The last Get To Work update was a little over a couple weeks ago and I was excited because I'd seen that my application had been looked at. Sometime between then and now I decided that my 'next step' wouldn't come until my application had been out there for a month. As I explained in that last post, it takes so freaking long for the state hiring process to go through that a month isn't exactly a long wait period and since I'm not hurting for money just yet, I can afford to wait.
But oh dear Goddess, it's getting very hard to wait.
Last week I freaked out as I felt I'd been waiting too long so I started to contemplate what that mysterious 'next move' would be. When I looked at the calendar and realized it hadn't even been 3 weeks since I put my application in, it was disheartening. I even complained about it to my therapist.
Anyway, in that regard, nothing has changed. I'm still waiting. I haven't gotten any calls or emails or notifications on the state board about interviews. I'm just waiting.
Then yesterday morning comes. I'd decided that Sunday or Monday was going to be my day. The Lets Decide What To Do Next day, but was considering leaping ahead and doing it that day. While I was still early in my morning routine, specifically in my social media roundup, I hit Facebook and found that the Michigan Department of Corrections was having a recruiting event. Here in town. I've mentioned that my home town has four or five prisons (depending on how you count them) so they'll sometimes have recruiting events just for the local area. There is always a huge need, especially for corrections officers. This recruiting event was at the local prison complex where all the training, administrative, and transportation offices were for the southern part of the state. Seriously, my town is the prison hub for the state.
Initially I didn't know if I wanted to go. First, I know that these events are more for corrections officers. Yeah, they list healthcare and mental health, and they even staff them for those positions, but they want officers. When I was part of one at my previous prison I got to talk to two or three nurses for every potential officer that came in and I was getting stink eye from the warden the entire time. It would also be embarrassing as I've already applied. I mean... if they don't want me, they've kind of already said 'no' to me. Me coming to a recruiting event is like the kid coming up to the softball game and begging to play when they've already picked teams and told him to go home.
By the time lunch rolled around though, I'd decided to go ahead and go. The main reason is that one of the things I was thinking for my Lets Decide What To Do Next scenario was contacting the state healthcare recruiter. I'd talked to her before and thought I might just toss her an email and see if they were still in a bad place like when I was last there. I mean... maybe they're honestly well staffed and that's why I've been left hanging. So if I was going to do that in a couple days, why not go in that day and possibly see her in person?
I get all cleaned up, freshen up my 'nice' clothes that I haven't worn for a couple years, remember how to put on a tie, and drive down to the recruitment center. The first annoying thing I should mention is that they moved the recruitment center. It's still in the same building, but technically the building consists of two prisons and used to be the largest free standing prison in the world. Seriously. They moved the office from the center of the building where all the parking leads, to the other side. I had to ask people that were standing outside where exactly it was. When they said "It's down there, the door with the blue flag" I swear, I could barely see the blue flag.
I get down to the blue flag finally and two officers are walking in just ahead of me. I vaguely recognize them, but remember it's been three years since I worked in a prison and once they're in uniform the officers are like soldiers or police officers... they look alike. I follow them in and once I head down the stairs, see a room with four or five guys just sitting around. It looks like the recruiting events I remember. I immediately head over there, give them a smile and a wave, and mention that I was there for the recruiting event.
Evidently I was in the wrong place. I have no idea what they were doing, but one of them came out and walked me over to where the recruiting event was going on. It just so happens that it was with the two officers that I walked in behind as they were returning from lunch. Or rather, they were returning WITH lunch and were just now sitting down to eat. Great... I get to disrupt their lunch. Great 'first' impression.
Turns out my 'first' impression was years ago as one of the officers recognized me and remembered working with me. Once she said that, I could remember her specifically as she worked in the bubble. I'd seen her on a day in day out basis for like a year. Once they realize I'm there for healthcare, they set me up with the paperwork that is so obviously set for corrections officers that I have to fill out. I fill it out knowing damned well that all of that information (and more) is in my online application. When I return the filled out paperwork the second officer (she didn't know me but had thought I already worked for the department) started to take me over to the physical testing area. Potential corrections officers have to pass a physical test to get into the academy, so they speed the process up and have them applicants test immediately. The first officer reminded the second officer that I didn't have to do the physical as I was healthcare. I jokingly added that if they wanted some entertainment I could try it, but I'd fail just about any physical test.
She then walked me over to the head recruiters office. I had to wait while he looked over my paperwork and finished up with a phone call. When he was ready he set my paperwork down and asked my name.
What? I mean, sure, I'll give you my name, but it's seriously the top thing on that piece of paper in your hand that you've been glancing at while on your phone call. But fine.
I give him my name and he starts looking up my online application. We correct his spelling a couple times (he typed my name wrong. twice.) but he still can't find my online application. This could be a serious problem if I have to fill that out again. The detailed work history and such that requires dates and addresses and phone numbers is something that I can't do without my computer or phone and I have neither (I went in without my phone because, you know, prison). As I'm about to go out to my car (WAY OVER THERE in the parking lot) to get my phone and show him the application, he confirms that I applied for a corrections officer position.
God Damn It.
I mean, seriously. Look at the damned piece of paper that's in your fucking hand. Right below my name (that you misspelled twice) is written that I'm applying for a REGISTERD NURSE or REGISTERED NURSE MANAGER position.
Evidently that changes everything. I keep on a good face and laugh at his mistake (since he's laughing at it.. I wouldn't just laugh at him), while he gets me the healthcare recruiters information. Evidently she's not there that day and is at another event. He tells me he'll pass on my information and that I should also reach out to her.
I'm so glad that I went to the recruiting event. While I don't exactly remember the healthcare recruiter's name that I have had dealings with, I know it isn't the same person on this sheet. They must have changed personnel, which isn't a surprise. But if I'd just gone back through my email, found the email of the recruiter I'd dealt with before, and emailed her, one of two things would have happened. She'd have replied from her new position (she'd keep her email address as they're tied to your name), and it would have wasted some of my time, or my email would have just gone into that big state shaped email void and never gotten any reply. In which case I'd have assumed that means I was unwanted.
Now that I've sent out an introductory email to the state healthcare recruiter, I should hear back from her today or early next week.
Fingers crossed!!
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