Rejected after panel interview for med-surg unit
Hi, I’m a senior nursing student, and I just got a rejection letter a week after my group panel interview for a med-surg unit. It’s a high-acuity surgical floor, and I felt like the interview went overall pretty well. They recognized me from clinical, we laughed a few times, it was conversational, the main interviewer spent the first 15-20 minutes just selling the unit, and I asked them around 7-8 thoughtful questions, which made the interview go on past the time slot.
But in the second half of the interview, I might have been too honest. I talked about a clinical experience I had on that unit that I’ll never forget. I mentioned that at one point I was stressed because of finals, which made me cry while talking to my nurse. She gave me a pep talk and just thoughtful advice on how to keep going. I told the manager I appreciated that talk because it showed me how supportive the team was, and it was just a helpful talk for a stressed student. She also asked why I transferred schools 2 years ago. I explained that at my old school, the huge class sizes weren't good for my anxiety, which hindered my learning. I made sure to say I’ve matured a lot in the last two years and could handle it now if I were to go back.
But now I’m wondering if mentioning the crying was a big red flag to them, or if my answer about transferring was just not good. In the rejection letter, she said that despite my clear enthusiasm and potential, she has concerns about me being overwhelmed if I start my nursing career in a fast-paced environment.
Overall, she was very kind and said she wants to set me up for success on a slower unit first, but would love to see me return in the future. I know that this is probably the best for me, but should I be less honest in future interviews? I don't really know how else to explain the transferring situation, and I might be asked about it again.
Any feedback or support would be greatly appreciated!
Edit: I also just feel like a failure, because even if it is a high-acuity unit, I thought I still had a chance because it is a med-surg unit. I avoided all the units like ICU because I knew it wasn't for me. Everybody told me I would get the job without a doubt. I did ask the manager if she has specific recommendations of where to look now, so I hope I get a response soon.