My wife and had a financial meeting this morning, as we often do on the morning after our paychecks get direct deposited into the checking account. Usually it's a quick assessment of what little we have to show for our hard work after the dust clears from the bills feeding frenzy.
Today was no different.
However, we did a quick check of our gross income to make sure that we were on track with our tithe amount for church. And that's when it hit me.
My gross pay for the year (with numerous extra shifts and overtime) was just over half of my wife's gross pay to date. Right at 55%. My wife doesn't often work extra shifts (although she has occasionally.)
Let me qualify this observation:
a.) She has been at her job for 9 years, I for less than 1 year.
b.) She works a contracted weekend plan that pays her an extra differential for working every weekend.
Ok, so she's had a significant head start, and she gets compensated for forking over our social life essentially.
But twice as much? Really??
She works for a nationally recognized non-profit children's hospital. It is a large hospital--over 300 beds, and expanding even as we speak. It is a designated trauma center. She works on a critical care unit at the highest level of care provided by the hospital to its patients.
I work for a nationally recognized non-profit hospital. It is a large hospital--over 1000 beds, and expanding even as we speak. We are designated a Level 1 trauma center. I work on a critical care unit at the highest level of care provided by the hospital to its patients.
New grad nurses at her hospital make on average at least $10,000 more per year than new grads at my hospital.
My wife gets paid extra for working in critical care. I get paid the same as any other nurse in the hospital--day surgery to med-surg to L&D. We all get paid the same.
I recently remember working a weekend (extra diff), night (extra diff), holiday (time & a half), overtime (time & a half) shift. After adding up all my diffs and overtime, my hourly pay was only slightly more than my wife's base pay.
I don't mind that my wife makes more than me, at least not consciously. In fact I'm quite thankful as her job is the only way we've survived financially through my job failures and extra degrees. But when I think about how hard I work and the razor edge I routinely walk with my patient's lives and my license, it is a little disheartening to see the disparity. I don't think my wife works any less hard than I do, but I don't think she works any harder either.
Because of my past degrees, I have a crippling amount of student loan debt. Two of my three loan payments were more than this 2 weeks paycheck, and the third loan payment will be another 1/3 of my next paycheck. Lucky for me, the end of those payments is in sight--only 29 1/2 years from now.
I guess like many, I'm lucky to have a spouse willing to lump her paychecks into the joint checking account to provide for her family.
So sweetie, "Thank you," for paying my car payment this month, and my insurance, groceries, and fuel. Oh and "Thanks" for providing me a place to live.
I'll do my best to repay you when I get my earning potential soul back from the student loan companies.
Either that or when my life insurance comes through.
Showing posts with label Employment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Employment. Show all posts
Friday, October 14, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Orientation
Today was my first day of hospital system orientation. Since I work for a hospital system with multiple campuses and 20,000 employees, they put on system wide orientation for all new hires at one central location.
It wasn't exactly your typical hospital orientation. Much less of the housekeeping type of stuff, and much more cheerleader type presentations. It was weird. I found myself quite bored at times while we were going over the copious power point slides all written in corporation-speak. In other words, a whole lot of words that don't really say anything. Thank goodness for the squishy man they included in our packets. Otherwise I might not have made it through without his antics...
However, the culture of the system as a whole is remarkable. 27% of employees have been there for 10 years or longer. That seems like a large percentage although I don't really have anything to compare it to. It also seems to be in line with my own personal observation during my management clinical and Capstone--every time I turned around it seemed like I was meeting someone who had been there 25-30 years.
The whole thing seemed a little unpolished and unorganized, but that's because it wasn't put on by an HR rep, but rather by two everyday employees. The idea was that anyone can come and do lip service to an organization, especially if that's what they're paid to do. However, just run of the mill employees that were just as pumped about the organization makes a statement.
On the flip side, there was a lot of support work involved too. For example, IT showed up with 25 laptops and set up a "Cyber Cafe" that was manned by an IT rep for every 2 computers to help people get logged in and work out any password issues. Very cool. Breakfast of fresh cut fruit, muffins, and bagels; lunch of baked salmon or baked chicken, rice pilaf, green beans and desert; then a cheese tray for afternoon snacks. There was an I-9 rep, there was a free gift from the hospital store. Tomorrow is the resource fair for benefits, including a wellness program that pays part of your insurance premium if you participate. Free classes by the public safety officers in defensive driving and personal protection. A system-wide credit union. Discounts through cell phone companies. The list goes on and on.
Really excited about working here!!
It wasn't exactly your typical hospital orientation. Much less of the housekeeping type of stuff, and much more cheerleader type presentations. It was weird. I found myself quite bored at times while we were going over the copious power point slides all written in corporation-speak. In other words, a whole lot of words that don't really say anything. Thank goodness for the squishy man they included in our packets. Otherwise I might not have made it through without his antics...However, the culture of the system as a whole is remarkable. 27% of employees have been there for 10 years or longer. That seems like a large percentage although I don't really have anything to compare it to. It also seems to be in line with my own personal observation during my management clinical and Capstone--every time I turned around it seemed like I was meeting someone who had been there 25-30 years.
The whole thing seemed a little unpolished and unorganized, but that's because it wasn't put on by an HR rep, but rather by two everyday employees. The idea was that anyone can come and do lip service to an organization, especially if that's what they're paid to do. However, just run of the mill employees that were just as pumped about the organization makes a statement.
On the flip side, there was a lot of support work involved too. For example, IT showed up with 25 laptops and set up a "Cyber Cafe" that was manned by an IT rep for every 2 computers to help people get logged in and work out any password issues. Very cool. Breakfast of fresh cut fruit, muffins, and bagels; lunch of baked salmon or baked chicken, rice pilaf, green beans and desert; then a cheese tray for afternoon snacks. There was an I-9 rep, there was a free gift from the hospital store. Tomorrow is the resource fair for benefits, including a wellness program that pays part of your insurance premium if you participate. Free classes by the public safety officers in defensive driving and personal protection. A system-wide credit union. Discounts through cell phone companies. The list goes on and on.
Really excited about working here!!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
I'm Back!
After nearly two weeks on the road, I am back. First the cruise to Mexico--amazing--and then a trip to hike the Grand Canyon--amazing!
I'll write up some details and post pictures later.
On the nursing side of things, I start orientation on Monday at my new job. Very excited for this fact. Had a minor freak out when the HR department called me on Wednesday, (when I was 1000 miles from home in spotty cell service), and told me the company they hired to do my background check couldn't verify I had a nursing degree. And I couldn't start unless I could provide them proof I'd graduated by Friday, end of business.
Uh...
So, a panicked call to my wife, and she ordered a stat official transcript Fed-Ex'd to the HR department ($24.00!!!!) so that I could start work Monday.
Other than that, things are pretty quiet.
Oh yeah. I take the NCLEX a week from today, next Saturday morning at 8 am. My ATT came by email while I was sitting in port waiting to depart on our cruise. So I hurriedly scheduled my exam as the ship was pulling out of port. Lucky for me I got it scheduled before we lost cell service.
Anyway, more posts soon!
I'll write up some details and post pictures later.
On the nursing side of things, I start orientation on Monday at my new job. Very excited for this fact. Had a minor freak out when the HR department called me on Wednesday, (when I was 1000 miles from home in spotty cell service), and told me the company they hired to do my background check couldn't verify I had a nursing degree. And I couldn't start unless I could provide them proof I'd graduated by Friday, end of business.
Uh...
So, a panicked call to my wife, and she ordered a stat official transcript Fed-Ex'd to the HR department ($24.00!!!!) so that I could start work Monday.
Other than that, things are pretty quiet.
Oh yeah. I take the NCLEX a week from today, next Saturday morning at 8 am. My ATT came by email while I was sitting in port waiting to depart on our cruise. So I hurriedly scheduled my exam as the ship was pulling out of port. Lucky for me I got it scheduled before we lost cell service.
Anyway, more posts soon!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Humbled
As I mentioned in previous posts, I have been offered an amazing job. I have been accepted into the critical care internship at Gargantuan Hospital. Gargantuan is a Level I trauma center with over 1000 beds. My home unit will be the coveted CVICU. This is THE job I said I would turn down any other offer for.
Looking back over the journey I've taken to get here--from the depths of despair as a chiropractor unable to even provide for his family to a new grad nurse intern on one of the top units in one of the best hospitals in the country--I am struck by how visible the hand of God is in all this to me.
I know several of my readers are atheist or polytheist, so I hope this post doesn't come across as too preachy. That isn't the intent at all but my Christian faith is a very important aspect of who I am, so I feel I need to record this experience as I've lived it.
It's been no secret that I've schemed and planned to get this job for months--actually over a year and a half now. From the moment I heard about my externship in my Jr. I semester, I coveted it. I sought out the manager after spending the day on the unit as an "off unit experience" for my Jr. I clinical. I made my case for wanting the externship, and he told me to email him the following October when the position was posted.
I cultivated a friendship with a student a year ahead of me who was currently in the externship. Granted we have much in common, and he truly is a good friend now, but my purpose in the beginning was to open doors for me.
When the time came, the extern position was posted for only 2 days, and I was offered the position even before the end of the interview. I had secured the job before anyone else in my class at school even knew the position existed. I vowed to keep an open mind and considered staying on at that unit after graduation, but really the whole reason to work there was to gain valuable experience on an ICU so I could move on to a bigger hospital and a bigger unit. I wanted all this within the educational confines of an externship rather than working entirely as a grunt tech. The experience I gained was invaluable. I learned and did things that many working RN's don't know how to do.
I schemed and pleaded my case to get into the clinicals that would pave the way to such a desired position after graduation. I suffered through Med Surg clinicals at a large county hospital to be able to put the name on my resume. Before Sr. I semester even started, I uncovered who my clinical instructor for critical care would be and I wrote emails to her to ensure I got placed in the CVICU at Level II hospital, again for the name drop on the resume, and to build relationships to possible secure a position after graduation. For Sr. II, I again scrambled and plead my case and managed to get into management and Capstone clinicals at the only large hospital on the clinical list for that semester (Gargantuan Hospital). Only 10 of us out of 110 students got into that clinical group--but it was a must-have because Gargantuan Hospital has a reputation for hiring out of Capstone.
I worked my ass off to keep a high GPA in classes that I could have simply passed without studying at all, with no work at all. I joined professional organizations and attended meetings. I spent time doing community service through volunteer work. I volunteered to work as a standardized patient for an ACLS class, missing a baseball game with my family, because the class was sponsored by Gargantuan Hospital and I would have the chance to interact with the education department.
Only God knows how many prayers went his way regarding my employment.
And through it all, God has simply directed things and made it all fall into place in an eerie sequence of events. Happenings that don't seem to make sense at all, and lead me to believe that someone has been watching over me with a greater purpose for my life.
For example--remember Amazing Children's Medical Center? I applied for their summer externship position. The person I interviewed with all but handed me the position during interview, saying, "If any other hospital offers you a position, be sure you call me first." I canceled a family vacation and didn't sign up for summer classes because I firmly believed I would be getting an offer from them. You may remember that no job offer came. Others in my class were selected instead. And I was devastated. That program was supposed to lead to a job for me after graduation.
And you remember me applying for Level II's critical care internship a month ago? One of the panel members I interviewed with was actually the manager of the unit where I did my critical care clinical--one who approached me at that time to find out my plans post graduation. I rubbed elbows with the ICU managers during a recruiting event, and I had an awesome interview. I fully expected a job offer. And I did not get one, while others in my class did. People that I couldn't understand why would be selected above me.
But God knew just what he was doing.
Amazing Children's Medical Center? They still haven't interviewed for their critical care internship. In fact I've heard through the grapevine that they haven't even nailed down a budget for their interns yet, so they don't even know if they are hiring anyone. The people hired into their externship are still waiting to know if they'll have jobs or not. Meanwhile other hospitals are hiring and filling their positions. They'll be sifting through leftovers if they aren't offered the jobs they were all but promised.
And the Level II internship? The people they've chosen to fill the positions speaks poorly of the entire hospital. Certainly not people I would trust to work near, let alone depend on to have my back in tough situations. That's not even mentioning whether I'd allow them anywhere near a loved one in a health crisis.
In fact, I was recently rejected even by the large county hospital. A hospital that's so desperate for nurses they are giving out sign on bonuses in this economy. And they didn't even bother to interview me.
And so God has orchestrated my hiring into an amazing hospital, onto a prestigious unit. A place with an amazing culture where it seems every time you turn around, you meet an employee who has been there for 20+ years. A hospital with such a great reputation in the community that I have never heard anything but good things about it.
More importantly, God allowed me to scheme and plan. He allowed me to beat my head against the wall. And then, when there was nothing left for me to do--when I had exhausted all my human antics and vain attempts--he simply put me where he'd planned for me to be all along.
A week before I interviewed for my new job, the manager wasn't planning on hiring anyone--their census had been too low. But when the numbers for the last quarter came through, their census had picked up so much there was room for not only me, but another new grad as well. If that isn't a sign of God's abundance and provision, I don't know what is--he provided twice what was needed.
And so I here I am. Broken and humbled. And well cared for.
My grades, my work experience, my resume, and my networking may be the justification for my hiring, but I know quite deeply that they are not the reasons why.
Looking back over the journey I've taken to get here--from the depths of despair as a chiropractor unable to even provide for his family to a new grad nurse intern on one of the top units in one of the best hospitals in the country--I am struck by how visible the hand of God is in all this to me.
I know several of my readers are atheist or polytheist, so I hope this post doesn't come across as too preachy. That isn't the intent at all but my Christian faith is a very important aspect of who I am, so I feel I need to record this experience as I've lived it.
It's been no secret that I've schemed and planned to get this job for months--actually over a year and a half now. From the moment I heard about my externship in my Jr. I semester, I coveted it. I sought out the manager after spending the day on the unit as an "off unit experience" for my Jr. I clinical. I made my case for wanting the externship, and he told me to email him the following October when the position was posted.
I cultivated a friendship with a student a year ahead of me who was currently in the externship. Granted we have much in common, and he truly is a good friend now, but my purpose in the beginning was to open doors for me.
When the time came, the extern position was posted for only 2 days, and I was offered the position even before the end of the interview. I had secured the job before anyone else in my class at school even knew the position existed. I vowed to keep an open mind and considered staying on at that unit after graduation, but really the whole reason to work there was to gain valuable experience on an ICU so I could move on to a bigger hospital and a bigger unit. I wanted all this within the educational confines of an externship rather than working entirely as a grunt tech. The experience I gained was invaluable. I learned and did things that many working RN's don't know how to do.
I schemed and pleaded my case to get into the clinicals that would pave the way to such a desired position after graduation. I suffered through Med Surg clinicals at a large county hospital to be able to put the name on my resume. Before Sr. I semester even started, I uncovered who my clinical instructor for critical care would be and I wrote emails to her to ensure I got placed in the CVICU at Level II hospital, again for the name drop on the resume, and to build relationships to possible secure a position after graduation. For Sr. II, I again scrambled and plead my case and managed to get into management and Capstone clinicals at the only large hospital on the clinical list for that semester (Gargantuan Hospital). Only 10 of us out of 110 students got into that clinical group--but it was a must-have because Gargantuan Hospital has a reputation for hiring out of Capstone.
I worked my ass off to keep a high GPA in classes that I could have simply passed without studying at all, with no work at all. I joined professional organizations and attended meetings. I spent time doing community service through volunteer work. I volunteered to work as a standardized patient for an ACLS class, missing a baseball game with my family, because the class was sponsored by Gargantuan Hospital and I would have the chance to interact with the education department.
Only God knows how many prayers went his way regarding my employment.
And through it all, God has simply directed things and made it all fall into place in an eerie sequence of events. Happenings that don't seem to make sense at all, and lead me to believe that someone has been watching over me with a greater purpose for my life.
For example--remember Amazing Children's Medical Center? I applied for their summer externship position. The person I interviewed with all but handed me the position during interview, saying, "If any other hospital offers you a position, be sure you call me first." I canceled a family vacation and didn't sign up for summer classes because I firmly believed I would be getting an offer from them. You may remember that no job offer came. Others in my class were selected instead. And I was devastated. That program was supposed to lead to a job for me after graduation.
And you remember me applying for Level II's critical care internship a month ago? One of the panel members I interviewed with was actually the manager of the unit where I did my critical care clinical--one who approached me at that time to find out my plans post graduation. I rubbed elbows with the ICU managers during a recruiting event, and I had an awesome interview. I fully expected a job offer. And I did not get one, while others in my class did. People that I couldn't understand why would be selected above me.
But God knew just what he was doing.
Amazing Children's Medical Center? They still haven't interviewed for their critical care internship. In fact I've heard through the grapevine that they haven't even nailed down a budget for their interns yet, so they don't even know if they are hiring anyone. The people hired into their externship are still waiting to know if they'll have jobs or not. Meanwhile other hospitals are hiring and filling their positions. They'll be sifting through leftovers if they aren't offered the jobs they were all but promised.
And the Level II internship? The people they've chosen to fill the positions speaks poorly of the entire hospital. Certainly not people I would trust to work near, let alone depend on to have my back in tough situations. That's not even mentioning whether I'd allow them anywhere near a loved one in a health crisis.
In fact, I was recently rejected even by the large county hospital. A hospital that's so desperate for nurses they are giving out sign on bonuses in this economy. And they didn't even bother to interview me.
And so God has orchestrated my hiring into an amazing hospital, onto a prestigious unit. A place with an amazing culture where it seems every time you turn around, you meet an employee who has been there for 20+ years. A hospital with such a great reputation in the community that I have never heard anything but good things about it.
More importantly, God allowed me to scheme and plan. He allowed me to beat my head against the wall. And then, when there was nothing left for me to do--when I had exhausted all my human antics and vain attempts--he simply put me where he'd planned for me to be all along.
A week before I interviewed for my new job, the manager wasn't planning on hiring anyone--their census had been too low. But when the numbers for the last quarter came through, their census had picked up so much there was room for not only me, but another new grad as well. If that isn't a sign of God's abundance and provision, I don't know what is--he provided twice what was needed.
And so I here I am. Broken and humbled. And well cared for.
My grades, my work experience, my resume, and my networking may be the justification for my hiring, but I know quite deeply that they are not the reasons why.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Content
I've been whittling away at my 8 12-hour Capstone night shifts on the Transplant ICU at Gargantuan hospital. As of this morning I've done 5 of the 8. I'm back again for the next 2 nights, and then a chaser shift on the 7th. At that point I will have completed all the requirements of my nursing school for graduation.
Transplant ICU has been interesting. I have a really great preceptor--so laid back--we fit perfectly. I've felt good about my contributions to the unit, and it's been great learning another aspect of ICU nursing.
In fact, this morning as I was leaving from shift #5, I found myself reflecting on the state of my life at this point, and a sense of well-being washed over me. The air was chilly, and the sun was just coming up. I was snuggled inside my college of nursing hoodie, and walking to the remote parking felt good.
I suddenly realized, I love my little ICU world. I love micro-managing my patient's care, and controlling every vital parameter. I love that the difference between doing well and crumping can be just a few mg/dL, or a few mmols. I love things as simple as writing vitals every hour, putting my mark on the chart stating, "I assessed this patient this hour, and things were good," or "things weren't so good so I..." I love that when patients go bad on the floor, they come down to me. I love the look of relief on the floor nurse's face when I take over responsibility for the patient's care. I love that docs ask me what I think the patient needs, and 9 times out of 10 they're on board with me. I love these things.
I love that I'm almost done with school. I love that the school and professors have thrown their worst at me, and I've met every challenge head on and succeeded. I love that I've excelled not only in classes, but in clinicals even more so.
I love that I have a job waiting for me. That I beat out 758 applicants that had been screened over the phone. I love the tone of respect in other people's voices when they hear which hospital I've been hired into, because it is truly a fantastic organization. I love the tone of respect in other nurse's voices when they talk about my home unit. I heard a Transplant ICU nurse say that on my home unit, "All the nurses are oddly intense."
I love that my wife truly gets what I'll be doing for a living. I love that I can complain about docs or nurses or lab or RTs and she understands why I'm frustrated. I love that I can throw out a set of vitals or lab values and she's appropriately shocked or mystified without me having to explain it.
Most of all, I love that my little, beautiful family is still gathered tightly around me despite the journey I've been on. I love that the kids still scream "DADDY!!!!" when I come home. I love that my wife kisses me and says, "Good job."
Life is good.
Transplant ICU has been interesting. I have a really great preceptor--so laid back--we fit perfectly. I've felt good about my contributions to the unit, and it's been great learning another aspect of ICU nursing.
In fact, this morning as I was leaving from shift #5, I found myself reflecting on the state of my life at this point, and a sense of well-being washed over me. The air was chilly, and the sun was just coming up. I was snuggled inside my college of nursing hoodie, and walking to the remote parking felt good.
I suddenly realized, I love my little ICU world. I love micro-managing my patient's care, and controlling every vital parameter. I love that the difference between doing well and crumping can be just a few mg/dL, or a few mmols. I love things as simple as writing vitals every hour, putting my mark on the chart stating, "I assessed this patient this hour, and things were good," or "things weren't so good so I..." I love that when patients go bad on the floor, they come down to me. I love the look of relief on the floor nurse's face when I take over responsibility for the patient's care. I love that docs ask me what I think the patient needs, and 9 times out of 10 they're on board with me. I love these things.
I love that I'm almost done with school. I love that the school and professors have thrown their worst at me, and I've met every challenge head on and succeeded. I love that I've excelled not only in classes, but in clinicals even more so.
I love that I have a job waiting for me. That I beat out 758 applicants that had been screened over the phone. I love the tone of respect in other people's voices when they hear which hospital I've been hired into, because it is truly a fantastic organization. I love the tone of respect in other nurse's voices when they talk about my home unit. I heard a Transplant ICU nurse say that on my home unit, "All the nurses are oddly intense."
I love that my wife truly gets what I'll be doing for a living. I love that I can complain about docs or nurses or lab or RTs and she understands why I'm frustrated. I love that I can throw out a set of vitals or lab values and she's appropriately shocked or mystified without me having to explain it.
Most of all, I love that my little, beautiful family is still gathered tightly around me despite the journey I've been on. I love that the kids still scream "DADDY!!!!" when I come home. I love that my wife kisses me and says, "Good job."
Life is good.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
So...
I can't talk about it yet because it isn't officially official, but I got a phone call about 20 min ago that made me literally jump up and down, giggling like a little girl.
Monday, November 15, 2010
And So I Wait.
And I pray.
A lot.
The interview went really well. But then so did my interview with Level II.
Gargantuan Hospital seems much more focused on excellence though. Several times throughout the interview it was reiterated to me how challenging this particular unit would be. They explained that the level of knowledge required of me by the critical care internship as a whole (meaning the mutual classes with the interns from the other ICUs as well) would not be sufficient for the CVICU. I would be held to a much higher standard. I was told that it would be starkly obvious if I did not study, and that I would be sent home if not prepared.
I said, "Bring it on."
With what I hope was a charmingly crooked smile and a gleam in my eye.
Their warnings only served to whet my appetite. I want it now more than ever.
As soon as I got home I wrote out a thank you card and popped it in the mail. It's the first time I've felt compelled to do so.
They gave me no time frame of when they'll be making a decision.
And so I wait.
And I pray.
A lot.
A lot.
The interview went really well. But then so did my interview with Level II.
Gargantuan Hospital seems much more focused on excellence though. Several times throughout the interview it was reiterated to me how challenging this particular unit would be. They explained that the level of knowledge required of me by the critical care internship as a whole (meaning the mutual classes with the interns from the other ICUs as well) would not be sufficient for the CVICU. I would be held to a much higher standard. I was told that it would be starkly obvious if I did not study, and that I would be sent home if not prepared.
I said, "Bring it on."
With what I hope was a charmingly crooked smile and a gleam in my eye.
Their warnings only served to whet my appetite. I want it now more than ever.
As soon as I got home I wrote out a thank you card and popped it in the mail. It's the first time I've felt compelled to do so.
They gave me no time frame of when they'll be making a decision.
And so I wait.
And I pray.
A lot.
The Night Before
My interview is bright and early in the morning. I'll be up to get ready well before the sun comes up, even with the recent time change.
I'm nervous and anxious.
Mostly I'm just contemplative. It's been such a long and tortuous journey to get here. And now I stand at the foot of the mountain of my goal. This position I'm interviewing for really is my dream job. It's the.position I would have turned down any other offer to take.
Part of me wonders if that's not the reason I've had the disappointments and frustrations up until this point.
I really don't know what I'm going to do if I don't get this job. It's unthinkable at this point. I must really keep my mind on the positive and the potential.
I should try to sleep now.
Most of you won't read this until I'm already in with the lions. Please send me a prayer or a good thought. It would mean a great deal to me.
I'm nervous and anxious.
Mostly I'm just contemplative. It's been such a long and tortuous journey to get here. And now I stand at the foot of the mountain of my goal. This position I'm interviewing for really is my dream job. It's the.position I would have turned down any other offer to take.
Part of me wonders if that's not the reason I've had the disappointments and frustrations up until this point.
I really don't know what I'm going to do if I don't get this job. It's unthinkable at this point. I must really keep my mind on the positive and the potential.
I should try to sleep now.
Most of you won't read this until I'm already in with the lions. Please send me a prayer or a good thought. It would mean a great deal to me.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Oh. My. Goodness.
Gargantuan Hospital CVICU just called me to ask if I was still interested in interviewing for a position.
Somehow, "Yes. Yes I am," didn't seem to cover it appropriately...
However, "Oh holy hell yes!" didn't seem like quite the right impression to make.
Yaaaay!
Somehow, "Yes. Yes I am," didn't seem to cover it appropriately...
However, "Oh holy hell yes!" didn't seem like quite the right impression to make.
Yaaaay!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
F-off, but Sincerely and Cheerily
Dear nurseXY,
Thank you for your interest in Level II Hospital and your recent interview for the position: CRITICAL CARE RESIDENCY JANUARY 2011 (Job ID 27400 ).
At this time we have decided to pursue another candidate for this position. We encourage you to review other open positions of interest at www.levelIIhospital.org/jobs.
After registering for an account, you can build a job agent that will notify you via email when new positions are available that match your profile.
We wish you the best of success in your career search.
Thank you,
Super Cheery HR Rep
Thank you for your interest in Level II Hospital and your recent interview for the position: CRITICAL CARE RESIDENCY JANUARY 2011 (Job ID 27400 ).
At this time we have decided to pursue another candidate for this position. We encourage you to review other open positions of interest at www.levelIIhospital.org/jobs.
After registering for an account, you can build a job agent that will notify you via email when new positions are available that match your profile.
We wish you the best of success in your career search.
Thank you,
Super Cheery HR Rep
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Frustration
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?
Friday, November 5, 2010
Livin' on a Prayer...
...and a whole lot of faith.
I sent this email to my boss at my current unit this morning:
No, I haven't secured another position.
Yes, I'm more than a little freaked out.
No, my wife won't kick me out of the house and has agreed to continue being my Sugah Mama should I not get a job.
Yes, I covet your prayers and good thoughts.
I sent this email to my boss at my current unit this morning:
Thank you for considering my application and offering me a position. After much prayerful consideration, I am respectfully declining the offer, and am choosing to pursue other opportunities for employment.
Regards,
NurseXY
No, I haven't secured another position.
Yes, I'm more than a little freaked out.
No, my wife won't kick me out of the house and has agreed to continue being my Sugah Mama should I not get a job.
Yes, I covet your prayers and good thoughts.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Interviewed
I interviewed for the critical care residency at Level II hospital today. Let me tell you, this interview was no joke--they were not messing around. There were 5 of them, and if you're keeping score there's only 1 of me. The educator in charge of the residency conducted the interview, and the other 4 in attendance were managers from various ICUs.
Honestly though, I just took a deep breath and forced myself to relax. They were all very courteous and friendly, for which I was thankful. I at least felt like I was charming them a bit.
And then the questions started. First up were the expected questions, "Why our hospital?" And "Why critical care?" Then she cut to the situational questions. Fifteen of them. Fifteen! There was only one that I stumbled a bit on--I asked that we skip it and when we came back to it, I had a ready answer.
The program sounds pretty sweet--it's two years long. The first 3 weeks are hospital and nursing orientation. Then comes 4 weeks on each of the 5 ICUs. Then it's match day, and the home unit starts the full on orientation for at least 12 weeks. Then the remainder of the 2 years is spent working and still some class time. The residency closes out with a CCRN class and the CCRN exam. In return, the hospital wants a 3 year commitment starting with the residency.
I feel pretty good about the interview, but they are interviewing through the end of next week. So we'll see.
***********
I got to run with my wife today for the first time in several months. It was a good workout. 30 min at a 10 min pace, but on the hill climb function on the treadmill. I only had it set on level 1, but it was good for 674 calories. Weighed in after my workout at 245.0.
Honestly though, I just took a deep breath and forced myself to relax. They were all very courteous and friendly, for which I was thankful. I at least felt like I was charming them a bit.
And then the questions started. First up were the expected questions, "Why our hospital?" And "Why critical care?" Then she cut to the situational questions. Fifteen of them. Fifteen! There was only one that I stumbled a bit on--I asked that we skip it and when we came back to it, I had a ready answer.
The program sounds pretty sweet--it's two years long. The first 3 weeks are hospital and nursing orientation. Then comes 4 weeks on each of the 5 ICUs. Then it's match day, and the home unit starts the full on orientation for at least 12 weeks. Then the remainder of the 2 years is spent working and still some class time. The residency closes out with a CCRN class and the CCRN exam. In return, the hospital wants a 3 year commitment starting with the residency.
I feel pretty good about the interview, but they are interviewing through the end of next week. So we'll see.
***********
I got to run with my wife today for the first time in several months. It was a good workout. 30 min at a 10 min pace, but on the hill climb function on the treadmill. I only had it set on level 1, but it was good for 674 calories. Weighed in after my workout at 245.0.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Level II, Part Deaux
I have a panel interview with Level II hospital tomorrow morning at 11 am. This is for their critical care residency. It sounds like a good program. We'll rotate through the 5 different ICUs over 6 months, and then we'll have a match day to pick a home unit.
As usual I'm a bundle of nerves.
As usual I'm a bundle of nerves.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
And Rancorous the HESI Lurks
Posts have been a little anemic lately, but for good reason. Tomorrow I take the dreaded HESI. HESI is basically a comprehensive exam over the whole of nursing school. We've been taking sections of the HESI at the end of each course, and I've typically scored in the 1400-1500 range, so I'm relatively confident. However, the comprehensive nature of this final exam (and the length, 160 questions) has me a little nervous. Which is a good thing I think--i've been buried in my HESI review book and doing online practice tests all week. My school is nicer than some as I only have to make an 850 to pass, and I get 3 chances, but I'd really like to just check this box off and move on.
In other news I have my internship interview on my home unit today. I'm sure I will be given a hard deadline for my decision. This leaves me in a tough spot as I don't have a formal offer from anyone else yet. Today is the 2 week mark of when I was supposed to have heard from individual units at Gargantuan Hospital. Also Level II hospital sent out an email stating interviews for the critical care residency will begin next week. And I have heard absolutely nothing from Awesome Children's Hospital at all, after having applied more than 2 weeks ago. They are appearing less and less awesome as time rolls on.
I bought my gown, cap, and honors cord today.
Anyway, that's a little update.
In other news I have my internship interview on my home unit today. I'm sure I will be given a hard deadline for my decision. This leaves me in a tough spot as I don't have a formal offer from anyone else yet. Today is the 2 week mark of when I was supposed to have heard from individual units at Gargantuan Hospital. Also Level II hospital sent out an email stating interviews for the critical care residency will begin next week. And I have heard absolutely nothing from Awesome Children's Hospital at all, after having applied more than 2 weeks ago. They are appearing less and less awesome as time rolls on.
I bought my gown, cap, and honors cord today.
Anyway, that's a little update.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Level II Back to Square I
Well I submitted my previous post too quickly.
I got another call from the CVICU this afternoon. They canceled my interview.
They are apparently converting their internship program to a critical care residency. Residents rotate through the 5 ICUs over 6 months. At the end of the residency the residents rank the units, and the units rank the residents. Then they have a big match day.
It's a pretty cool idea. However...
I'm bummed for a couple reasons.
A.) All applicants for the ICU internships will now be considered for the residency. Including the ones I've already beaten out just to get a CVICU interview. Everyone is back in the game. *Sigh*
B.) Interviews will now be conducted by nursing admin and the nurse education dept. This means I'm losing the advantage I've created for myself in wooing the unit managers. A bunch of hard work down the drain. It may pay off in unit match day, but only if I manage to land the residency in the first place. *Sigh*
The other super annoying thing is they've told us they have no idea when they'll start interviewing.
Back to waiting.
I got another call from the CVICU this afternoon. They canceled my interview.
They are apparently converting their internship program to a critical care residency. Residents rotate through the 5 ICUs over 6 months. At the end of the residency the residents rank the units, and the units rank the residents. Then they have a big match day.
It's a pretty cool idea. However...
I'm bummed for a couple reasons.
A.) All applicants for the ICU internships will now be considered for the residency. Including the ones I've already beaten out just to get a CVICU interview. Everyone is back in the game. *Sigh*
B.) Interviews will now be conducted by nursing admin and the nurse education dept. This means I'm losing the advantage I've created for myself in wooing the unit managers. A bunch of hard work down the drain. It may pay off in unit match day, but only if I manage to land the residency in the first place. *Sigh*
The other super annoying thing is they've told us they have no idea when they'll start interviewing.
Back to waiting.
Level II Interview
I got a call today to schedule a peer interview with the CVICU at the Level II trauma center across the street from my wife's hospital. I had heard the rumor that they weren't going to be interviewing until November some time, so I was delighted to hear from them. I go in at 1330 on Thursday to meet with a panel of staff nurses, and then they will make recommendation to the managers and charge nurses. Then the managers and charge nurses conduct a second round of interviews to decide on who gets the offer. Kind of stressful really, so I think I'll just concentrate on one step at a time.
Good things about this hospital include the fact that it is across the street from where my wife works. This means we could carpool, and even eat meals together. It is also a unit with a reputation for turning out CRNA school candidates. And better yet, many of the staff from the schools work at the local CRNA programs--including on the admissions committees--work at this hospital also. It is also a much shorter drive than driving to Gargantuan hospital where I've also interviewed. Like half the time and distance.
On the downside, the parent organization for this hospital has a reputation for being super cost conscious. I did my critical care rotation on this unit, so I have a pretty good picture of day to day life there. There are often several triples at the beginning of the shift. They usually get them shipped out pretty quickly, but the workload is definitely legit.
If I get an offer from both the Level II hospital and the Gargantuan hospital it will be very, very tough to decide.
As always, I'll covet your good vibes and prayers on Thursday. I've heard these peer interviews can be tough.
Good things about this hospital include the fact that it is across the street from where my wife works. This means we could carpool, and even eat meals together. It is also a unit with a reputation for turning out CRNA school candidates. And better yet, many of the staff from the schools work at the local CRNA programs--including on the admissions committees--work at this hospital also. It is also a much shorter drive than driving to Gargantuan hospital where I've also interviewed. Like half the time and distance.
On the downside, the parent organization for this hospital has a reputation for being super cost conscious. I did my critical care rotation on this unit, so I have a pretty good picture of day to day life there. There are often several triples at the beginning of the shift. They usually get them shipped out pretty quickly, but the workload is definitely legit.
If I get an offer from both the Level II hospital and the Gargantuan hospital it will be very, very tough to decide.
As always, I'll covet your good vibes and prayers on Thursday. I've heard these peer interviews can be tough.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A Well Hit Ball...
...but we'll have to wait a couple weeks to see if it clears the fence or not.
Today was my phone interview with Gargantuan Hospital. I was at my community health clinical site so about 5 minutes before time I secured a quiet room, plugged in my phone charger, and sat down and waited. I was scheduled for 1530. And 1530 came and went. 1545, then 1600. Given the hiring freeze information from yesterday, I really began to sweat, and at 1610, mercifully my phone lit up and vibrated like mad. I answered breathlessly and was treated to an earful of sincere apologies for the interviewer's tardiness.
Once we got the preliminaries out of the way, she complimented my GPA and work experience and we started the interview in earnest. I got the usual interview questions: What are your 3 year goals, what are your 5 year goals, "Tell me about a time that you had to advocate for a patient," "Tell me about a time you had to deal with an angry patient," etc, etc. I was relaxed and had a ready answer for each question, and I really felt good about the rapport I had with the interviewer.
She then told me she had gotten 380 applications for the critical care internship in just 6 days. So I asked her about the hiring freeze. She laughed and said, "No, absolutely not true." Apparently they were doing an HR audit, where they froze all operations for 3 days so they could take inventory of what positions were still open, what had been filled, what they could fill with internal candidates. This particular hospital system employs over 20,000 people just in our metro area, so they need to take stock of themselves every now and then. In fact she has 930 open positions to fill!!
After the final questions regarding whether I could pass a background check and drug screen, she concluded by telling me that she was going to highly recommend me and send my file to 5 separate ICU units for peer interviews. She told me that I was exactly the kind candidate they were looking for. She also told me that getting through the interview with her would be the most difficult part of the process, and that I came through with flying colors.
The only down sides are the pay (starting at $22.75/hr,) and having to wait 1-2 weeks for the unit peer interviews.
Frankly, I can deal with both if it lands me an ICU job at Gargantuan Hospital.
Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers, it really went well.
Today was my phone interview with Gargantuan Hospital. I was at my community health clinical site so about 5 minutes before time I secured a quiet room, plugged in my phone charger, and sat down and waited. I was scheduled for 1530. And 1530 came and went. 1545, then 1600. Given the hiring freeze information from yesterday, I really began to sweat, and at 1610, mercifully my phone lit up and vibrated like mad. I answered breathlessly and was treated to an earful of sincere apologies for the interviewer's tardiness.
Once we got the preliminaries out of the way, she complimented my GPA and work experience and we started the interview in earnest. I got the usual interview questions: What are your 3 year goals, what are your 5 year goals, "Tell me about a time that you had to advocate for a patient," "Tell me about a time you had to deal with an angry patient," etc, etc. I was relaxed and had a ready answer for each question, and I really felt good about the rapport I had with the interviewer.
She then told me she had gotten 380 applications for the critical care internship in just 6 days. So I asked her about the hiring freeze. She laughed and said, "No, absolutely not true." Apparently they were doing an HR audit, where they froze all operations for 3 days so they could take inventory of what positions were still open, what had been filled, what they could fill with internal candidates. This particular hospital system employs over 20,000 people just in our metro area, so they need to take stock of themselves every now and then. In fact she has 930 open positions to fill!!
After the final questions regarding whether I could pass a background check and drug screen, she concluded by telling me that she was going to highly recommend me and send my file to 5 separate ICU units for peer interviews. She told me that I was exactly the kind candidate they were looking for. She also told me that getting through the interview with her would be the most difficult part of the process, and that I came through with flying colors.
The only down sides are the pay (starting at $22.75/hr,) and having to wait 1-2 weeks for the unit peer interviews.
Frankly, I can deal with both if it lands me an ICU job at Gargantuan Hospital.
Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers, it really went well.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Frozen
While I was at management clinical at the gargantuan hospital today, they announced a hiring freeze.
I do however, still have an interview tomorrow.
I do however, still have an interview tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Round Three
Today I attended a NurseWeek career fair. The majority of the larger hospitals in the area were in attendance including the three hospitals I either have applied to, or intend to.
After sitting through a truly awful 1.5 hour CE lecture on patient safety, they finally opened the exhibit hall where the employers were set up. I was surprised at the audacity of people. People were there in blue jeans--expecting to get a job. People elbowed past me several times in an effort to grab up the free goodies off the tables, not even stopping to speak with the recruiters. I saw people going from table to table grabbing stuff and stowing it in their tote bags, like some sort of adult trick-or-treating.
I started off at the table of the gargantuan hospital where I have my management clinical. I applied for their critical care internship on Friday, the same day they posted. The recruiter was super nice, super professional, and lo and behold, she actually read my resume. She gave me the email of the recruiter directly in charge of the critical care internship, and instructed me on what to tell her. I emailed her when I got home, and got a response within minutes. She told me I was already on her list of people to contact, and set me up with a telephone interview on Thursday. So far, that hospital has been the most professional by far, which is a big plus.
Next I moved to the table of the Amazing Children's Hospital. The rep there wasn't even an actual recruiter, but he was able to tell me they are posting the internships tomorrow. Only a month after they said they would. After hearing from several people that candidates from pediatric facilities are at a disadvantage for CRNA school admissions, my wife and I are rethinking my plan to work there. Couple that with the way they've treated me, and I think they're going to have to knock my socks off with their offer. I'm not going to hold my breath.
My third table was the large hospital where I've applied to the TICU and the CVICU. This recruiter painted a dismal picture for new grads. She was shocked to hear I'd only applied to two units, telling me I needed to have applied to at least 5. Then she said, "What we're telling new grads is, 'Do you want a job, or do you want to be unemployed?'" I had felt that this hospital was my best option, but after talking with her, I'm not so sure. She made me so nervous I went and visited the two county hospitals as well, and I came home and applied at one of them.
Nothing like a little reality check.
After sitting through a truly awful 1.5 hour CE lecture on patient safety, they finally opened the exhibit hall where the employers were set up. I was surprised at the audacity of people. People were there in blue jeans--expecting to get a job. People elbowed past me several times in an effort to grab up the free goodies off the tables, not even stopping to speak with the recruiters. I saw people going from table to table grabbing stuff and stowing it in their tote bags, like some sort of adult trick-or-treating.
I started off at the table of the gargantuan hospital where I have my management clinical. I applied for their critical care internship on Friday, the same day they posted. The recruiter was super nice, super professional, and lo and behold, she actually read my resume. She gave me the email of the recruiter directly in charge of the critical care internship, and instructed me on what to tell her. I emailed her when I got home, and got a response within minutes. She told me I was already on her list of people to contact, and set me up with a telephone interview on Thursday. So far, that hospital has been the most professional by far, which is a big plus.
Next I moved to the table of the Amazing Children's Hospital. The rep there wasn't even an actual recruiter, but he was able to tell me they are posting the internships tomorrow. Only a month after they said they would. After hearing from several people that candidates from pediatric facilities are at a disadvantage for CRNA school admissions, my wife and I are rethinking my plan to work there. Couple that with the way they've treated me, and I think they're going to have to knock my socks off with their offer. I'm not going to hold my breath.
My third table was the large hospital where I've applied to the TICU and the CVICU. This recruiter painted a dismal picture for new grads. She was shocked to hear I'd only applied to two units, telling me I needed to have applied to at least 5. Then she said, "What we're telling new grads is, 'Do you want a job, or do you want to be unemployed?'" I had felt that this hospital was my best option, but after talking with her, I'm not so sure. She made me so nervous I went and visited the two county hospitals as well, and I came home and applied at one of them.
Nothing like a little reality check.
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