to the psych-medical position.
I decided to withdraw my application from the ED for several reasons, a lot of which I won't go into here...let me just say that I didn't think I was ready for what I was going up against. And that is true: I do not have a lot of acute care medical nursing skills. Maybe in a couple of years, after I get some more medical experience, I'll try again.
I will admit that after I withdrew, I felt at peace with the decision, like a weight was off of my chest. Perhaps it wasn't meant to be right now.
So this brings me here, to psych-medical and the world's most painless interview:
Manager: Hi. Here's the scheduling requirements and the rest of the info. Any questions?
Me: No, it looks great.
Manager: You start in two weeks.
The only reason that the interview was painless was that I had essentially been interviewing with them for the last year. They've seen me and my work in action so they knew exactly what they were getting. And I also knew what I was getting into, since I have been working shifts there for the last year. The interview proper was to make sure I knew the specifics and agreed.
I was hugged by someone when they heard the news. And I've seen a few excited that I was working my two-week notice. Granted, I wasn't leaving at the end of two weeks, just becoming permanent staff. I'll take this as they're happy to have me joining them.
I'll confess: I was hoping that psych-medical would get back to me before I interviewed with the ED. The manager got my official application the day after I interviewed though...in fact, the ED manager called her to ask about me. She was relieved when I had told her that I had withdrawn.
Financially, I'm going to be making roughly the same as I am now, which was a very pleasant surprise. It actually will be a little less since I'm working just under full-time, but I also have the room to pick up an extra shift per pay period if I so chose. Benefits (a lot of which I don't need and will decline), PTO, opportunities for growth and advancement, a great working environment...it was an offer I could not refuse.
I "start" after the New Year.
My mom is out here for the holidays. It's weird not to have both parents here. It hits me at odd times and in odd ways. No one is going to provide running commentary and give me a hard time as I'm driving.
Showing posts with label job hunt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job hunt. Show all posts
December 20, 2015
December 14, 2015
The ED Interview
I'm back home. Still adjusting to a world in which my father isn't physically here anymore...it's tough.
So let me tell you about my ED interview.
I had an interview for the ED training program today. The interviewer was intrigued to see someone coming strictly from psych into emergency. I explained that while I enjoyed psych immensely, I wanted a change; I wanted a position where I could do something different yet still use psych a lot, and the ED seemed to be a good transition. I was asked the usual "how do you handle difficult..." questions, where I saw myself in 5 years, strengths and weaknesses, long-term goals...I thought I sold myself pretty well in that area.
My major strike against me is the fact that in terms of acute care medical skills, I don't have a lot of experience. So I told her about the ED nursing class I just took, my preceptorship (she knows my instructor, which is a plus amid the minus), and the fact that I learn and adapt quickly. I can't say I was as confident about my sell in that area, but let's be real: I can't (well, honestly, anyway) manufacture experience that I don't have.
She is going to call some references and let me know either way within a week or so. So at least I will be put out of my misery quickly.
I have not yet heard back on the psych-medical application.
While I'm waiting, I need to weigh the positives and negatives of the position.
Positives: new experience; diversification; gives me more career opportunities; challenging; opportunities for continuing education and cross-training; world's easiest commute; 3 12s means I can work or 2 days elsewhere.
Negatives: salary decrease as I'm going from experienced in psych to novice in ED (though the night differential will mitigate some of that); steep learning curve; will not be able to work psych at the organization as it would be OT (I could still work psych elsewhere); won't be working with a great crew anymore; despite wanting a change, I'm nervous about leaving my comfort zone.
And another negative: the other half is apprehensive.
I asked for his opinion...mind you, whatever that opinion is won't be the sole factor that determines whether I take the job. But we're a partnership and his point of view does matter to me.
He feels that I have a lot of opportunities in psych and while is supportive of whatever I want to do with my career, he is worries about the learning curve and the finances. He also thinks it's not a full-time job. I attempted to explain--several times--that I would not take a position that would not be financially feasible, that it is in fact a full-time paying position albeit at a slightly smaller rate, and that with any change in specialty there is going to be some learning curve.
But he seems unconvinced. In fact, I get the vibe from him that he rather I DIDN'T go for ED and instead stick with what I know at the better money. But what he doesn't realize--and which I just realized and need to remind him of--is that I'm making good money because I'm a per-diem. If I were to take a full-time job in psych, my rate would drop...in fact, I'd be making only $4 more than if I took the ED position. It's the shift differentials that are going to help--hence why I'm only applying for nights.
Anyhow, the discussion descended into a tiff, so things are a little tense.
*sigh*
We'll just have to see what happens. Of course, I may not even get the ED job and then there won't be any worries.
So let me tell you about my ED interview.
I had an interview for the ED training program today. The interviewer was intrigued to see someone coming strictly from psych into emergency. I explained that while I enjoyed psych immensely, I wanted a change; I wanted a position where I could do something different yet still use psych a lot, and the ED seemed to be a good transition. I was asked the usual "how do you handle difficult..." questions, where I saw myself in 5 years, strengths and weaknesses, long-term goals...I thought I sold myself pretty well in that area.
My major strike against me is the fact that in terms of acute care medical skills, I don't have a lot of experience. So I told her about the ED nursing class I just took, my preceptorship (she knows my instructor, which is a plus amid the minus), and the fact that I learn and adapt quickly. I can't say I was as confident about my sell in that area, but let's be real: I can't (well, honestly, anyway) manufacture experience that I don't have.
She is going to call some references and let me know either way within a week or so. So at least I will be put out of my misery quickly.
I have not yet heard back on the psych-medical application.
While I'm waiting, I need to weigh the positives and negatives of the position.
Positives: new experience; diversification; gives me more career opportunities; challenging; opportunities for continuing education and cross-training; world's easiest commute; 3 12s means I can work or 2 days elsewhere.
Negatives: salary decrease as I'm going from experienced in psych to novice in ED (though the night differential will mitigate some of that); steep learning curve; will not be able to work psych at the organization as it would be OT (I could still work psych elsewhere); won't be working with a great crew anymore; despite wanting a change, I'm nervous about leaving my comfort zone.
And another negative: the other half is apprehensive.
I asked for his opinion...mind you, whatever that opinion is won't be the sole factor that determines whether I take the job. But we're a partnership and his point of view does matter to me.
He feels that I have a lot of opportunities in psych and while is supportive of whatever I want to do with my career, he is worries about the learning curve and the finances. He also thinks it's not a full-time job. I attempted to explain--several times--that I would not take a position that would not be financially feasible, that it is in fact a full-time paying position albeit at a slightly smaller rate, and that with any change in specialty there is going to be some learning curve.
But he seems unconvinced. In fact, I get the vibe from him that he rather I DIDN'T go for ED and instead stick with what I know at the better money. But what he doesn't realize--and which I just realized and need to remind him of--is that I'm making good money because I'm a per-diem. If I were to take a full-time job in psych, my rate would drop...in fact, I'd be making only $4 more than if I took the ED position. It's the shift differentials that are going to help--hence why I'm only applying for nights.
Anyhow, the discussion descended into a tiff, so things are a little tense.
*sigh*
We'll just have to see what happens. Of course, I may not even get the ED job and then there won't be any worries.
November 21, 2015
Ups and Downs
Up: I have started a preceptorship in the ED...as an actual ED nurse. Not as psych liaison, not as a psych nurse providing psych care to ED patients, but as an actual ED nurse. I completed the ED course and this is the clinical component. The school was able to place me in a hospital in my organization, so that helped tremendously, since I'm familiar with the EMR and how things work in general.
It was funny. The nurses kept interrogating me about how the psych areas work. I was happy to explain, since I think EDs in general don't understand how psych units work. This is not a slur upon the ED, just that it is a different world.
Anyway, I'm two days in and so far so good. I get a different preceptor each day and both have been fantastic. I can only hope the next five will be too.
Down: Cancelled again. Which is unsettling as not only was I confirmed for work, I was specifically signed up to work to cover someone taking a day off. So whether it's because the census is down, they found another nurse to cover, or the original person took the day off, I don't know.
Down: And I hadn't worked earlier that day, so it was truly a zero hour day.
Up: Financially, I'll be OK, I think. This paycheck will have just under 64 hours, so I wonder what my take-home pay will be. Hopefully not as bad as I think, and I have made provisions for such times when I might end up short in the pay department.
Down: But you know I'm still anxious as hell about it. I like some stability in my schedule.
Down: Though the downside of stability in my schedule will be a pay cut.
Up: Which may be worth it for the stable schedule's anxiolytic effects.
Up: I started my first IV, and on my first try to! 77 year old man who was blessed with decent veins, all things given. I admit, I was the most terrified about being able to do this, since coming into this, my record involving inserting needles in veins was 0 for 1.
Up: I'm enjoying the ED so far. Mind you, the first day was pretty slow, and on the second day my patients turned not to not be high acuity. And I'm only dealing with 3 patients at a time (thank you, California ratio laws). So I know this isn't necessarily representative of the norm.
Down: I really need to review prioritization of needs. ABC and Maslow are generally accurate, but there are times when something may take a bit of a higher priority to a C. Like the possibility of brain attack.
Up: I'm considering what I can do with my new skills once I finish the preceptorship. Maybe ED, maybe Urgent Care, maybe full-time Psych-Medical.
Down: I can't really make any moves until I finish this preceptorship...so that means January.
Up and Down: I learned that when you update your resume on a career website, even if you're not actively looking, recruiters come out of the woodwork. Though not all jobs I'm being pitched are what I'm looking for.
It was funny. The nurses kept interrogating me about how the psych areas work. I was happy to explain, since I think EDs in general don't understand how psych units work. This is not a slur upon the ED, just that it is a different world.
Anyway, I'm two days in and so far so good. I get a different preceptor each day and both have been fantastic. I can only hope the next five will be too.
Down: Cancelled again. Which is unsettling as not only was I confirmed for work, I was specifically signed up to work to cover someone taking a day off. So whether it's because the census is down, they found another nurse to cover, or the original person took the day off, I don't know.
Down: And I hadn't worked earlier that day, so it was truly a zero hour day.
Up: Financially, I'll be OK, I think. This paycheck will have just under 64 hours, so I wonder what my take-home pay will be. Hopefully not as bad as I think, and I have made provisions for such times when I might end up short in the pay department.
Down: But you know I'm still anxious as hell about it. I like some stability in my schedule.
Down: Though the downside of stability in my schedule will be a pay cut.
Up: Which may be worth it for the stable schedule's anxiolytic effects.
Up: I started my first IV, and on my first try to! 77 year old man who was blessed with decent veins, all things given. I admit, I was the most terrified about being able to do this, since coming into this, my record involving inserting needles in veins was 0 for 1.
Up: I'm enjoying the ED so far. Mind you, the first day was pretty slow, and on the second day my patients turned not to not be high acuity. And I'm only dealing with 3 patients at a time (thank you, California ratio laws). So I know this isn't necessarily representative of the norm.
Down: I really need to review prioritization of needs. ABC and Maslow are generally accurate, but there are times when something may take a bit of a higher priority to a C. Like the possibility of brain attack.
Up: I'm considering what I can do with my new skills once I finish the preceptorship. Maybe ED, maybe Urgent Care, maybe full-time Psych-Medical.
Down: I can't really make any moves until I finish this preceptorship...so that means January.
Up and Down: I learned that when you update your resume on a career website, even if you're not actively looking, recruiters come out of the woodwork. Though not all jobs I'm being pitched are what I'm looking for.
November 13, 2015
"Although you have met the minimum requirements for the position, there are several other applicants who have qualifications, experience, and other relevant background that more closely fit the profile of the available position."
The e-mail arrived. I am a little disappointed, of course...but if I look at myself, my career and my skills, I suppose they are right. I am coming from a nursing area that really doesn't have a lot of--for lack of better phrasing--medical skills. It's not as though I'm a L&D or LTAC nurse switching over.
It's times like this that make me consider whether I should pursue a full-time psych-medical position.
Oh well. I'm home tonight thanks to a last-minute cancellation at work. At least I get 2 hours of pay so it's not an entire loss.
The e-mail arrived. I am a little disappointed, of course...but if I look at myself, my career and my skills, I suppose they are right. I am coming from a nursing area that really doesn't have a lot of--for lack of better phrasing--medical skills. It's not as though I'm a L&D or LTAC nurse switching over.
It's times like this that make me consider whether I should pursue a full-time psych-medical position.
Oh well. I'm home tonight thanks to a last-minute cancellation at work. At least I get 2 hours of pay so it's not an entire loss.
November 10, 2015
Strike 2
I was rejected for the 2nd new specialty position. I haven't yet received the e-mail telling me why, but I'm sure it'll be here soon. Oh well. At least they didn't leave me hanging for weeks about it...just one week.
I don't know if I'll give it a third try, as there's another position up. Or maybe I'll apply for one of the psych openings instead.
Or maybe not. I've secured enough hours at my main job until 2016, and my preceptorship is finally taking place. So maybe I'll get through both of those and then see what happens.
I don't know if I'll give it a third try, as there's another position up. Or maybe I'll apply for one of the psych openings instead.
Or maybe not. I've secured enough hours at my main job until 2016, and my preceptorship is finally taking place. So maybe I'll get through both of those and then see what happens.
November 3, 2015
Try, try again
Another new specialty position was posted, and I applied for it. Fortunately, their system lets me copy my most recent application, so I did just that, tweaked it to reflect the current posting, and fired away. I think I may be a little late--it looked like the closing date was 11/2 and today is 11/3...but what have I got to lose by trying? I did make a note on my calendar to check that organization's website weekly, so maybe I'll hit a posting on time.
There were also a few behavioral health postings there, but I'm going to wait and see what happens with this one. I'm also not going to apply for anything behavioral health until January.
The psych liaison position is very interesting. I had a good orientation, learned a lot about doing intake, and am now certified to place people on psychiatric holds...well, only at that facility, anyway. I'm not allowed to go to the local Wal-Mart and wield my new powers, no matter how much they may be needed. Anyhow, I haven't had a chance to pick up any more liaison shifts there just yet because my schedule from now to December 31st is a mess. Going to try though.
I totally forgot about the Spanish class...I have until 11/19 to finish it though, so I think I'm going to cram as much as I can, then download whatever I can so I have it for the future. I also have to start brushing up on the emergency department stuff, as the preceptorship finally has a start date of 11/18.
There were also a few behavioral health postings there, but I'm going to wait and see what happens with this one. I'm also not going to apply for anything behavioral health until January.
The psych liaison position is very interesting. I had a good orientation, learned a lot about doing intake, and am now certified to place people on psychiatric holds...well, only at that facility, anyway. I'm not allowed to go to the local Wal-Mart and wield my new powers, no matter how much they may be needed. Anyhow, I haven't had a chance to pick up any more liaison shifts there just yet because my schedule from now to December 31st is a mess. Going to try though.
I totally forgot about the Spanish class...I have until 11/19 to finish it though, so I think I'm going to cram as much as I can, then download whatever I can so I have it for the future. I also have to start brushing up on the emergency department stuff, as the preceptorship finally has a start date of 11/18.
October 15, 2015
September 30, 2015
My application status for the new specialty position remains unchanged.
Meanwhile, I've been rooting around my primary organization to see what opportunities they can offer me. Truth be told, I'd rather not leave here...in fact, I'd like this to be my permanent home. That is, if I can find a position that is financially feasible and professionally satisfying. My second choice is to find a permanent position elsewhere that is 3 days a week, and then pick up 2 days as a per-diem here.
So here at my primary organization...
I'm being wooed to go permanent at the temporary position I'm working, or at least transfer to being a per-diem there. I would, except that it's outpatient. I really want to go back inpatient, plus I don't get shift differentials for outpatient so financially, it would be tight. There's also no guarantee of 40 hours...mind you, I could probably pick up a few inpatient shifts here and there. But I also don't really want to work 6 or even all 7 days a week.
I'm also being wooed to go evenings inpatient. While I love evening shift, it's very hard to work them with a school-age little one. Full-time evenings means I'd almost never see him during the week. So while this isn't a top choice, it's a good safety net, especially since evening shift is the hardest of all to staff: there's plenty of availability.
I started picking up several inpatient shifts at the medical hospital, mostly nights and the odd evening. Of all the facilities my organization has, I like this one the best. I'm patiently waiting for a night position to open up there. Or an evening/night mix.
I've been offered the opportunity to orient as a liaison in the emergency department I'll get to evaluate ED patients to see if they meet criteria for psychiatric holds and/or admission. That starts in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to see what particular things I should brush up on. My having taken that emergency nursing class will also be a help here, as I'll know more about whether they are medically stable enough for the psych unit.
Meanwhile, I've been rooting around my primary organization to see what opportunities they can offer me. Truth be told, I'd rather not leave here...in fact, I'd like this to be my permanent home. That is, if I can find a position that is financially feasible and professionally satisfying. My second choice is to find a permanent position elsewhere that is 3 days a week, and then pick up 2 days as a per-diem here.
So here at my primary organization...
I'm being wooed to go permanent at the temporary position I'm working, or at least transfer to being a per-diem there. I would, except that it's outpatient. I really want to go back inpatient, plus I don't get shift differentials for outpatient so financially, it would be tight. There's also no guarantee of 40 hours...mind you, I could probably pick up a few inpatient shifts here and there. But I also don't really want to work 6 or even all 7 days a week.
I'm also being wooed to go evenings inpatient. While I love evening shift, it's very hard to work them with a school-age little one. Full-time evenings means I'd almost never see him during the week. So while this isn't a top choice, it's a good safety net, especially since evening shift is the hardest of all to staff: there's plenty of availability.
I started picking up several inpatient shifts at the medical hospital, mostly nights and the odd evening. Of all the facilities my organization has, I like this one the best. I'm patiently waiting for a night position to open up there. Or an evening/night mix.
I've been offered the opportunity to orient as a liaison in the emergency department I'll get to evaluate ED patients to see if they meet criteria for psychiatric holds and/or admission. That starts in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to see what particular things I should brush up on. My having taken that emergency nursing class will also be a help here, as I'll know more about whether they are medically stable enough for the psych unit.
September 24, 2015
It kind of reminds me of the new grad job search...only with less desperation
"Your application has been forwarded to the hiring manager for this position. Upon review, if you are determined to be a good match, the hiring manager for this position may contact you directly (by email or phone) to schedule a phone interview and/or an on-site interview. Depending upon the department, this process may take several weeks."
At least I'm checking the hospital's career website only daily, instead of multiple times a day like I was when I was on the new grad job hunt. It does help that I'm several years' more experienced in both nursing and job hunting, and I know and understand that the wheels of HR turn slow. And it helps that I am currently working, because there's less of a desperate push to jump at anything that I get.
The wording of the above message hasn't changed at all. Some things just don't change.
At least I'm checking the hospital's career website only daily, instead of multiple times a day like I was when I was on the new grad job hunt. It does help that I'm several years' more experienced in both nursing and job hunting, and I know and understand that the wheels of HR turn slow. And it helps that I am currently working, because there's less of a desperate push to jump at anything that I get.
The wording of the above message hasn't changed at all. Some things just don't change.
September 22, 2015
The saga begins...
I applied for a permanent position. It was not at any of my current facilities, but an entirely different facility. And I didn't apply for a psych position, but instead for a new specialty training program. The training would be in med-surg and tele. It's 3 12s, which would let me keep my position at Job #1 a per-diem basis. It's also nights, which is perfect.
So I brushed up the resume, wrote a great cover letter, and applied online.
I don't know what my chances are...apparently the position has been up for a while, so who knows if there are multiple positions, if it/they have been filled already, or if it's just a resume collector. It's also a union facility, so internal hires get first dibs. Still, I did get into a hardcore union facility before...it'll just be tougher this time as I don't have anyone on the inside to vouch for me.
We'll see what happens.
Meanwhile, I signed up for a Spanish for Healthcare Providers class. Lately I've been assigned to a Spanish-speaking patient. Surprisingly, I manage all right: I can't really speak Spanish, and I don't understand every word the patient says, but I catch enough of them to have an idea of what's going on...some of the time.
So I brushed up the resume, wrote a great cover letter, and applied online.
I don't know what my chances are...apparently the position has been up for a while, so who knows if there are multiple positions, if it/they have been filled already, or if it's just a resume collector. It's also a union facility, so internal hires get first dibs. Still, I did get into a hardcore union facility before...it'll just be tougher this time as I don't have anyone on the inside to vouch for me.
We'll see what happens.
Meanwhile, I signed up for a Spanish for Healthcare Providers class. Lately I've been assigned to a Spanish-speaking patient. Surprisingly, I manage all right: I can't really speak Spanish, and I don't understand every word the patient says, but I catch enough of them to have an idea of what's going on...some of the time.
August 16, 2014
Mouth, God, Ear
It's been a long week. Job #3 was quite the trial-by-fire because it was the first time I worked solo. The first two days were very rough and I felt overwhelmed, but I persevered and pushed forward. By the last day of the assignment, I felt like an old hand...or at least comfortable enough to go back and do it again. It was enjoyable work though...I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. But it's a great work environment with wonderful people who are positive and supportive.
Anyhow...
Monday, I check my e-mail and see a notice about the psych ED job that I applied for. My application has passed the first round and is now being forwarded to the hiring manager. OK, I'm pleasantly surprised. And got very excited when I received a phone call later in the day. Alas, it turned out to be a utility company asking me a question, and I'm sure I sounded very disappointed. But hey, I'm in the running.
Then Thursday, I check my e-mail again...and received this from the person at Job #1 who is apparently going to be my new supervisor:
"Hi Meriwhen, this is XYZ. Your transfer was approved, what scheduling track would you like, what date should this be effective and when can you come and sign the paperwork?"
Whoa.
I've gone from hearing crickets chirping for nearly two months to signing paperwork, all in the space of the 2 minutes it took to read the e-mail. I figured I'd be called in for interviews (I had the last time I tried to apply for a transfer), or at least have someone talk to me on the phone. Guess they found out whatever they wanted to from my resume and from people at Job #1.
I wrote back accepting the transfer and providing all the details requested. I then spent all of Thursday and Friday dealing with a flurry of e-mails, more than enough to make up for those two months of crickets. I go in on Monday to sign the paperwork, and my transfer takes place next month after I finish up a couple of vacation coverage assignments.
It's still a little surreal.
Anyhow...
Monday, I check my e-mail and see a notice about the psych ED job that I applied for. My application has passed the first round and is now being forwarded to the hiring manager. OK, I'm pleasantly surprised. And got very excited when I received a phone call later in the day. Alas, it turned out to be a utility company asking me a question, and I'm sure I sounded very disappointed. But hey, I'm in the running.
Then Thursday, I check my e-mail again...and received this from the person at Job #1 who is apparently going to be my new supervisor:
"Hi Meriwhen, this is XYZ. Your transfer was approved, what scheduling track would you like, what date should this be effective and when can you come and sign the paperwork?"
Whoa.
I've gone from hearing crickets chirping for nearly two months to signing paperwork, all in the space of the 2 minutes it took to read the e-mail. I figured I'd be called in for interviews (I had the last time I tried to apply for a transfer), or at least have someone talk to me on the phone. Guess they found out whatever they wanted to from my resume and from people at Job #1.
I wrote back accepting the transfer and providing all the details requested. I then spent all of Thursday and Friday dealing with a flurry of e-mails, more than enough to make up for those two months of crickets. I go in on Monday to sign the paperwork, and my transfer takes place next month after I finish up a couple of vacation coverage assignments.
It's still a little surreal.
August 10, 2014
Job vs Money
Still nothing on either the transfer for new application front. I am reading this as "Sorry but No" and moving on. Should I get a call or e-mail down the road, I'll be pleasantly surprised. But I can't invest any more emotional energy into it.
At the forum, I along with many others advised a new grad not to try and negotiate for a higher salary but to accept what they were being offered and save the haggling for when they are an experienced nurse. And that's pretty much what a new grad needs to do because the first job shouldn't really be about making the most bank, as it should be about getting through the first year of nursing and laying down the foundation of one's nursing career.
I know that not everyone is in an ideal position to just take whatever salary they are offered. Creditors and bills don't care that you're doing the job more for the experience: they just want payment when due. So some people do have to angle for a certain salary level. I have been fortunate in that when I started as a new grad, I had the freedom to accept a job offer regardless of the salary that was offered. Ironically, the offer I accepted as a new grad in psych paid a few dollars more than the new grad positions at the major medical hospitals. Point being, getting the most dollars per hour was the least of my concerns.
But that will soon be changing.
As the other half will be going to a guaranteed but considerably reduced income, I will become the primary breadwinner. I worked out the budget and expenses to the nth degree, and have determine what take-home salary I will need to make in order for us to stay afloat. By "stay afloat" I mean for us to maintain a comparable lifestyle--though with some corners cut and fat trimmed--and still put away a good amount in savings and retirement.
Then I did the math to determine what hourly salary (based on a 5 day/40-hour work week) that I need to achieve in order to meet this. I keep this number in mind as I look at permanent positions. I don't need to make as high of a salary as possible: I just need to meet or exceed this number. I would prefer not to exceed 5 days/40 hours a week, though in a pinch I can always pick up an extra day every now and then.
This is a shame because this means a lot of potential job opportunities are out of the running because the hourly rate won't cut it. For example, for all the headaches that Job #2 can give me, I do enjoy the site that they send me to, as well as the people who work there. It's a wealth of acute care psych experience that I wouldn't find at a lot of other places. But I asked one of their nurses what she was making per hour, and she told me what it was, what the diffs were, and what the max hourly salary was. And that number is too low. If--IF--I got the max hourly rate and worked nights, it would just be possible. And being that I'd already be getting the max salary, there may not be a lot of room for income growth.
I could stay as I am--the three per-diem jobs--and try to make it work that way. It does seem like it could work. I mean, I'm working 4, 5, sometimes 6 days a week. In fact, provided I don't get cancelled anywhere, tomorrow I will be starting a stretch of 12 days in a row. I know, I'm masochistic.
But I don't always work a full 8 hour day, and where I usually get the full 8 hour days is either at Job #2 with the lowest hourly rate, or Job #3 with the highest hourly rate but the least frequent offerings. Plus being per-diem/agency, none of those hours at any of the three jobs are guaranteed--I'd be a fool to base my livelihood on it. Though I may take a couple of months to see if I could scrounge up 40 hours each week and what the income would be.
It's probable that I could eventually transition into an full-time outpatient position at Job #1. There's at least two nurses on the verge of retirement and one that I know is looking at other options, so it wouldn't be very long. And I know that they'd love to have me, as I've been told my management. The hourly rate I would get based on my experience would be just at that magic number so it would work.
To be honest, I'd rather work inpatient because that's what I enjoy the most. I haven't finished learning and growing from there. But as I said before, creditors and bills don't care about my interests--they only care that payment is remitted to them in a timely manner. And soon that will have to be my priority, at least for a few years.
At the forum, I along with many others advised a new grad not to try and negotiate for a higher salary but to accept what they were being offered and save the haggling for when they are an experienced nurse. And that's pretty much what a new grad needs to do because the first job shouldn't really be about making the most bank, as it should be about getting through the first year of nursing and laying down the foundation of one's nursing career.
I know that not everyone is in an ideal position to just take whatever salary they are offered. Creditors and bills don't care that you're doing the job more for the experience: they just want payment when due. So some people do have to angle for a certain salary level. I have been fortunate in that when I started as a new grad, I had the freedom to accept a job offer regardless of the salary that was offered. Ironically, the offer I accepted as a new grad in psych paid a few dollars more than the new grad positions at the major medical hospitals. Point being, getting the most dollars per hour was the least of my concerns.
But that will soon be changing.
As the other half will be going to a guaranteed but considerably reduced income, I will become the primary breadwinner. I worked out the budget and expenses to the nth degree, and have determine what take-home salary I will need to make in order for us to stay afloat. By "stay afloat" I mean for us to maintain a comparable lifestyle--though with some corners cut and fat trimmed--and still put away a good amount in savings and retirement.
Then I did the math to determine what hourly salary (based on a 5 day/40-hour work week) that I need to achieve in order to meet this. I keep this number in mind as I look at permanent positions. I don't need to make as high of a salary as possible: I just need to meet or exceed this number. I would prefer not to exceed 5 days/40 hours a week, though in a pinch I can always pick up an extra day every now and then.
This is a shame because this means a lot of potential job opportunities are out of the running because the hourly rate won't cut it. For example, for all the headaches that Job #2 can give me, I do enjoy the site that they send me to, as well as the people who work there. It's a wealth of acute care psych experience that I wouldn't find at a lot of other places. But I asked one of their nurses what she was making per hour, and she told me what it was, what the diffs were, and what the max hourly salary was. And that number is too low. If--IF--I got the max hourly rate and worked nights, it would just be possible. And being that I'd already be getting the max salary, there may not be a lot of room for income growth.
I could stay as I am--the three per-diem jobs--and try to make it work that way. It does seem like it could work. I mean, I'm working 4, 5, sometimes 6 days a week. In fact, provided I don't get cancelled anywhere, tomorrow I will be starting a stretch of 12 days in a row. I know, I'm masochistic.
But I don't always work a full 8 hour day, and where I usually get the full 8 hour days is either at Job #2 with the lowest hourly rate, or Job #3 with the highest hourly rate but the least frequent offerings. Plus being per-diem/agency, none of those hours at any of the three jobs are guaranteed--I'd be a fool to base my livelihood on it. Though I may take a couple of months to see if I could scrounge up 40 hours each week and what the income would be.
It's probable that I could eventually transition into an full-time outpatient position at Job #1. There's at least two nurses on the verge of retirement and one that I know is looking at other options, so it wouldn't be very long. And I know that they'd love to have me, as I've been told my management. The hourly rate I would get based on my experience would be just at that magic number so it would work.
To be honest, I'd rather work inpatient because that's what I enjoy the most. I haven't finished learning and growing from there. But as I said before, creditors and bills don't care about my interests--they only care that payment is remitted to them in a timely manner. And soon that will have to be my priority, at least for a few years.
August 4, 2014
August 1, 2014
Taking charge
Vacation was nice. A week for going to the East Coast is not long enough...after we got adjusted to the time zone, weather and family routines, we had to turn around and come back to the West Coast and readjust. I learned that toddlers do not handle time zone changes very well: little one #2 kept going to bed too late while out East, and then when we got back home was waking up at 0300.
Things are back to normal now. I think the rule is that for each time zone crossed, it takes one day to recover.
Taking a break from all things work helped immensely. I did check work e-mail a couple of times, but didn't respond to anything, nor did I dwell on any work issues. I came back to the job somewhat refreshed and ready to return to work...and tackle the transfer application matter.
In an earlier post, I had learned that I have been contacting the wrong nurse recruiter about my transfer application. So I sent an e-mail to the correct recruiter asking for feedback to improve myself for the next job posting. This recruiter got back to me within an hour to tell me that she's not the one handling recruitment for this position, but it's actually my original recruiter...who also wrote me in the next hour (she was copied on the e-mail) to apologize for not getting back to me sooner. She said that the manager hiring for this position has been out of the office frequently but that my information has been forwarded to her.
Nice to finally get a response...any response.
Then I applied for a job at another facility. Spur-of-the-moment application, but the job posting came out today and I saw that it's perfect for me. Psychiatric ED. Part-time. I qualify for the position and then some. My friend works at facility #4 and loves it there--he's been hounding me to come join him. He was happy that I was applying for it. And what do I have to lose? Nothing but a few hours of working on it.
So I spent those few hours--thank goodness it was a slow day--working on my application, career testing and competency testing. I just finished the competency test...I'm nervous about that. The questions weren't psych-based but dealt with areas such as ED, ICU, post-op...so I applied everything I learned in nursing school and tempered it with what I've learned that facilities want to hear, and did my best. I'll guess I'll know soon enough.
I do realize that should I get this job, I will have to cut one or two of the other jobs loose. It will probably be job #2...and job #1. I'm a little disenchanted with job #1 as of late. They're the ones with the transfer issues and lack of timely responses from staffing. I think it may be time for me to move on, though I would wait until the end of the year so my retirement account is fully vested.
Time to go relax with a good book.
Things are back to normal now. I think the rule is that for each time zone crossed, it takes one day to recover.
Taking a break from all things work helped immensely. I did check work e-mail a couple of times, but didn't respond to anything, nor did I dwell on any work issues. I came back to the job somewhat refreshed and ready to return to work...and tackle the transfer application matter.
In an earlier post, I had learned that I have been contacting the wrong nurse recruiter about my transfer application. So I sent an e-mail to the correct recruiter asking for feedback to improve myself for the next job posting. This recruiter got back to me within an hour to tell me that she's not the one handling recruitment for this position, but it's actually my original recruiter...who also wrote me in the next hour (she was copied on the e-mail) to apologize for not getting back to me sooner. She said that the manager hiring for this position has been out of the office frequently but that my information has been forwarded to her.
Nice to finally get a response...any response.
Then I applied for a job at another facility. Spur-of-the-moment application, but the job posting came out today and I saw that it's perfect for me. Psychiatric ED. Part-time. I qualify for the position and then some. My friend works at facility #4 and loves it there--he's been hounding me to come join him. He was happy that I was applying for it. And what do I have to lose? Nothing but a few hours of working on it.
So I spent those few hours--thank goodness it was a slow day--working on my application, career testing and competency testing. I just finished the competency test...I'm nervous about that. The questions weren't psych-based but dealt with areas such as ED, ICU, post-op...so I applied everything I learned in nursing school and tempered it with what I've learned that facilities want to hear, and did my best. I'll guess I'll know soon enough.
I do realize that should I get this job, I will have to cut one or two of the other jobs loose. It will probably be job #2...and job #1. I'm a little disenchanted with job #1 as of late. They're the ones with the transfer issues and lack of timely responses from staffing. I think it may be time for me to move on, though I would wait until the end of the year so my retirement account is fully vested.
Time to go relax with a good book.
July 14, 2014
All of my admissions had substance abuse issues. I always feel comfortable handling such patients. I think chemical dependency really is my niche. I should really pursue that CARN certification...except that I'm not consistently working in a CD/dual program so I don't have the required 2,000 recent hours. Bah.
So I didn't hear anything from the nurse recruiter about my transfer application. As the job listing is still up, I'm guessing that the answer is "Sorry, but no" and they just don't have the courtesy to drop an internal applicant a note. It's a shame...I mean, not responding back to any applicant to tell them "No" is sad. It's really tragic to not even send a rejection note to an internal applicant. Especially since all they need to do to reach me is look my name up in the employee directory and click Send Mail. How much easier can that get?
It's also surprising that I haven't heard back from this nurse recruiter who happens to usually be quick to get back to me even if she has no good news.
Oh well. Upward and onward. If and when a new posting for the job appears, I'll try again. I'll resume the holding pattern for now.
Meanwhile, the manager at the program I was working at today was asking me questions out of the blue about whether I liked working per-diem, was I working anyplace else, what my plans were...I think they were trying to feel me out for something. Who knows? It really was random...then again, it was before my first cup of coffee so maybe I'm reading something into it that isn't there.
Anyhow...
I'm getting ready for a long-overdue vacation. I'm going East for a week. It's not going to be a stress-free trip--it's more like we're going back to the motherland because it's fulfilling family obligations--but it'll still be nice. Then when we return here, I have the next week off (though I did commit to one day of work). Then if I want, another week off unless I schedule myself...which is my choice, as then I'm booked at jobs #1 and #3 from mid-August through mid-September.
So I didn't hear anything from the nurse recruiter about my transfer application. As the job listing is still up, I'm guessing that the answer is "Sorry, but no" and they just don't have the courtesy to drop an internal applicant a note. It's a shame...I mean, not responding back to any applicant to tell them "No" is sad. It's really tragic to not even send a rejection note to an internal applicant. Especially since all they need to do to reach me is look my name up in the employee directory and click Send Mail. How much easier can that get?
It's also surprising that I haven't heard back from this nurse recruiter who happens to usually be quick to get back to me even if she has no good news.
Oh well. Upward and onward. If and when a new posting for the job appears, I'll try again. I'll resume the holding pattern for now.
Meanwhile, the manager at the program I was working at today was asking me questions out of the blue about whether I liked working per-diem, was I working anyplace else, what my plans were...I think they were trying to feel me out for something. Who knows? It really was random...then again, it was before my first cup of coffee so maybe I'm reading something into it that isn't there.
Anyhow...
I'm getting ready for a long-overdue vacation. I'm going East for a week. It's not going to be a stress-free trip--it's more like we're going back to the motherland because it's fulfilling family obligations--but it'll still be nice. Then when we return here, I have the next week off (though I did commit to one day of work). Then if I want, another week off unless I schedule myself...which is my choice, as then I'm booked at jobs #1 and #3 from mid-August through mid-September.
April 3, 2014
I interviewed for another job. I didn't get it.
It wasn't as though I am unhappy where I currently am. My current facility treats me well...for the most part. It pays well and I get enough hours as of late. Sometimes I feel a little under-appreciated and trapped. I know they'd rather I stay where I am instead of working in the inpatient side. But I'm also trying to lay down the ground work for when I take a permanent position next year. I don't know if that will be at my current facility; sometimes I can see myself working there until retirement, while other times I feel like I should see if there are better options out there.
After talking to a friend who had been encouraging me to explore those options, I brushed up the resume and applied to where he worked. Hey, I may as well work a network connection.
Like I said, I wasn't unhappy where I am...I think it was half to see if I could get in this facility which is notoriously hard to get into, and half to see if I still an attractive candidate to other facilities. I guess I was attractive enough in that I got an interview. Not attractive enough though as I got the rejection e-mail a couple of days later.
I'll admit, it wasn't my best interview: I'm a couple of years out of practice. There were some questions that I could have answered a lot better. I think I was a little too honest/open about a few things which may have made them wonder if I'd be a good fit. And the job, while interesting, wasn't quite what I thought it would be...and I think that conveyed.
*sigh*
So it was a nice ego boost to be considered for an interview. And a little bit crushing to be rejected. But the feeling is more from the rejection itself than because of not getting particular job. But at least I know what to expect should I ever interview with them again.
Though it's not as though I'm wanting for work lately. I've been working a lot...a little too much actually. As in working 5-6 days a week for the last few weeks. I think I'm starting to burn out.
It wasn't as though I am unhappy where I currently am. My current facility treats me well...for the most part. It pays well and I get enough hours as of late. Sometimes I feel a little under-appreciated and trapped. I know they'd rather I stay where I am instead of working in the inpatient side. But I'm also trying to lay down the ground work for when I take a permanent position next year. I don't know if that will be at my current facility; sometimes I can see myself working there until retirement, while other times I feel like I should see if there are better options out there.
After talking to a friend who had been encouraging me to explore those options, I brushed up the resume and applied to where he worked. Hey, I may as well work a network connection.
Like I said, I wasn't unhappy where I am...I think it was half to see if I could get in this facility which is notoriously hard to get into, and half to see if I still an attractive candidate to other facilities. I guess I was attractive enough in that I got an interview. Not attractive enough though as I got the rejection e-mail a couple of days later.
I'll admit, it wasn't my best interview: I'm a couple of years out of practice. There were some questions that I could have answered a lot better. I think I was a little too honest/open about a few things which may have made them wonder if I'd be a good fit. And the job, while interesting, wasn't quite what I thought it would be...and I think that conveyed.
*sigh*
So it was a nice ego boost to be considered for an interview. And a little bit crushing to be rejected. But the feeling is more from the rejection itself than because of not getting particular job. But at least I know what to expect should I ever interview with them again.
Though it's not as though I'm wanting for work lately. I've been working a lot...a little too much actually. As in working 5-6 days a week for the last few weeks. I think I'm starting to burn out.
August 9, 2013
I have had it!
Cancelled yet again. Time to do something about this...so I just shot off my resume and a cover letter to a nearby psychiatric facility that is looking for per-diems.
Me thinks it's time I parted ways with the agency...or at least not rely on them as job #2 anymore. Job #3, perhaps.
So I sent it off...let's see what happens. Though I do need to remember that sending a resume on a Friday afternoon will not necessarily result in a same-day reply.
Me thinks it's time I parted ways with the agency...or at least not rely on them as job #2 anymore. Job #3, perhaps.
So I sent it off...let's see what happens. Though I do need to remember that sending a resume on a Friday afternoon will not necessarily result in a same-day reply.
March 24, 2012
Apparently I am tan
Or I at least have some color. I have always been on the pale side--I get this from my father. I also wear SPF on my face and neck every day (for anti-aging and anti-skin cancer reasons). I should be more religious about the rest of my body and I am when I'm on the beach, but daily use on the arms and hands don't always happen.
So when I was out east, everyone said I looked so tan. I chalked this up to my makeup being too dark--it's been a while since I checked the foundation shade--and resolved to go to Sephora.
My sister and her family arrived. My sister looks at me and tells me, "you've got color."
"I wear sunblock daily," says I. "I don't know how this happened."
"Imagine if you didn't wear it," says she. "I mean, you used to look like this." She held up a white paper towel.
Which is true: I tended to glow at the beach. I stand out in family photos, especially with the preponderance of blue-eyed darker-skinned blondes in the family, and I'm there, brown and brown (albeit a bottled darker brown) but pale. Funny thing, genetics...pale blue-eyed blonde father marries brown-eyed brunette olive-skinned mother. I end up dark haired and pale; she's the olive blue-eyed blonde.
Anyhow...
My first nursing class will be wrapping up this week, so I figure in April, I'll start up the per-diem search again. I was called off for a few shifts due to low census and/or changing staff plans, and while it's not the end of the world, I think I really would like some more hours than I am getting now...either in inpatient or outpatient.
I haven't heard anything back from that per-diem pool application...then again, it did state that they were collecting applications and that they would only call if they had a match between job and applicant. I also figure that as much as I like working at my facility and would really prefer to work there for all my jobs, it may really be time for me to look outside the box. I think I may not limit myself to just inpatient, but see what else is out there and diversify a bit.
I thought about pursing part-time, even. But I really do like the per-diem flexibility.
So when I was out east, everyone said I looked so tan. I chalked this up to my makeup being too dark--it's been a while since I checked the foundation shade--and resolved to go to Sephora.
My sister and her family arrived. My sister looks at me and tells me, "you've got color."
"I wear sunblock daily," says I. "I don't know how this happened."
"Imagine if you didn't wear it," says she. "I mean, you used to look like this." She held up a white paper towel.
Which is true: I tended to glow at the beach. I stand out in family photos, especially with the preponderance of blue-eyed darker-skinned blondes in the family, and I'm there, brown and brown (albeit a bottled darker brown) but pale. Funny thing, genetics...pale blue-eyed blonde father marries brown-eyed brunette olive-skinned mother. I end up dark haired and pale; she's the olive blue-eyed blonde.
Anyhow...
My first nursing class will be wrapping up this week, so I figure in April, I'll start up the per-diem search again. I was called off for a few shifts due to low census and/or changing staff plans, and while it's not the end of the world, I think I really would like some more hours than I am getting now...either in inpatient or outpatient.
I haven't heard anything back from that per-diem pool application...then again, it did state that they were collecting applications and that they would only call if they had a match between job and applicant. I also figure that as much as I like working at my facility and would really prefer to work there for all my jobs, it may really be time for me to look outside the box. I think I may not limit myself to just inpatient, but see what else is out there and diversify a bit.
I thought about pursing part-time, even. But I really do like the per-diem flexibility.
January 25, 2012
Dyed sheep, part 3
Preliminary reports show that it looks like the dye evened out most of the color and did achieve chocolate brown status...except the parts of hair that were originally colored canary from the color remover. Those are now a light/medium brown.
Very minor disaster. But far from the worst that I've had--it is manageable and even looks kind of novel. However, the hair is still damp so the final results are not in yet. Once the hair is fully dry I'll be able to see how obvious the difference is.
Major lesson learned: stick with the other color remover. It may reek but it does work more evenly. But I am now a brown sheep. If necessary, I'll move the follow-up coloring from next month to the next two weeks: I think that with a second dyeing that focuses on those areas instead of the whole head, the light area will absorb more color and darken.
During this adventure, I did get my discussion question posted for class as well as make some notes for the personal philosophy of nursing paper. And that recruiter that found me on Indeed not too long ago wrote to see if I'm still available, so maybe it's time to contact her and make my acquaintance.
January 9, 2012
On Ys, borderlines and job applications
I forgot that the YMCA was the mecca for older adults. That's cool though--I'd rather be working out with them than with a crowd that is younger but is more interested in showing off on the machines and trying to pick each other up. Plus it's kind of inspiring to see these older adults work out...some could bench-press me under the table if they wanted to. Anyhow, I had a good workout. I focused all on cardio today. Tomorrow after the treadmill (I plan to walk every time I'm there), I'll try some of the machines.
Get Me Out of Here by Rachel Reiland was a fantastic book. It really shows what it's like to be a borderline from the borderline's point-of-view. The emotions that she writes about are so raw and gripping that I couldn't help but be pulled into her feelings. It helps to explain what drives people with borderline personality disorder and why they behave as they do--and that it's not as simple for them turn their behaviors and feelings off as we as psych nurses wish they could do at times.
Yes, I know that to refer to a patient with borderline (or any other) personality disorder just as "the borderline" (or "the antisocial", "the histrionic", etc.) is not the politically correct term, and for the most part I try not to do that. But when it's shift change and you're giving or getting report from the other nurse--or when you're jotting down thoughts in your blog--it's just more succinct to say "the borderline" or "the borderline in room 2."
Anyhow, to augment that book I took out a couple of more clinical books about borderline and other personality disorders, as well as a book about dialectical behavior therapy, which is one of the more effective treatments for the disorder. Hopefully from this homework I'll have more understanding--as well as more patience--when it comes to dealing with Axis II patients, especially since they often frequent eating disorders and dual diagnosis.
I'm working on the application for the government psych nursing job. I decided to give it a shot--after all, applying for it doesn't commit me to anything. The problem is that the application isn't really a "fill in the blanks" except for the standard government application that everyone has to fill out. Instead, the job application is more of "tell us about yourself and why you would be a good candidate." There's good and bad to that. Good in that I can elaborate on my strengths as well as explain stuff more fully than I would by filling in the blanks. Bad in that I have to get creative so I present like a strong candidate without sounding over the top.
I have until Friday to get it in. The resume is already brushed up, so it's mostly completing the government form and the "Introducing Meriwhen!" advertisement.
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