The end of nursing school is now just weeks away, and the focus has shifted from exams and clinicals to job hunting. Unlike many parts of the country, there is no nursing shortage in Columbus. Plenty of nurses, fewer jobs as hospitals cut back, and a slew of new nurses coming out of the 8+ nursing schools around the city.

I went into nursing for a single reason: to work with new moms and babies. I’ve happily (and not-so-happily at times) endured my turn through all other areas of nursing, understanding that we need to have a basic knowledge of how different hospital areas function and getting a wide variety of clinical experiences.

But my mind has been set on working with moms and babies from the beginning. It’s why I started on this journey. It’s my calling, I guess you could say. Sure, some of my class aren’t picky about where they’ll work, but I’m nearly 33 – I know where I want to work, and I don’t want to waste time getting there.

I’ve applied for probably 10 jobs so far, all in labor & delivery units or NICUs. The biggest challenge is that I’m up against so many other applicants, several with experience. No one seems to want a nurse fresh out of school.

However, last Friday I had to complete the last of my clinical hours, choosing to shadow at a birth center in my hometown. My mother has worked at that hospital for over 30 years, and I thought it would be nice to see how a smaller hospital works. I had also noticed that they had job openings in the birth center, and I applied for a job as well.

It was a wonderful experience, and I really enjoyed how nice everyone was and how well the team worked together. The nurse manager answered all of my questions, and at the end of the day, she interviewed me for the open job. I think the interview went really well, even though it’s been four years since my last interview and I’m a little rusty.

She told me that she hopes to make a decision on the job by the end of this week. You can imagine that I’m crossing fingers, toes and eyes hoping to get this job. I liked the other nurses, I liked the nurse manager, and I think I’d love working there.

I believe in the power of positive thinking (OK, maybe not as far as The Secret believes it can go), and I need help here. If all of you can spare a few good thoughts, some positive energy, prayers, or whatever it is you do for me this week, I’d appreciate the help. I’m so anxious this week – I want that job. I think I’d be an asset for them.

It’s also time to see an end to the bad streak of luck we’ve had. Aaron’s one last freelance writing job – a job he hoped to see go full-time – ended abruptly last week in a rather unprofessional way (unprofessional on their end, not his), and I’m a little tired of being thrown under the Karma bus. I want some good news for once. And you’d probably rather read some good news, right?

Let’s hope I impressed them enough that I get to be the next new OB nurse at that hospital.