I just got an early Christmas present....I was hired on at one of the hospitals here as a Critical Care Tech (Nurse Apprentice I) in the ICU. I'm so thrilled!!!! I really, really wanted the job. Not only will the experience be great, but it pays $13-14 an hour. I will work one or two 12-hour shift a weekend, so it won't interfere with my nursing classes. Oh happy day!!!! And if I do well as the Apprentice I, then when it comes time for them to hire the Apprentice II (which is VERY competitive), I will have my foot in the door.
I really thought I screwed up my interview by talking too much. I become VERY gregarious when nervous and felt like maybe I said too much. I also got teary-eyed in the interview over a few of the questions (patient related and other subjects close to my heart) and thought that might have scared them off. But the HR lady said I was great and they would be thrilled to have me as part of the team. Yes, I will only be functioning as a CNA until my 2nd semester of school is finished, but that's what I wanted. I told them I wanted to start out doing what a CNA did so that when I became an RN, I could appreciate all that the CNA's do for the nursing staff.
I've been without a job since September of 2002 so this will be strange going back to work. And working in a hospital, no less. The only job I've really ever had is waiting tables. I'm kind of terrified, but it's a good terrified if that makes sense?
