m.schuttler

I graduated from Central Florida in May of '09. Moved to Cleveland right after graduation to pursue a relationship and because of all the great things I had heard about the medical industry here. Fast forward a few months...I have applied to dozens of LTC/Rehab places, have as many applications open with the Cleveland Clinic and University as I can. I have been on three interviews now with Cleveland Clinic, the first two for specialized units that wanted more experienced nurses and the last one (today actually) for a med/surg position. I interviewed with HR and I think it went well, however I tend to get horrible interview anxiety. The positions are on hold until next year so it will be some time until I know. I have had a few interviews with various LTC facilities and they range from flat out "We don't hire new grads" to "We'll get back to you..." (and nothing happens) or vague things that sound promising but again, I never hear back despite calling a few weeks later to check my status. After a lot of internal debate I have finally chosen to pursue a military career (my family was against it) in nursing but that is also having its ups and downs. Sorry about that rant. It has been hard and it gets harder with each passing day but I just keep trying and hoping. Right now, I'm really trying to focus on my interview skills and staying positive.

Go Knights! I had Dr. Covelli for my pathology and pharmacology classes and really enjoyed them. My consult went well. The audiologist found normal hearing and the speech test went well also. She wrote a positive letter and my recruiter came to the office with me to scan everything to the Surgeon General. Another bit of waiting and I should be good for boards. My only nagging worry is that they will see how long I've been out of work and wonder...

Thanks for the suggestion and encouragement. I do have the consult this Thursday and do plan to discuss how my hearing is not an issue. I will let you all know how it goes.

Latest update. Have an ENT consult next Thursday as my hearing test was right on the line and I failed. A bit frustrated as I was told it would not be an issue but after the Surgeon General looked at it, he wanted a consult. My recruiter is not exactly sure what they are looking for. I know they have me scheduled for another audiogram but my hearing is not going to get any better. I had ear surgery when I was 12 and have a mild conductive hearing loss. My recruiter seems to think they just want to make sure it is not progressive etc. Hoping to make the January boards this time. Fingers crossed.

Recruiter brought up San Antonio but said he couldn't get anyone on the phone for dates. He was told that we should hear back from the OSG within days. Just playing the waiting game and keeping my fingers crossed.

Don't really know if I have time but I will bring it up next time I talk to him. Just have a few weeks until the December boards. My waiver went to the Office of the Surgeon General.

Looks like I won't be making the November board but my recruiter told me they are having another in December. I just hope my waiver comes in with enough time to do the physical etc. I've been looking online and I've heard it can take months to process these waivers...is that usually the case?

And the hits keep on coming. MEPS turned down my application for a physical. They want an ETP to continue to process me. Still not a total dead end, just need to get that waiver in a week or so. Still all out of my hands and still waiting. All of my other paperwork is in and good to go. I'll keep you all updated.

Thanks for all of the thoughts so far. I am meeting with my recruiter again tomorrow to sign a few more things and then my packet will be sent in. And yes, as hard as it is to just sit back, that really is my only option. I am just glad I was able to get a shot with my late entrance into the game, and if its meant to be, it will happen. I just hope I don't bite all my nails off waiting...

First time posting here on any kind of thread. Just going through a lot and wanted to share my thoughts and see if anyone had any insight. I graduated with my BSN in May of this year from Central Florida. I moved to Cleveland shorty thereafter and the job market has been..less than favorable. Long story short, I had always been discouraged from entering the military by my family. However, given my current situation and this has always been a dream in the back of my mind, I decided to purse the Army Nurse Corps. And what a whirlwind it has been. I met with my recruiter on the 28th of October. He told me that the Nurse Corps is once again close to their quota and we needed to "bum-rush" my application if we had a chance at all. In under a week, I have faxed, fed-exed, harassed professors and classmates to get my packet together. It is all finally coming together by tomorrow and my physical is scheduled for the 4th. All well and good but... I read online that the application deadline is the 3rd. My recruiter said an exception could be made. I really hope he is right. Also, I am worried about what the competition to get in is going to be like given the economy. I don't have any RN or military experience. I guess all I can do is hope and wait. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. I just mostly wanted to vent. Thank you.