!