The (hospital) job search has continued to be a bumpy road. About a month ago, I nailed an interview for a dream job: New Graduate RN position at the Swedish Cherry Hill Emergency Department. A few days later I got the nicest rejection letter one can get! The manager had chosen a candidate who had worked at that ED for 5 years as an ED Tech, but he wished he had another position for me. I absolutely couldn’t compete with that, and it was a huge disappointment.
A couple weeks after that I met with the manager again to discuss my job search, and future new grad openings. More disappointing news: Swedish Medical Center managers were told to hold off on hiring new grads until October, when a large cohort “residency” would be offered.
October?? No Swedish opportunities until October??
Luckily I already had an interview lined up for a similar Swedish residency that starts mid-July. I had that interview last week, and it was the manager’s last interview of seven. Knowing this was probably my last chance at a Swedish hospital position until October, I was prepared to nail my interview like I did the last one. In order to pull off a great interview though, you need the interviewer to also be engaged and interested. My interviewer seemed to be “going through the paces”… not giving me much time to answer questions, not really taking notes, and preoccupied with the iphone. I knew it was bad when at the end of the interview, she asked me if I had my license, and this was after we had thoroughly discussed the home healthcare RN job listed on my resume. Needless to say, I didn’t get the position. I don’t think I would have been happy working for her anyway…
After a day of tears and despair, I began brainstorming other ideas. Military nursing, EMT certification, and moving to a new city or state are all being considered. I am nearing the 6 month mark of having my RN license, and I still don’t have a job in acute care. For the first time, I regretted moving to Washington State. : ( Most of my friends from school who stuck around DC have jobs, and some have their dream job – straight out of school.
Yesterday, a new grad position at Swedish First Hill’s Labor and Delivery unit was posted! I applied, but I’m concerned that I will be moved to the bottom of the pile since my senior internship was not in L&D. I emailed the recruiter who wrote me the nice rejection letter and she forwarded my note, along with her “recommendation” to the recruiters working on the position. Now I just pray for that phone call…
I like to think that everything that happens to me all represents little rock cairns, guiding my direction. Maybe I wasn’t meant to be an ER nurse? Maybe I’m meant to be an L&D nurse, or maybe even a nurse midwife? Thinking of each disappointment as providing direction to how things were meant to go makes me feel better. But it doesn’t take away the anxiety about whether this position is indeed the one I’m waiting for.
This post needs a photo. hmm… who else but Colby? He’s 40 pounds now, by the way, and he’s getting some big boy teeth (see them in the photo below)!
"Where we goin?"
Michelle- You will eventually get a job. Working in different areas will give you the chance to discover which area IS your passion. One of the advantages of a nursing degree is the wide variety of job opportunities it opens for you. Is there any way you could volunteer at the hospital you are interested in? Hope you hear something soon-Aunt Shelle