Here I go again........

Today, for The Interview,........

I had nice, neat, trimmed-on-Sunday hair, that had been dyed "Dark Praline Brown" on Saturday. It's one of L'Oreal's new velvet browns, you know. Perfect grey coverage. Rich, even, long-lasting colour. Non-drip (Try telling my Dark-Praline Brown-spotted concrete that). With Ceramide-Protein conditioner. At least that's what the box says. My hair just a dark, reddish brown. colour. Very similar to many other dark, reddish-browns that I have dyed it before........ I used to colour my hair. Now I just try my darndest to make it look natural....


I had attractive, but not over-done make-up. Foundation, Mascara, Lippy...as usual.


My handbag and shoes matched. This is very, very, very unusual. Black, of course. And I carried my portfolio in GG's black (of course) laptop satchel.


Very professional.


Very powerful. Of course.


I wore a very schmick power suit. Black, of course. With a crisp white shirt with thin blue and black stripes. Smart indeed. So did just about everybody else that I saw. Varying shades of the shirt, but generally understated. A few didn't really look as if they had made much of an effort, but maybe they're new to the game. Or they are so confident of their own abilities that they didn't need the props and facade ... And some young girls whose mothers need to give them a lesson in interview preparation....


I was early... and thrust into the spotlight early...... It was lucky that I had been able to spend time at Rose Cottage in Lisa's calming company. I was only mildly petrified....... with a heart that was pumping like a steam train slogging it's way across the Nullabor Plain.


The questions were asked and answered appropriately, usually at some length. Too long-winded, maybe??? I don't know. Others that arrived after me came out before me. I was familiar with one of the three panel members. She interviewed me last time I applied for a traineeship. And I was unsuccessful. Was I better or worse this time???? They were nice folk, Karen, Penny and Bill. What a job they've got to do! We must have all started to look alike in our black....... Droning on about the same things.....


Hmmmmmm.........................


I was not black. I joked with the panel about the "Black interviewee uniform". I was sunny, enthusiatic, co-operative and informative. And professional. And very nurse-like. I am a great pretender.....................


These are the hospitals who will take on a trainee enrolled nurse come September 24;
Armidale, Cessnock, Gloucester, Manning Valley, Inverell, Moree, Boggabri, Tamworth, Wingham, Kurri Kurri (so nice they named it twice), Moree, Maitland, John Hunter, The Royal Newcastle Centre. No Muswellbrook, Scone, Singleton, Belmont.



I had to make a choice of where I would like to train if I was a successful applicant. I told the panel I would "go anywhere, really. It's all do-able". But I had to nominate two places. My 1st choice was John Hunter, because it had 2 places available. My second choice was The Royal Newcastle Centre. I told the panel that these were my choices as my parent's home at Belmont would provide me with the support base that my family and I needed if I were to work away from home. But I will work wherever they send me. These traineeships are like winning lotto. 16 or so positions to be filled. I'm not sure how many lucky interviewees there were today. 2 separate panels running over a number of days, with a minimum of about 15 candidates per session. That's a lot of people competeing for a very few jobs........


I told the panel I would not apply again if I was not successful on this occassion. Not until 2009. Because Scorpaboy sits his HSC next year, and I need to be around for this. If I get lucky this time, then I'll be living back home just after his HSC trial exams. And that will be ok. But I won't live away when my boy might really need me.


GG thinks it would be good. We could set up a flat together, and she could phone me late at night/early morning when she is in her cups to drive her places. Or not. Her mother will be a hard-working nurse trainee on a shiftwork roster........... It would be good to live together, though....................


So . It it done. I will know nothing for a few weeks. Interviews are being held in various sites between 25/6 and 13/7. Referee reports will be collected between 16/7 and 10/8. Luckily, my manager is on leave, and the acting manager actually likes me and thinks I will be a good nurse. She offerred to act as a referree for me, so I supplied her name instead, today. So if I get that far, all will be well. My other referree is my old boss from Muswellbrook Community Health, and she will be glowing in her praise. She wants me to work for her when I'm qualified.


Offers of employment will be sent out between August 13 and 17..............................


I think I shall be very busy over the next few weeks.


Taking small breaths.


Because I will be holding my breath.... a little......


Thank you for all your kind thoughts.



And finally, a bird up-date for Lisa.
Corn is happily chatting with her new friends. The blokes are happy that there is a cool new chick on the block.
Mr Quail, formerly bonk-murderer, successfully made the transition to his new home, only attempting Hari-Kari twice. This afternoon, he was running his little orange legs off.


And now I'm going to hug my GG because she's here, and I can.

See you later.

And Lisa, thank you again for your help today.


xoxoxoxoxoxox


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