A new chapter awaits...

  

Did you guess which one of the two fepic job offers I decided to take?

Once I’d made my decision and made that all important call, I felt like the whole world had been lifted off my shoulders. The call seemed to go on forever as I scribbled down all of the things I needed to do next. In typical style for me, I couldn’t find anything to write on so had to make do with ripping apart a jaffa cake box and scribbling with my favourite eyebrow pencil – and of course, I couldn’t resist a couple of those jaffa beauties!

There really is so much to do and they’re keen to get me started as soon as possible. They have provisionally pencilled my induction days in for 2 weeks time so I really need to get my ass in gear.

I’ve got to take my documents in for my DBS to be processed. I’m pretty confident that I haven’t committed any crimes in the last year since I had my last one but apparently, it’s just protocol. My last DBS isn’t portable (whatever that means) so it means that I have to have a brand new application. According to the lady I spoke to in HR, if I register with the update service it means that my records will always be up to date for employers to look at.

I’ve also got to have two references. I will have to go to Charisma as she is my last employer but I’m not sure who to ask for the second one. I think I might have to go to my nurse tutor as I don’t really have anyone else to ask.

The thought of telling Charisma that I was leaving the agency was enough to bring me out in a rash. I figured I’d better get it over and done with but felt that I owed it to her to tell her to her face rather than over the phone so I got ready to go out – besides, I needed to pick up a new eyebrow pencil or I’m going to be drawing a couple of slugs on my face with the now-blunt one – not a good look for the new girl!

When I arrived, she was busy with a new nurse. I’d forgotten what it was like to sit in front of her and have instructions fired at me – I felt like I was waiting to be interviewed all over again! I sat in the waiting area pretending to flick through a magazine when really, I was trying to plan my leaving speech. I almost bottled it when she shouted across that she was ready to see me and that I’d better have a damn good explanation for ignoring her calls for the past two days. I wondered if she would believe that I had been hit by a double-decker bus and had made a miraculous recovery? From the look in her eyes, I knew that bullshit wasn’t going to cut it this time so I’d better just fess up.

I sat across from her and she just glared at me. We have this very simple relationship – she gives the orders and I do as I’m told – and I was frightened to think how she was going to react when I told her I was leaving.

In all honesty, she might come across as all hard-faced but she’s really very caring and supportive. When I’ve got myself into pickles and had to call her, she’s always given me sound advice and called me back later to see if I’ve sorted myself out. She’s been like having a psychotic big sister who you can’t help but look up to, even when thy scare the crap out of you. 

So, I just blurted it out and told her I was leaving; that I’d been offered a permanent job. I’m sure I started dribbling as I waffled on about wanting to learn more and carve out a career pathway – she looked like she wanted to carve me with something!

And then you could have knocked me over when finally, after a full two minutes of silent glaring she shouted ‘About time Florence! I thought I was going to be stuck with you forever’. I didn’t really know what to say – I won’t lie, I felt a bit hurt. She must have seen my crumbling face (minus eyebrows) because she went on to say how I was a good nurse and although she would be sorry not to have me to make a big fat profit for her, she was glad that I was taking responsibility for my career! I didn’t even need to ask her for a reference as she brought the subject up first.

We talked about my notice period and I was praying that she wouldn’t say a whole month, but she really surprised me when she offered to keep me on – just in case things didn’t work out. She explained that she had lots of nurses on her books who had permanent jobs and who would pick up extra shifts when they needed to.

To be honest, I hadn’t thought about that but it seemed to make sense. One part of me says to stay registered with Charisma so that I can make some extra cash if I need to, whereas another part of me says that it will be too easy to fall back on if my new job doesn’t work out, and that might make me not give the new role a true chance. I just don’t know but I told her I would think about it – if I stayed on, it would solve the notice period hurdle.

So have you guessed yet which role I’m going for?

That’s right! I plumped for the NHS role, for the simple reason that I really do want to develop my skills and, if I’m being honest, I think the Clinical Lead role was a bit ambitious with my still-limited knowledge. I called them though and politely declined their kind offer. I told them that I thought I needed to ‘learn my trade’ a little more before I could truly do such a responsible role the justice that it deserves. I’ve learnt that it’s really important not to burn bridges and the manager was really lovely – she asked me not to forget about them and that she was sure she would always be able to find a role for someone of my calibre. I wasn’t expecting that, but it made me feel really quite honoured.

So here’s to my new chapter! I’ve not completely closed the old chapter yet but at least I’m turning a few pages now. Who knows – this could turn into something quite special? No doubt there will be a drama or two to be played out yet!