Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Yet another rejection

I'm nearing 6 months post graduation. I recently had an interview at the hospital that I precepted at on the same floor that I precepted at. I figured my connections at the hospital would help me. I also figured my knowledge of the way the hospital functioned and the fact that I gained 178 hours of experience working there. Of course, life doesn't work that way...it never does.

I totally kissed butt. I sent the director a Thank You card for allowing me the opportunity to interview. I called her today as I had promised I would to follow-up. My luck is fantastic....she didn't answer, she wasn't in the office today...someone else was...some new manager. Perhaps I was stupid for doing this, but I told her I was calling to follow-up on the interview that I had the previous week. She tells me she'll call me back and indeed she did, in just 2 minutes. Pretty quick. Only to tell me that "someone from within had been hired."

My initial reaction was to fall into tears (yes, I'm a big baby). And then, I kissed more butt. I sent the director yet another thank you letter. I emailed her saying that "I was informed by "jill" that I had not been selected for the position. Nonetheless, I would like to thank you for giving me an opportunity to be interviewed. Also, if there are any suggestions that you would have on how I can improve my interview skills, I would love to hear them." I've worked a few jobs here and there....never have I ever had to kiss butt....I'll tell you, its damaging to the ego.

Of course, I cried my eyes out with my parents, telling them I feel like I wasted two years of my life in Nursing school. They continue to encourage me and ensuring me that "things will pick up" besides "its just the economy" and "you're not the only one who doesn't have a job." All this is true, but no one told me I should be prepared to face this. All through nursing school it was nothing but encouragement and false promises of cushy jobs...I feel so lied to.

What's worse than all of this is having to constantly hear about some Nursing shortage that is still growing. WHAT SHORTAGE??? I can name at least 70 people who would fill your vacancy!! And as if that wasn't enough to deal with, every time my friends hear that I don't have a job I have the pleasure of hearing "You're a nurse and can't get a job??" URGH.