Well, after months of searching and being turned down, I think I may have a good chance of being hired at a LTC facility. I really hope and pray this is it. I have been rejected more times in the past 6 months than I care to think about. I have even been trying to get non-nursing/office/clerical jobs but continue to be rejected. I almost decided to give up my nursing career, was so discouraged, but after being turned down for several non-nursing jobs, I decided to get back out there and pursue a nursing position. It was like a light came on in my head...that I am meant to be a nurse and just because I am an addict and I screwed up doesn't mean that I shouldn't pursue it and can't be a nurse anymore. So I went to the LTC care facilities (which I have been avoiding) and turned in applications. I had 2 interviews scheduled within an hour. I really did not want to go back to the 12 hour shifts, and I said I would never work night shifts but I just got into the right frame of mind, so desperate to go back to work, and I am at the point where I am willing to do anything!
I just laid it all out there on the table during my interview with the DON. Before we even got into the formal interview questions I told her about all of my issues and that I am an addict in the monitoring program for nurses in our state. I didn't try to sugar coat it or make excuses and I was confident in telling her about my recovery. She was very understanding and familiar with addiction and nurses in monitoring programs. She really put me at ease unlike the other interviews I've been to after I told them of my problems, the atmosphere and tone completely changed and became cold. She said that she has hired nurses in the program before and they turned out to be excellent employees. I think I nailed all of the formal interview questions as well. I was there for about an hour and a half and also met with the administrator who seemed supportive and understanding of my situation as well. I felt so good when I left. She said that she has to clear it through corporate first before she can hire me and actually called me later in the afternoon to touch base and tell me that she hadn't gotten a phone call back but promised she wouldn't leave me hanging. We then talked on the phone for another 20 minutes. She said that corporate has agreed to hire nurses in my situation in the past so it sounds like I have a good chance. Fortunately it sounds like they have had good experiences with the nurses they have hired that were in the program. AND, it is a day shift position!!
Oh I hope this is it! Please send good vibes and thoughts my way that I get this job that I so desperately need!
