Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Done and done

I just submitted my nursing application today! I had one of my friends, a new nurse practitioner, read over my two statements for me and give me suggestions on how to improve them. I'm so glad I did because they sound so much better now! I really wasn't happy with what I wrote before all the editing, mainly because I really am not too fond of playing myself up and writing about just how AWESOME I am. It's quite embarrassing to me, really. But you are really suppose to sell yourself in these things, and the main reason I didn't get an interview last year, according to somebody on the committee, was because I didn't address this enough. So it helped for somebody who knows me well to tell me what she saw in me that would make me a successful nurse. I found that a 250 word limit was just not enough for me, so a lot of cutting and editing followed.

Even though I was very happy with the results, I was still extremely nervous hitting that "Submit application" button. I had my hand over the mouse for a while, finger hovering over the button as my co-worker who was in the room at the time encouraged, "Do it! Do it" So click I did. It is out of my hands now. Now I sit and wait....and obsessively check the status of my application (my transcripts better be in their hands already!)

Why so nervous? Well I am so ready to move on. Cancer research was just suppose to be a stepping stone, but it turned into 6 years of my life (!!!) As glamorous and noble the profession may sound, I am just so sick of all the politics involved and many a jaded grad student and post-doc has confirmed my feelings towards it. Did you know that a new post-doc, who just went through at least 5 years of grad school and has a PhD, makes just about as much as me, who only a has bachelor's under my belt? Pure ridiculousness! You really have to love research (or hate yourself) to even plan on staying in this field long enough to make some real money.....like enough to be able to support your family. 

So I'm waiting for my turn, for my career to start going the way I want it. This is my third time applying. I've tried for three years to get into this program! It's great for me because I already have a bachelor's degree in another field, so it only takes 14 months to complete. The real perk, though, is the fact that you are matched with a participating hospital in Tucson and they pay for your tuition. We also get a stipend for books, uniform, and equipment. In turn, you dedicate three years of work at your sponsor hospital. Guaranteed job after graduation? Check! In this economy, entry-level positions are getting harder and harder to come by in this state, despite the nursing shortage. Newbie nurses just take more money to train!

So keep your fingers crossed for me! Third time's a charm, eh?

2 comments:

Rachel said...

I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you!! Your friend is right: sell yourself. Make it a brag sheet :)

There's only 2 or 3 more weeks until I finish from a similar program. One of these days I'll update my blog :) Good luck!

Rebecca said...

Good luck! I hope you get in!