Taking A Step Back?

I've just re-read my last blog and though I didn't seem confident that I'd get the job, it appears that I was expecting an interview, which I didn't realise at the time of writing, but I kinda was expecting to get interviewed...yet I don't even get that. I have no idea what I've done wrong to not even get an interview at least:

1. Have experience of being on the ward. Check.
2. Advert asking for NQ nurses. Check.
3. More than one job available. Check.
4. Made a good impression (according to the ward sister, charge nurse and other staff.) Check.
5. Have a good knowledge of the ward and procedures. Check.
6. Made sure my 'Supporting Information' bit fitted all job description criteria. Check.
7. Got it in in plenty of time AND recieved confirmation email to say they'd got it. Check.

I literally cannot think of anymore that I could have done to improve my chances of at least an interview. I'm annoyed, upset, frustrated, but above all, losing hope and confidence. I really thought that I'd have got a job by now. I mean, I knew it'd be hard, but I didn't think it would be this soul destroying.

Oh well. Least I'm still trying (just about...). There were 2 paeds nursing job advertised on the NHS site today, of which I've applied. It's like buses, none for weeks then two on the same day. One is on the ward I did my management on, but I know there is a nurse who works full time on the bank there and is waiting for a permanent position to come up, so I'm not building my hopes up. Look at my last blog, I was so excited and happy and felt 'this was it' but look how far I got! Lesson learnt, I'm not allowing myself to hope. Well ok, maybe just a teeny weensy tiny little bit - after all what is life without hope?

In other news, I've found this fantastic charity website called 'Post Pals' it is an organisation which helps put a smile on the faces of children in hospital, by a simple letter or gift. The website is HERE and anyone that reads this blog, it'd be so fab if you could take the time to write a letter. I know from experience of being on the wards that many kids get bored, especially the early teens, so a letter could really make their day! I'm going to send a few :)

Anyway, that's all for now, still hoping and still trying. I really hope something good happens.

Most Perfect Job in the Whole Wide World

I was looking on the NHS side, as I do, generally 4ish times daily, and I came across an advert which not only asked for NEWLY QUALIFIED nurses, but there were TWO full time jobs. Also I have been on the ward before.

Not only have I been on the ward before, I bloody loved it. Those of you who have read my blog since day one, will recall my first ever placement. This is the same ward. I loved that placement so much. I literally wanted to stay there forever. I LOVED IT!!!

I haven't got an interview yet, it got put online the 7th, I saw it straightaway, closing date 14th, interview date 30th.

My whole theories of it's not what you know, it's who you know and people who are 'insiders' hold more chance are coming into play. I loved that ward, I made a good enough impression my mentor told me she'd give me a job (she's on the sick now from what I've been told...), I saw people from that ward all through my training and they still remembered my name, even when I was working on other ward...this is the ward I truly totally fell head over heels in love with nursing. The other student nurses I was with on placement didn't like the ward, for some reason, but I loved it. I loved the ward, and it was the ward in which I compared every other placement against. I love this ward and would never dream of ever getting a job on it.

I don't have an interview yet, closing date is not here BUT if I can take into account the fact I was on placement here, made a good impression according to tutors, nurses on other wards, doctors...I should hopefully get an interview. If I were to get an interview, but was not offered the job, I think that would be it in terms of getting a nursing job. If I got an interview on a ward I loved, made a good impression, everyone knew me...blah blah blah...and I didn't get one of the jobs, then I think I would be too devastated to go on with this nursing thing. One of the girls on my course got offered a job on this ward from a trust wide interview, at the start of the year, despite her not working there before, well she did...kinda....it's a surgical ward and she was on the surgical day ward, but took 15 of the 18 shifts in the placement off sick...so if she can do it, anyone can...no?

I want this job more than anything. I know the ward, I know the conditions, I know the procedures, I know the staff and they know me, I know that I would love it.

If I don't get it, I really will fall apart, for I really can't see any reason why I don't stand a good enough chance? That's not to sound big headed, those who know me know I am not arrogant, far from it, but I mean, I can't understand what would prevent me from making a good enough case to give me one of the jobs?

PLEASE I want an interview and I want this job more than anything I have ever wanted.

Surprise Surprise

I didn't get the job. What a surprise. Or not. It went to someone who worked bank on the ward. I got good feedback, the interviewer said I interviewed well, answered questions fully, appeared confident and that she noticed that I'd done my research into this area of nursing, however, I did not have any experience in that area of nursing, even though she could tell I tried to tie in relevant experience to fit in with that ward. For example, I did a placement on a day surgery unit and the interview was for a day surgery unit, but ENT as opposed to general day surgery, so whilst I could talk about procedures, protocols, things like that which are all very relevant...I hadn't worked on an ENT ward so simply didn't have the experience.

Now I'm sure I've asked this question before, but, if specific experience is an 'essential requirement' in the job description, then surely it makes sense not to offer someone without it, an interview? As it stands for this job, it was under the 'desirable requirements' but even so, if that is what is going to prevent me from getting the job, why put me through the stress of an interview? I'm not having a go at the interviewer as I'm sure it wasn't her fault, but it's clear that sometimes the job already has someone's name on it, and they must just get extra people to interview to fill their quota? Basically, I didn't stand a chance before I even got through the door.

This makes me so annoyed. I've got friends who have done both adult and mental health nursing, and the majority have had no problem finding jobs, which is excellent, and I really am happy for them :) It's just child branch that are having trouble, whether it's because two hospitals have recently merged, or because they need nurses with experience as a qualified, or simply because us newly qualifieds are rubbish (!) but whatever it is, it's utterly depressing. From my course, there is only me and one other who hasn't got a job yet, out of 7 on the course (though one was seconded and so had a job ready to walk back into) that doesn't sound too bad, but I've heard the other courses (March & September) are having the same problems I'm having.

Ah well. What can you do? I think this has been the 6th rejection, it's getting expected now, water off a ducks back! I'll have a cry, get some sleep then pull myself into a positive mood and try again. I don't even think I'd take it so badly if I had a job, any job, so at least I had some money coming in! As it stands I can't even get a care assistant/shop assistant/admin/working with kids job or anything! I think people see the nursing qualification and know as soon as I get a nurse job, I'll be away, so over look my application. I've decided to take my nursing bit off my CV, then at least I might get any kind of job!

Anyway, there are plenty worse off, just gotta keep smiling :)

It's Late and I'm Let Down

I know it's after half 4 in the morning, but I can't sleep and might as well blog.

I'm feeling so let down :(

Got an email this morning saying that 'due to unforseen circumstances' interview has been cancelled. Just my luck. Sods Law. Makes you feel like giving up.

I'm lucky I have the friends that I do, they make me smile. I went to see Harry Potter today (well...being 4.40am...yesterday) and my tears weren't just for the final ever part of Harry Potter, though most were, but I got the email just before I left to go to the cinema, so was feeling really shitty and took the chance to just have a good cry.

Oh well. Can't do anything about it. Must try to sleep now xxx

Politics

So, today I went for a look around the ward I have an interview for as I've been told, it gives you more a feel for things and makes you less nervous about interview - which for me would be a good thing!

The ward is fantastic, it's really old fashioned, you know, cartoon paintings on the wall, tiled floors, high ceilings - fantastic. The staff seem really friendly and it seems almost an identical kind of ward to one I've already done a placement on, and loved, so all in all, it's an absolutely perfect first job and if I were to be offered it, to say I would be over the moon would be the biggest understatement ever! It would beat the feeling of winning the £166 million rollover Euro lottery, not that I won that (!) but I can imagine how good that would feel, and this would be even better.

But. And there is always a 'but', the ward is so short staffed, they have the same members of bank staff regularly working full time hours, and of course and understandably the way the work climate is today, they too have applied for the job as it is a permanent position. So it's really a case of either the people at the interview giving the job to someone they know, has worked on the ward, is not a newly qualified nurse and will not take long for the CRB and all the checks to come through versus them taking on someone they don't know, who is newly qualified and needs all the paperwork completed. Hmmm, seems like there is only one choice really, doesn't it?

I guess I will think positive thoughts whilst also wishing for a miracle!

Graduate...

I was meant to graduate today, however could not afford to hire my gown (seriously - almost 50 quid?!) so did not attend.

Whilst it is a shame, itt can't be helped and as I've already done the whole graduation malarky before, it doesn't seem a big deal. Everyone that did go had a nice day so that's the main thing. Only one person in my child branch went, which seems a bit of a let down, but as we're all graduates I think that is why. Also, if we choose to carry on a complete the MSc which is only something like 20 more credits, that'll mean yet another ceremony. Personally I don't plan to go for the MSc, I just want to be a nurse...if someone will hire me! Ahh well, going to look round the ward tomorrow so fingers crossed, I make a good enough impression before interview!

Cautious...but excited

I've got an interview! WOO HOO!

I've never done a placement on that ward, let alone that hospital, it's not ideal in terms of getting there, there are probably loads of better people getting interviewed BUT I'm so happy I've been given an interview, I just really really want someone to give me a chance.

It's in a few weeks, I'm going to read up about the area and I'm going to visit the ward to get a feel for things, other than that I'm going to try not to stress and keep everything crossed! :)