If you're just starting to read this, please read part 1 here first. This story will make way more sense that way.
After I was turned down for the hospital internship, I continued to send out applications to local hospitals, but wasn't expecting too much in return. I knew they didn't send out rejection letters, and also felt like having my RN would have a greater advantage. I chose to concentrate on passing NCLEX, and I would worry about looking for a job afterward.
I took NCLEX on June 28th, and paid for early results, which I received on June 30th. We decided to go out to dinner that night with some friends to celebrate, and had to wait a really long time for a table. During one of the numerous trips to the bathroom with my daughter, I saw one of my nursing classmates at a table, and stopped by to say hello. She told me that she had gotten a job in home health, and they were looking for one more nurse who lived in our area. She gave me the owner's contact information, and I emailed him my resume that night.
Early the next morning, I received a phone call from the home health agency's owner, and he interviewed me over the phone, and basically offered me the job. I told him that I was concerned about having to drive long distances, and he reassured me that I would be seeing patients in the area where I live after I completed training, which would be before school started for the fall. The office is 45 miles from me, and includes 6 tolls on each roundtrip. I also told the owner that I did not want to work weekends, and he said that they were optional, and that he paid extra for weekend work. I told him that I would think about it and call him back. The pay wasn't great, but I knew that I had to start somewhere to gain experience.
I thought about it for a couple of hours, made childcare arrangements, and called the owner back to accept the job. He asked me to start the day after Independence Day, and I agreed. We spent the weekend cleaning the house and preparing ourselves for some long days ahead. I was to be in the office from 8-5, leaving at 6:45 in the morning to arrive on time. My husband would wake the kids up and take them to daycare so they could sleep a little later. I went shopping for some non-school-colored scrubs, and was so excited to have my first nursing position!
To be continued...
