Career Advice: 5 Tips to Overcome Nursing Position Rejection

• It can be discouraging to hear you were not selected for the nursing position you had your heart set on. But consider career advice from someone who’s been there. 
• The five tips detailed below can help you improve your resume, your job search, and your interviewing skills. 
• There is growth and learning potential from every unfortunate set of circumstances, and your nursing career is no different. It’s up to you to turn it into something positive.

Filling out nursing applications, crafting the perfect cover letter and resume, practicing answering interview questions, and completing the interview is a job in itself. It can be quite jolting and discouraging to put so much effort and time into the process to hear you were not selected for the position you had your heart set on.  

Whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned nurse, you will likely encounter rejection from nursing positions you wanted. Over my nursing career, I have celebrated many triumphs, but I have also had my fair share of disappointment. Rejection is still hard when it happens, but knowing how to navigate it brings me comfort. I want to share five tips that help me overcome nursing position rejection. 

Do Not Take Rejection Personally 

This is easier said than done, as it’s natural to question what we might have done wrong. I have been down this rabbit hole, and I can tell you from experience, it doesn’t go anywhere fun. In fact, it only inhibits you and creates negative energy around future opportunities. The last thing you want to do is muddy your chances at other positions by bringing that energy to those interviews. As hard as it can be, it is best to take the rejection in stride and continue to make yourself available for other opportunities.  

This doesn’t mean you can’t be upset; it’s completely normal to feel defeated in this scenario. Process your feelings, but try not to dwell on the negative.  

Ask for Feedback

If you can handle constructive criticism, ask the hiring manager or human resources contact for feedback and what you might be able to improve on for future opportunities. Just know that not all facilities will be open to disclosing their reason for not selecting you. Going out of your way to ask for this feedback, whether you receive it or not, shows you care. If the hiring manager provides feedback and you feel it is something you can work on, great! 

If it was a simple personality mismatch, that is OK as well. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or that you have to “fix” a part of who you are. The department is simply looking for other traits that they feel suit their needs better. What one department does not appreciate, another department will. 

Pursue Continuing Education or Additional Experience

If additional education, skills, or work experience could have helped you land a certain nursing position, pursue those and reapply in the future. This doesn’t mean you need to return to college, though there may be circumstances where this is necessary based on your career goals. Aside from reentering college, you can also take online classes in your area of interest and receive certification through the mail. This certification could help with similar job opportunities down the road. 

This may not seem beneficial when you’re dealing with the rejection, but it will help you feel less powerless and amplify your resume should you choose to reapply. If you reapply and it happens to be the same hiring manager, they will take notice of your determination.  

Re-Evaluate Your Resume and Cover Letter

Editing your resume and cover letter can be helpful, especially if you left anything out that is important for potential interviewers to know. Look at your resume and cover letter from the viewpoint of an interviewer to gain insight into where edits may be beneficial.   

Updating these documents may result in a job offer next time around. Researching current nursing resume and cover letter trends can also give you a glimpse into what other nurses are doing if you’d like to incorporate those practices. Just make sure you stay true to who you are and your personal experience. 

Talk to Other Nurses or Find a Nurse Mentor

Talking to colleagues and friends in the field can help you navigate the disappointment of a nursing position rejection. They may have experience that could assist you with future opportunities. A supportive ear is invaluable, and sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through. In addition, finding a nurse mentor who holds a position you would like to work toward can provide guidance and a sense of direction. 

The Bottom Line

Being on the receiving end of a nursing position rejection is never easy, regardless of the reason. Although these five tips will not produce immediate results, they will help with future opportunities and lessen the sting of rejection.  

Incorporating these tips will give you a sense of empowerment and help you feel more in control of your future. There is growth and learning potential from every unfortunate set of circumstances in life, and it is no different regarding your nursing career. It is up to you to take hold of that potential and turn it into something positive. 

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