I finally pushed through and ran 30 minutes at a 10 minute pace/6 mph. 2 minute warm-up, 5 minute cool-down, 3.4 miles, 676 "calories" burned.
Oh, and 252.0 lbs.
Friday, October 8, 2010
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.
More Thoughts From the Treadmill
It occurred to me if my sweat drenched t-shirt continues to rub the skin off my nipples every time I run, I may soon develop nipple calluses.
As sexy as that sounds, one has to wonder if nipple calluses aren't a risk factor for some super rare transformational nipple tumor...
As sexy as that sounds, one has to wonder if nipple calluses aren't a risk factor for some super rare transformational nipple tumor...
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.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Blew Up Like a Balloon
In weekly weight loss news, my new weight is 256.2. It's only 1 pound of weight loss for the week, but I had slipped back up to 261, so all in all, I'm happy.
My guess is that my Date Night meal did not live up to the advertised caloric content. It seemed like an awful lot of food, and there seemed to be an awful lot of butter for the amount of calories they were claiming. Add to that eating out at Red Lobster on the following Sunday night with family, and my guess is the lies were doubled. I'm guessing that's how I ballooned up 4 pounds from last week's weigh in.
But hard work prevails, and I'm down another pound, net. So really do I count that as 5 pounds in a week?
And I'm never eating out again. Stinkin' liars. Don't they know I'm trying to lose weight here!?
In other news, my new goal calorie expenditures for my workouts is over 600. Previously it had been 400. The treadmills we use calculate calories expended based on weight and the speed of workout. Who knows if it's even close to accurate, but all I know is I'm whipped after spending 600 "calories", so it seems appropriate.
This week I missed a workout on Wednesday because of the recruiting dinner, so I worked out Thursday instead. Then Friday was my regular day, and I was supposed to work out tonight, but I'll put that off until tomorrow. Then I start my new week on Monday. It's surprising how much missing just one workout makes things wonky. Makes me have to work out consecutive days--I keep running out of days.
My classmates keep asking how I possibly have time to be hitting the gym 4 times a week. I tell them that I've just made it a priority. Makes me laugh some of these young kids I go to school with. They don't work, they live at home with their parents, no kids, no marriage, all they have to do is go to school and study. Yet they're the ones that seem to be running behind and constantly complaining how busy they are. I don't get it.
Oh to be saddled with so little responsibility...
My guess is that my Date Night meal did not live up to the advertised caloric content. It seemed like an awful lot of food, and there seemed to be an awful lot of butter for the amount of calories they were claiming. Add to that eating out at Red Lobster on the following Sunday night with family, and my guess is the lies were doubled. I'm guessing that's how I ballooned up 4 pounds from last week's weigh in.
But hard work prevails, and I'm down another pound, net. So really do I count that as 5 pounds in a week?
And I'm never eating out again. Stinkin' liars. Don't they know I'm trying to lose weight here!?
In other news, my new goal calorie expenditures for my workouts is over 600. Previously it had been 400. The treadmills we use calculate calories expended based on weight and the speed of workout. Who knows if it's even close to accurate, but all I know is I'm whipped after spending 600 "calories", so it seems appropriate.
This week I missed a workout on Wednesday because of the recruiting dinner, so I worked out Thursday instead. Then Friday was my regular day, and I was supposed to work out tonight, but I'll put that off until tomorrow. Then I start my new week on Monday. It's surprising how much missing just one workout makes things wonky. Makes me have to work out consecutive days--I keep running out of days.
My classmates keep asking how I possibly have time to be hitting the gym 4 times a week. I tell them that I've just made it a priority. Makes me laugh some of these young kids I go to school with. They don't work, they live at home with their parents, no kids, no marriage, all they have to do is go to school and study. Yet they're the ones that seem to be running behind and constantly complaining how busy they are. I don't get it.
Oh to be saddled with so little responsibility...
Friday, October 1, 2010
Second Round Away
Two hospitals I'm interested in were supposed to post positions today. One actually did, which is pretty good considering the job postings are under the direct control of the Dark Side HR department.
So I spent a few minutes filling out the online application, uploaded my super-duper resume, and clicked submit.
Now I've submitted to two of the three hospitals I'm interested in outside of the hospital where I currently work. Of course the one I lack is the Amazing Children's Hospital where I want to work the most of all.
Work still hasn't posted their internship I hope because my manager has taken pity on me, but I still feel that dark cloud of anxiety hanging over me. I've applied elsewhere--which is progress--but I hold no illusions over how quickly, or rather how slowly, HR departments move.
On a brighter note, today I picked up a rather flattering letter of recommendation from a clinical instructor I wasn't altogether sure liked me at all. She was my critical care clinical instructor, so that's a big bonus for my apps.
Kind of a heavy duty week around here. I had a test today, 2 to come on Monday, and a chaser on Thursday. Several projects are looming as well. I work tomorrow also, so that's going to cut in on the study time. And I'm watching the kids--last night, tonight, tomorrow night, and all day on Sunday while NurseXX works or sleeps. But that's par for the course, I'll squeeze in some study on Sunday evening and let 'er rip on Monday like always.
Whee!
So I spent a few minutes filling out the online application, uploaded my super-duper resume, and clicked submit.
Now I've submitted to two of the three hospitals I'm interested in outside of the hospital where I currently work. Of course the one I lack is the Amazing Children's Hospital where I want to work the most of all.
Work still hasn't posted their internship I hope because my manager has taken pity on me, but I still feel that dark cloud of anxiety hanging over me. I've applied elsewhere--which is progress--but I hold no illusions over how quickly, or rather how slowly, HR departments move.
On a brighter note, today I picked up a rather flattering letter of recommendation from a clinical instructor I wasn't altogether sure liked me at all. She was my critical care clinical instructor, so that's a big bonus for my apps.
Kind of a heavy duty week around here. I had a test today, 2 to come on Monday, and a chaser on Thursday. Several projects are looming as well. I work tomorrow also, so that's going to cut in on the study time. And I'm watching the kids--last night, tonight, tomorrow night, and all day on Sunday while NurseXX works or sleeps. But that's par for the course, I'll squeeze in some study on Sunday evening and let 'er rip on Monday like always.
Whee!
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