Employed

Yep, that's right. I finally found a job. The job hunt has been something of a trying process to say the least, but I am so excited to start on as the newest Internal Medicine RN at the Christie Clinic next week.

The job hunt started with me passing the NCLEX. Whew. So glad to have that behind me.

Then, I had to go through this long and rather tedious process of applying for licensure in Illinois. This included a lot of paperwork, fingerprinting, making phone calls, writing checks, post-office visits, getting transcripts, talking with the Utah Department of Licensing, not getting clear directions, driving to Salt Lake multiple times unnecessarily, calling the Illinois Department of Licensing, and being placed on hold for almost an hour, more paperwork...and it goes on. I finally received my license in the mail about a week before we left: just in time

A couple days were spent refining, scanning, and perfecting my portfolio

I started searching for jobs about a month before we left Utah, a process that only intensified once we reached our new home. I spent hours and hours filling out online applications for every hospital/clinic/nursing home that I could find within an hour radius of our home (which is A LOT...trust me).

I then spent several days getting all dressed up to visit these hospitals to talk with nurse managers and human resource staff, only to find them in meetings or away from the office. I got in some questions where I could attempting to get the inside scoop, handed out resumes, tried to make a good impression, but usually was told in return to apply online and my application would be reviewed.

I eventually had developed a collection of business cards, which I didn't hesitate to use. I emailed and called to ask more questions or to follow up on an application I submitted. Yes, I was that annoying applicant, but I figure the squeaky wheel usually gets the grease.

I talked with everyone in my ward that I knew was a nurse, doctor, or had any connection to a medical professional and received several recommendations, phone numbers, business cards and other connections which I greatly appreciated and used. (everyone in my ward was so eager and willing to help me when they found out I was searching for an RN job. I love my ward)

I soon became frustrated when after almost 2 months of searching and applying, I hadn't even been called in for a single interview. I had received, however, several generic rejection emails stating that they had chosen other applicants whose qualifications more closely fit the needs of the company. The worst part is though, that they didn't actually hire someone else for those positions, because the job would be re-posted online a few days after I received those emails. Blah.

I have always been told that as a nurse I will be able to find a job anywhere I go, that nurses are always needed. While this is true in part, the job market for new nursing graduates is really bad right now. Nurses are not completely immune to changes in the economy as much as I wish that they were.

Isaac and I had been praying really hard that we could find something that would fit our needs and we have been putting a lot of faith in the Lord that he will take care of us and help me to get a job. Well I am here to say that the Lord is aware of us, does hear our prayers, and has a plan for each of us--even if it isn't what we think that plan will be.

Finally, about a week ago, I called to check on my application status at the Clinic, and I was invited to come interview. I was so nervous and spent an hour on the phone with my dad reviewing interview questions that they could ask and discussing appropriate responses. I am glad that I have such an awesome Dad who will sit on the phone with me for so long to do that. The interview was almost 2 hours long, so I took that as a good sign. I met with Human Resources, then I was sent to the clinic and met with several nurse managers, then they had me meet all the doctors in the clinic.

I was offered the position the following work day. That same day I received a call to interview at a local hospital, but they couldn't fit me in until the following week. The clinic needed a decision before I could interview at the hospital. I had a difficult decision to make. After much prayer and discussion with Isaac, my family, and previous professors and mentors, I chose to take the job I was offered---for several reasons which I will not go into in detail here. The few days following that decision I received 3-4 phone calls from different hospitals and nursing homes in the area inviting me to come in to interview. I am not sure why it all came about at the same time, or what exactly that means, but I am sticking with my decision to work at the clinic. I prayed about it, felt good about it, and gave them my word that I would work there.

It is not exactly the job that I thought that I would have as a nurse. I had envisioned myself working nights, 12 hour shifts in a hospital in a pediatric, med-surg, or cardiac floor. In stark contrast, my job entails mostly phone work including triaging, patient teaching, medication counseling, lab reporting, etc. I will work closely with several doctors occasionally assisting with procedures as needed, but this position will have very limited hands-on work, it will be primarily phone and paperwork. I am a little worried about losing some of my hands-on nursing skills, but my teachers assure me that I can pick those back up again quickly. I do however, get my own desk area that I can decorate with photos etc, and you really can't beat the hours that I will be working (8-5 monday-friday, which means that I get to see Isaac still--wahoo!) I am sure that there is so much to learn at this new position and I am a little nervous, but very excited to begin my first nursing job. (and my first job that pays more than minimum wage:)

I am so grateful that I have a loving Heavenly Father who is aware of me, and provides for my needs as i am faithful. Life is certainly unpredictable, but it is also so very good.