Hubby is in class tonight, and we are immune from candy-hungry trick or treaters, so I get to relax and watch Toddlers & Tiaras tonight. :) Don't Judge, these episodes have Honey Boo Boo in them, and that little girl is too much! We were pretty slow at work today as Halloween candy and teeth are not a big mix. No one wants to feel guilty about eating their candy today. But I'll take the slow work day when it comes around. And Mike had today off of work, so he picked me up and we went on a little lunch date. I'm happy I have a hubby who does things like this for me, I'm one lucky girl. :)
We went to the pumpkin patch this weekend, and picked up some pumpkins and some yummy fudge! I also got a caramel apple. :) It would be a lot more fun to go once we have kids. We never went to pumpkin patches when I was growing up. The bins they get at the grocery store was our pumpkin patch. Mike always went to the p-patch. I wish we could have done things like this growing up, but my mom has issues with crowds, and I'm sure money was a factor, too. But I would just hate for my anxiety to keep my kids from doing things that make for good memories. And I can't wait for us to have kids and get to do things like this with them.
We also went for our yearly eye exams. I have somehow developed an astigmatism. I used to have better than 20/20 vision, and nursing school has completely ruined my vision. All this studying, all this reading, time in front of the computer, have resulted in my vision going to the crappers. I need readers to reduce my eye strain for up close, and I need glasses for distance. Yes, I have two pairs of glasses. Last year, I tried contacts and then just using my readers over them when needed, but my eyes just weren't having it. So I got a new set of glasses made for my distance lenses, and they are cute so I'm ok with wearing these all the time. I'm going try to get to get better about wearing my glasses round the clock instead of just when I can tell something is blurry, and hope that maybe my vision will improve.
I'm so over people telling me I should have no problem finding a job because of the nursing shortage. The economy sucks, the hospitals can afford to be pickier in their hiring practices. As a result, people like me have a harder time finding an entry-level position because we are more expensive to hire and train up front. It is just so depressing. I want to be proud of the fact that I am a nurse,and not be ashamed to admit that I am a nurse having a hard time finding a position and still working as a receptionist/treatment coordinator. I've said it before, I am extremely fortunate to have a good, stable job while I job search, but it just makes me want to cry when I think about it. That's all I can say.
Luckily, I have tomorrow off of work, and I plan on doing more job searching. I also have to plan our menu for having mom and dad-in-law over for dinner this weekend. There is one dish that I had during a lunch break when I was in my Capstone at the hospital that was amazing, and I hope I can find a recipe to make that or come up with my own! It's gonna be fun making something new!
We should be finding out in the next week or two whether or not Mike is getting promoted at work. He deserves this so much! He does such a great job at work, and he has really worked hard to meet the goals that were set for him, like passing more ASE certification exams. I wish his company didn't take so long to make these decisions, because I wanna know now!! :)
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
New Direction
I have come to the conclusion that my efforts in obtaining a job in a hospital have been a bit of a waste of time. I have literally applied to every hospital I know of in the area, or that I am willing to commute to, and its just not gonna happen. It is all because of experience, and my lack of it. So, I am taking this job search in a new direction. I'll still apply at hospitals if I see a position that seems like it could be open to a new graduate, but that will no longer be my main focus. I have begun the process of applying at long term care facilities. It is not my ideal, but if it will provide with a paying RN position, I'm just gonna have to put my big girl panties on and deal with it.
In fact, I needed to turn in an application in person at this one place because they do not have an online application system. So I stopped in on my lunch break yesterday and figured I'd just hand it over, walk out, and go back to work. Wrong. The man at the reception desk stopped me from leaving, clarified that I was an RN, and made a phone call. Next thing I know I'm walking down a hallway to meet someone who wanted to interview me on the spot. I was interviewed by the Assistant Director of Nursing, and it went pretty well. It was definitely a more laid back interview because the woman had a migraine, so the lights were all off exept her desk light. Pretty sure she used "bitching" a few times. But my goodness, it was a much needed ego boost after what happened on Friday. To actually feel like I was making a good impression made me feel so much better. Of course, she isn't the one who makes the final decision, but still I had a good interview. It helped lift me out of this bit of a depression I have been in, even if it doesn't result in a job offer.
However, I am still immensely anxious about the idea of working in a long term care facility. 15+ patients? I will be doing nothing but passing pills, doing treatments, and documenting and praying I make it out a live! There are tons of horror stories out there about LTC, and I'd hate for my license to be in jeopardy before I even really get started. But then I remember I made it through the hell that is nursing school, I can probably handle just about anything now, lol. I wish my program gave us a rotation in LTC. Our entire program is basically how to care for a patient in the hospital setting, yet how many of us have no chances of getting a hospital job right now because the hospitals are all going through merges or job cuts?? They could have prepared us for this aspect of nursing a little better in my opinion.
So, current tally of 100+ (I'm not counting anymore, beyond this, its ridic) applications, 3 interviews, 1 creeper, and zero job offers.
Oh....you want to hear about the creeper do you? Well, sure, why not! I work in a dental office currently, and I see dozens of patients every day, and talk to just as many on the phone. So, its actually a nice place to network as long as you aren't wearing a blinking sign above your head that says "Hire me!!". So, a male patient that was in the other day happened to work at one of the LTCs in the area that I was considering applying to. So I just asked him about the staffing, and told him that I was a nurse, and shared my anxiety about LTCs after my CNA clinicals at ManorScare a few years ago. He gave me his business card, and offered to forward my resume along to the DON. I thought this was really nice of him. So I e-mailed him my resume the next day, and right away, I get 3 e-mails back from him. 1st one consisted of saying he was glad to help, and a note to the DON about my resume (guy apparently doesn't know how to use e-mail because this should not have been a combined e-mail). The 2nd one consisted of him asking me if I was married, but that it was just a joke because HE was married, but that there was always something about nurses ".......". Then a 3rd e-mail directing me to which website to go to in order to apply for a position.
My biggest problem with this is that while he was trying to pass this off as a joke, it had a sexual tone to it. I get the whole "naughty nurse" stereotype, and I'm sure there are men who have fantasies about the sexy nurse who passes out lollipops and blow jobs. However, as a nurse, the ONLY man who is allowed to reference this kind of stereotype to me is my husband. And 2nd, this stereotype completely disregards the years of sacrifice and tears I cried getting through nursing school. It is not simply a silly little program where they teach you how to give sponge baths. It is by far the most challenging thing I have been through in my life. You are literally learning how to keep doctors from accidentally killing their patients. This stereotype is offensive because it makes it seem as if nurses are just sluts in scrubs, not intelligent and highly skilled individuals. I met him in a professional manner, the e-mail was sent in a professional manner, and he turns it into an inappropriate and icky situation.
And of course, just a couple of hours after this happened, I realized I left my cell phone in my car and went downstairs to get it, and guess who is standing at the bottom of the stairs?? Yep, that's right. Good ol' Mr. Creeper. Who happened to be there with his WIFE and CHILD. I would be livid if Mike made a joke like this to another woman. Under normal circumstances, I would have responded to thank him for forwarding my information along, but in this situation, I walked past him as quickly as I could have. I feel a bit violated, honestly. This guy received my resume,which has my address, e-mail, and cell phone number on it. He's not the type of person I want having that information. It may seem like I am overreacting, and maybe I am, maybe I watch too many unsolved mysteries. But, this just gave me a gross, violated feeling, and it is what it is.
I am pretty much turned off at the idea of even applying to this place now because of this. Which sucks because I'd hate to let some creep ruin a potential job opportunity for me, but I just don't know if its a good idea. I don't want to put myself into any other situations that could turn into inappropriate messes because of this man. I pray I'm not at the front desk the next time he comes in for an appointment.
Otherwise, things are good. Finally getting my hair done on Friday. I wish I didn't have such anxiety about this, but my intentions of going in at 6 weeks turns into 2 months. I just fret over it way more than any normal person should. It's ridiculous. My hair is actually getting closer to the length that I want it, despite what I know my stylist would say if he saw me. He'd scold me for sure. They want you in for trims every so often, and I'm just not compliant. I am good with my deep conditioning masks, my conditioner, my leave-in conditioner. Of course I do round brush it everyday, but I don't use the high setting anymore, I only use warm air, and I think its made a big difference. So, I'm rationalizing my lack of a haircut since the spring time, and I'm sticking to it.
And on a random note: our place smells like vanilla cupcakes when you walk in thanks to the Yankee Candle plug-ins we got a couple of weeks ago. I love them!
In fact, I needed to turn in an application in person at this one place because they do not have an online application system. So I stopped in on my lunch break yesterday and figured I'd just hand it over, walk out, and go back to work. Wrong. The man at the reception desk stopped me from leaving, clarified that I was an RN, and made a phone call. Next thing I know I'm walking down a hallway to meet someone who wanted to interview me on the spot. I was interviewed by the Assistant Director of Nursing, and it went pretty well. It was definitely a more laid back interview because the woman had a migraine, so the lights were all off exept her desk light. Pretty sure she used "bitching" a few times. But my goodness, it was a much needed ego boost after what happened on Friday. To actually feel like I was making a good impression made me feel so much better. Of course, she isn't the one who makes the final decision, but still I had a good interview. It helped lift me out of this bit of a depression I have been in, even if it doesn't result in a job offer.
However, I am still immensely anxious about the idea of working in a long term care facility. 15+ patients? I will be doing nothing but passing pills, doing treatments, and documenting and praying I make it out a live! There are tons of horror stories out there about LTC, and I'd hate for my license to be in jeopardy before I even really get started. But then I remember I made it through the hell that is nursing school, I can probably handle just about anything now, lol. I wish my program gave us a rotation in LTC. Our entire program is basically how to care for a patient in the hospital setting, yet how many of us have no chances of getting a hospital job right now because the hospitals are all going through merges or job cuts?? They could have prepared us for this aspect of nursing a little better in my opinion.
So, current tally of 100+ (I'm not counting anymore, beyond this, its ridic) applications, 3 interviews, 1 creeper, and zero job offers.
Oh....you want to hear about the creeper do you? Well, sure, why not! I work in a dental office currently, and I see dozens of patients every day, and talk to just as many on the phone. So, its actually a nice place to network as long as you aren't wearing a blinking sign above your head that says "Hire me!!". So, a male patient that was in the other day happened to work at one of the LTCs in the area that I was considering applying to. So I just asked him about the staffing, and told him that I was a nurse, and shared my anxiety about LTCs after my CNA clinicals at ManorScare a few years ago. He gave me his business card, and offered to forward my resume along to the DON. I thought this was really nice of him. So I e-mailed him my resume the next day, and right away, I get 3 e-mails back from him. 1st one consisted of saying he was glad to help, and a note to the DON about my resume (guy apparently doesn't know how to use e-mail because this should not have been a combined e-mail). The 2nd one consisted of him asking me if I was married, but that it was just a joke because HE was married, but that there was always something about nurses ".......". Then a 3rd e-mail directing me to which website to go to in order to apply for a position.
My biggest problem with this is that while he was trying to pass this off as a joke, it had a sexual tone to it. I get the whole "naughty nurse" stereotype, and I'm sure there are men who have fantasies about the sexy nurse who passes out lollipops and blow jobs. However, as a nurse, the ONLY man who is allowed to reference this kind of stereotype to me is my husband. And 2nd, this stereotype completely disregards the years of sacrifice and tears I cried getting through nursing school. It is not simply a silly little program where they teach you how to give sponge baths. It is by far the most challenging thing I have been through in my life. You are literally learning how to keep doctors from accidentally killing their patients. This stereotype is offensive because it makes it seem as if nurses are just sluts in scrubs, not intelligent and highly skilled individuals. I met him in a professional manner, the e-mail was sent in a professional manner, and he turns it into an inappropriate and icky situation.
And of course, just a couple of hours after this happened, I realized I left my cell phone in my car and went downstairs to get it, and guess who is standing at the bottom of the stairs?? Yep, that's right. Good ol' Mr. Creeper. Who happened to be there with his WIFE and CHILD. I would be livid if Mike made a joke like this to another woman. Under normal circumstances, I would have responded to thank him for forwarding my information along, but in this situation, I walked past him as quickly as I could have. I feel a bit violated, honestly. This guy received my resume,which has my address, e-mail, and cell phone number on it. He's not the type of person I want having that information. It may seem like I am overreacting, and maybe I am, maybe I watch too many unsolved mysteries. But, this just gave me a gross, violated feeling, and it is what it is.
I am pretty much turned off at the idea of even applying to this place now because of this. Which sucks because I'd hate to let some creep ruin a potential job opportunity for me, but I just don't know if its a good idea. I don't want to put myself into any other situations that could turn into inappropriate messes because of this man. I pray I'm not at the front desk the next time he comes in for an appointment.
Otherwise, things are good. Finally getting my hair done on Friday. I wish I didn't have such anxiety about this, but my intentions of going in at 6 weeks turns into 2 months. I just fret over it way more than any normal person should. It's ridiculous. My hair is actually getting closer to the length that I want it, despite what I know my stylist would say if he saw me. He'd scold me for sure. They want you in for trims every so often, and I'm just not compliant. I am good with my deep conditioning masks, my conditioner, my leave-in conditioner. Of course I do round brush it everyday, but I don't use the high setting anymore, I only use warm air, and I think its made a big difference. So, I'm rationalizing my lack of a haircut since the spring time, and I'm sticking to it.
And on a random note: our place smells like vanilla cupcakes when you walk in thanks to the Yankee Candle plug-ins we got a couple of weeks ago. I love them!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Weekend Update
That second interview I had was crushing. It started out with the interviewer telling me about the department, the job, etc.....and then 2 questions about me, and then me trying to ask some questions that she hadn't already answered in her 5 minute monologue. And then it was done. I was so caught off guard by how quickly it was over. I was surprised by the lack of technical questions, the "Describe a time......." or "How would you handle this situation?". I tried my best to interject with some information about my skills, work experience, but she didn't seem too concerned with that. I just thought it was such a strange and unusual interview, and the way she ended it was just bizarre. Maybe she already had made a decision to hire someone else but had to still interview me, or maybe she didn't like my answers to the very basic questions she had asked me. Or she didn't like my sweater. Who knows, but I would be very surprised if anything else comes from this. Which I was devastated following the interview, the job sounded awesome, and the facility was beautiful, and part of me had a little bit more of my hopes up because it was a 2nd interview, rather than a 1st. I just didn't think my time would get wasted like that. And of course, as I'm trying to hold in tears as I'm leaving, its pouring down raining, where I had sunshine before I entered. It's like the weather decided to coordinate with my emotions.
My friends have tried to reassure me to not write this place off yet, and that maybe the person was just a bad interviewer, or why would they spend so much time talking about what the job would involve, etc, if they weren't seriously considering me? But its hard to remain optimistic because she didn't close the interview in an open-ended manner "We'll let you know when we have made a decision" or "We will be in touch". So, I have no real indication to work with, in my opinion, that this will go anywhere else. I was sad the rest of the night, but I'm doing my best to just keep it moving.
For the positive, I can now say that I have had a couple of interviews for practice. I can no longer say that I've received no interest, because my resume has drawn some interest, even if it hasn't resulted in a job offer yet. I can critique my interview answers and refine them. I can only get better. I just have to keep moving along.
I have started to seriously consider nursing homes, but I'm going to be very selective if I choose to apply to any. I am just too worried about the safety of a new graduate being responsible for 15+ patients at a time. I don't want to start a job just to decide I don't feel comfortable doing it and quitting. The job that will make me leave my current job has to be one that is a good fit for me, period.
In other news, we are taking care of Mom and Dad-in-law's cat while they are out of town. I am sad Riley is staying with Gramps, because I miss him and would have liked to get to see him when we stop by the house to take care of Timmy the Terrible. I really wish we could get a dog, but we are in a no-pets building, and with my job situation in the near future being on the unknown side, and Mike being in class after work, it just wouldn't be fair. *sigh*
Registration for Spring classes is Nov. 6. I am 95% sure I will be signing up. I also want to work on getting my ACLS certification. I just want to keep adding to my resume, rather than just remaining idle and doing nothing. I also have to start working on my Continuing Education. To renew your license, you have to have so many CE Credits, which I believe I currently have zero, unless you count renewing my BLS certification., which I don't think it does.
And today is absolutely beautiful!! Gonna enjoy the heck out of it!!
My friends have tried to reassure me to not write this place off yet, and that maybe the person was just a bad interviewer, or why would they spend so much time talking about what the job would involve, etc, if they weren't seriously considering me? But its hard to remain optimistic because she didn't close the interview in an open-ended manner "We'll let you know when we have made a decision" or "We will be in touch". So, I have no real indication to work with, in my opinion, that this will go anywhere else. I was sad the rest of the night, but I'm doing my best to just keep it moving.
For the positive, I can now say that I have had a couple of interviews for practice. I can no longer say that I've received no interest, because my resume has drawn some interest, even if it hasn't resulted in a job offer yet. I can critique my interview answers and refine them. I can only get better. I just have to keep moving along.
I have started to seriously consider nursing homes, but I'm going to be very selective if I choose to apply to any. I am just too worried about the safety of a new graduate being responsible for 15+ patients at a time. I don't want to start a job just to decide I don't feel comfortable doing it and quitting. The job that will make me leave my current job has to be one that is a good fit for me, period.
In other news, we are taking care of Mom and Dad-in-law's cat while they are out of town. I am sad Riley is staying with Gramps, because I miss him and would have liked to get to see him when we stop by the house to take care of Timmy the Terrible. I really wish we could get a dog, but we are in a no-pets building, and with my job situation in the near future being on the unknown side, and Mike being in class after work, it just wouldn't be fair. *sigh*
Registration for Spring classes is Nov. 6. I am 95% sure I will be signing up. I also want to work on getting my ACLS certification. I just want to keep adding to my resume, rather than just remaining idle and doing nothing. I also have to start working on my Continuing Education. To renew your license, you have to have so many CE Credits, which I believe I currently have zero, unless you count renewing my BLS certification., which I don't think it does.
And today is absolutely beautiful!! Gonna enjoy the heck out of it!!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Yes, I am Indeed Impatient
Just got a call for a second interview today. I had started looking up nursing homes today, in defeat, and there weren't even any positions there to apply for. I had just finished an application when my phone started ringing, and I thought "Damn, that was fast!!" But it was for the place I interviewed with last week! I am over the moon excited. Another round of rejection that I have survived!!
This is just what I needed. So thankful!
This is just what I needed. So thankful!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Maybe I am Impatient
But 6 days post-interview now, and no call for a follow up interview. I wrote my thank you card, and I'm moving on. If they call, great, if not, I expected that. Every rejection e-mail I get feels like hate mail filled with nasty insults and digital punches in the face, and then laughing at me like the bully-kid on the Simpsons. I know a position will come my way, but the process of getting to it is really doing a number on me. On one hand, I need a mental break from this stream of constant rejection, but then if I give myself that break, am I missing out on possible opportunities? It is just so overwhelming and consuming to feel like I must be obsessed with checking application statuses, checking job posting sites for new positions, and seeing if my job search e-mail maybe has a surprise e-mail that didn't get sent to my phone for some reason (which never happens). I just didn't think that I'd be at this point where I have literally applied for every job that I am qualified for or on the brink of qualifying for that I have found at this point (current count as of today: 94), and still have gotten no where.
My mom told me that I should strive to get 100 No's as a way of not getting so upset over the rejections, but looking at them as something that is helping me reach a goal. Honestly, when she first said that, I said in my mind "Yeah right, there is no way I will get to that number without getting SOMETHING!", and well here I am. I just want to feel like I can focus on just having a normal life, where you go to work, and come home and relax or spend time with my hubby. I want to be consumed by something else other than this job search. I have given up 3 years of my life to reaching this point in my life of being a nurse, and I feel like I'll reach 4 years by the time I finally get a position.
*sigh*
There are good things happening in our life, and I need to remember that. I feel like our place is finally starting to really feel like home. I have been pretty indecisive about decorating, but I do feel it has worked out in my advantage because I have found some pieces that I could have easily paid two or three times MORE than what I did pay for it had I just purchased the first thing I found. And I am very pleased with the progress we have made with decorating. Our 2nd bedroom still plagues me, but besides a couple of projects I want to do, the rest of the house is pretty much the way I want it.
Hopefully exciting things happening with Mike's job. Planning our trip for Christmas, and thinking about possible places to go for our 5th Anniversary in May. Mike finishing his program at school this December. And me going back to school hopefully in January to get started on finishing my Bachelors degree. This is what I need to keep in the back of my head when I get the job search blues, because life is actually pretty darn good.
My mom told me that I should strive to get 100 No's as a way of not getting so upset over the rejections, but looking at them as something that is helping me reach a goal. Honestly, when she first said that, I said in my mind "Yeah right, there is no way I will get to that number without getting SOMETHING!", and well here I am. I just want to feel like I can focus on just having a normal life, where you go to work, and come home and relax or spend time with my hubby. I want to be consumed by something else other than this job search. I have given up 3 years of my life to reaching this point in my life of being a nurse, and I feel like I'll reach 4 years by the time I finally get a position.
*sigh*
There are good things happening in our life, and I need to remember that. I feel like our place is finally starting to really feel like home. I have been pretty indecisive about decorating, but I do feel it has worked out in my advantage because I have found some pieces that I could have easily paid two or three times MORE than what I did pay for it had I just purchased the first thing I found. And I am very pleased with the progress we have made with decorating. Our 2nd bedroom still plagues me, but besides a couple of projects I want to do, the rest of the house is pretty much the way I want it.
Hopefully exciting things happening with Mike's job. Planning our trip for Christmas, and thinking about possible places to go for our 5th Anniversary in May. Mike finishing his program at school this December. And me going back to school hopefully in January to get started on finishing my Bachelors degree. This is what I need to keep in the back of my head when I get the job search blues, because life is actually pretty darn good.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
First Interview....Check!
I did end up getting an interview out of that call I got the other day! I have been a complete nervous wreck all day, because I really didn't have very much time to prepare. My interview was with the nurse recruiter in human resources, and I feel it went well enough. I could have stated my responses in a more eloquent manner, but I did the best that I could. Truly, it's a learning opportunity if nothing else to help me prepare for the next one.
So she is forwarding my information along to the hiring manager of the position I originally applied to, along with some others that she felt I may be a fit for me. I just have to hope I get a 2nd interview!
I completely passed out as soon as Mike and I got home from having dinner out. I think being in a bit of a an anxiety attack all day took its toll on me. Now I'm sure trying to sleep tonight will be impossible!!
So she is forwarding my information along to the hiring manager of the position I originally applied to, along with some others that she felt I may be a fit for me. I just have to hope I get a 2nd interview!
I completely passed out as soon as Mike and I got home from having dinner out. I think being in a bit of a an anxiety attack all day took its toll on me. Now I'm sure trying to sleep tonight will be impossible!!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Finally.....A Call!!
I tallied up all of my applications the other day, and I'm well over 85 at this point. Super depressing, and I cried. Maybe I shouldn't have tallied them up, but it was sort of necessary so that I didn't apply again for positions I was already rejected for. I just couldn't believe I had sent my resume in for that many positions, and I couldn't even get beyond the rejecto-bot of the HR department.
I just asked for something. Some sign that this all isn't completely in vain. Because applying to nursing homes was starting to look pretty good. Then, I just happened to check the status for a handful of applications I had out at one hospital, and to my surprise....they had been forwarded to the unit manager.
What?!??!
I was in shock. I had actually made it past the first round of rejection! Of course, no phone call as of yet, but I wasn't instantly rejected! And someone human looked at my resume and thought I may be a possibility....this was the little push of encouragement I needed.
I also got a call today from another application I sent in last week. Extra push of encouragement!! I was at work when they called, so I am hoping they will return my call tomorrow! I don't want to get my hopes up, but again....to have a human person actually review my resume and actually think I deserved a phone call makes me happy.
I just have to keep going. It may still be months from now before I have a nursing position, but I can't let this get me down.
I just asked for something. Some sign that this all isn't completely in vain. Because applying to nursing homes was starting to look pretty good. Then, I just happened to check the status for a handful of applications I had out at one hospital, and to my surprise....they had been forwarded to the unit manager.
What?!??!
I was in shock. I had actually made it past the first round of rejection! Of course, no phone call as of yet, but I wasn't instantly rejected! And someone human looked at my resume and thought I may be a possibility....this was the little push of encouragement I needed.
I also got a call today from another application I sent in last week. Extra push of encouragement!! I was at work when they called, so I am hoping they will return my call tomorrow! I don't want to get my hopes up, but again....to have a human person actually review my resume and actually think I deserved a phone call makes me happy.
I just have to keep going. It may still be months from now before I have a nursing position, but I can't let this get me down.
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