#ukrn

You made it this far. Ayiee. So proud of you! Always remember to slow down whenever needed. Pause ⏸️ breathe 🌬️ and begin again 🐣 on repeat 🔁. Always attract positivity. Be strong little fighter!I love you so much!😘🤗🤍

I am having anxieties before going to my shift. I feel like my new colleagues do not like me. I feel so alone. I do not have someone to talk to.

May isang pinoy akong kasama sa work pero di niya ko pinapansin, as in parang hangin lang ako na dumadaan sakanya. Even those whites na kasama ko, i feel like they are talking behind me.

I was 23 when I ventured the land of Great Britain to join the massive crew of Overseas Filipino Workers as a nurse. I was one of the "COVID batch" and thankfully survived the pandemic working in the frontline.

As to my previous blogs on the ups and downs on getting my Nursing PIN, I have come here again to show a little bit of a picture after that.

Straight after getting my PIN, O worked through all the trainings I need to provide quality care for my patients as the demands go on as to being a Neuroscience Nurse. I always look up to all the Nurse In-Charge as to how they handle the shift with all the patients making sure they support their colleagues throughout the shift. I aimed for that. I always tell myself that one day I will be on that same position. With that in mind, I always make sure that in every shift and every bay I handle, my patients received the quality care they deserve, and I think Filipino nurses are well known for that: to always give there best; the best smile, the best care.

After 2 years, I was given a chance to do further trainings to become a Nurse Incharge within the department. I know, others may say it took me a long time, because I have known people that they become Nurse Incharge in their wards in just a quick span of time. I didn't overthink my situation just to avoid any heartbreaks and knowing that everyone has there own timeline, so I should have mine as well.

First day of being a nurse in-charge, I always tell myself I can do it since I have been doing it in the Philippines for a year just before leaving to the UK, plus I have a great support from the Sisters and Charge Nurses. It all went well and they decided to give me shifts as Nurse Incharge.

After several shifts as Nurse In-Charge, I tested myself and applied as a Band 6 Sister in our department since few wards are in need. They mentioned they needed 3 people. I submitted my application and I got accepted for the interview. Even when I was on my month long holiday in the Philippines, I studied and prepared for the interview, thinking that there's a lot of chances on winning. Unfortunately, I didn't get the job since I don't have enough experience yet and ranked 4th on the interview. Oh well. I was just thinking I just need to learn more and do more.

After a few months, another job opening for a Ward Sister was posted and they said they needed 2 but 2 different interviews. The optimistic Self did it again and applied. I prepared, studied, and all. Unfortunately, one the first interview, I was just few points away, still, I didn't get the job. I was still hopeful, "There is still one more interview I can ace that since I was just a few points away." Lo and behold, I didn't get the job AGAIN. I was heartbroken. Maybe it was because of my pride as well. I was silent. Most of my colleagues in the ward was saying there will always be another Band 6 Sister opening that will come soon, I just always smile and just think that they are just saying that to comfort me.

January 2023, I received a group email from the Neuro Education team about an opportunity to join the hospital's Preceptorship Team as Preceptorship Facilitator. As I was reading the Job Description and Person Specification, I was glued to it, yet still having doubts about myself as to my recent pitfalls in job applications.

I talked to my boyfriend about it and we read it all over again. He encouraged me to apply for it saying that my personality will fit into teaching and supporting newly qualified nurses.

After how many doubts, prayers, and encouragements, and just a few days before the closing of the application, I finally had the courage to apply.

I was on my birthday holiday in Morocco when I received an email for invitation for interview by 1st week of February and to prepare a shirt presentation.

During that time, I don't want to tell anyone that O am applying for another Band 6 job but with a different team because of the shame that was brought from previous declines. I just approached my ward manager to spare me a day of annual leave for me to prepare my presentation and asked him to keep the secret for himself of me applying for this job. (Thank you, Ward Manager 😅)

The day has come that I will have my online interview and presentation, I even borrowed my friend's laptop since I don't have one and my boyfriend's laptop camera is playing up (Thanks Ate Ruth 😅). It was nerve wrecking yet I really enjoyed it! Even my boyfriend on the side, listening, said it was really impressive and I look so happy and seems like I enjoyed it very much (or maybe he just said it because he's my boyfriend 🤣) .

The panel told me that it will be a long wait for the result since they will still interview one more candidate and they didn't know when the interview is. THE WAITING GAME IS ALWAYS THE HARDEST.

After a week of waiting, I received a call from an unknown number, I was so nervous having the thought of the result. "We would like to offer you the job." That's it! I was shouting on the phone after hearing those words. Yeeeey!!! I was jumping around while still on the phone. I just can't believe it. Of course I said yes on taking the job. Finally!

After all the rejections, when something is for you, it is for you. God will never be late, never early. Just in time. In a few weeks time, I will start my new job role. Yey, new uniform waiting as well 🎉🤣

It's still the first 3 months of the year and a lot has happened already. After 2 weeks of saying yes to the job offer, I also said yes to my ex-boyfriend, now fiancé .

I always say this line which is always true: "He makes all things beautiful in His time."

CAREER GROWTH 

Not everyday is exciting yet each day serves a learning.  Not all the time means perfection  but everything has its lesson. 

Disclaimer: This is based on my own experience. I took my OET at Academies Australasia, Singapore. The test starts at 8:00am but I arrived at 7:00am thinking that I have a plenty of time; I was wrong. There’s a long queue going to locker area and another long queue going to the registration.

Arriving

1. When you arrive at the test venue, you have to go directly on the second floor and queue to the locker area. 2. At the locker area, you will leave your bag. You will need to turn off your mobile and put it and your watch, if you are wearing one, inside your bag. You will be given a number to be able to collect your bag after the test. On my case, my husband was with me carrying all of my belongings including my food. He was sitting on the waiting area at the lobby. 3. You will then be directed to register. The staff will check your passport and then take your photo, which will be used on your Statement of Results. The staff will tell you which room you’re going to take your Listening, Reading and Writing test. Mine was on the 4th floor. 4. This is a good time to go to the toilet as you cannot leave the room during the Listening test. You can request to go to the toilet during the combined time for Reading Parts B and C and the Writing test but not during the first 10 or last 10 minutes, and you will not be given extra time. If you leave the room to go to the toilet, your identity will be checked again.

Entering the test room

5. When it is time to go into the test room, you will be asked to find your desk. An invigilator will check your ID document (passport) again. 6. Take your seat, put your stationery, water bottle and passport on your desk. There’s a clock at the front of the room which you can refer to during the test. 7. When everyone is seated, the invigilator will read out some general instructions about the tests such as not speaking and not copying another student’s work. There were two (2) invigilators, the other one is basically for technical stuff like checking the headsets and the audio.

Test time

8. The Listening papers will be given out. Everyone has a personalised paper which have your candidate number, name, profession, venue, test date and profile photo printed on the front. You need to check the information and sign the front to confirm it is correct. 9. Once everyone has done this, the Listening Test will start. You can complete Listening Part A using pen or pencil but you must mark your answers for Listening Parts B and C using a 2B pencil. There are instructions about how to do this and what to do if you make a mistake on the front of the test booklet. The invigilators will also explain the instructions. You can adjust the volume of your headset according to your preference. 10. At the end of the Listening Test you will be told to put your pens and pencils down and the papers will be collected in. 11. This process will be repeated for Reading Part A and then Parts B and C which are completed together. Like Listening, Reading Part A can be completed in pen or pencil but Reading Parts B and C must be completed in pencil. 12. The invigilators will tell you when you have 5 minutes left for each part so don’t waste too much checking out how much time is left on the clock. 13. The same process is also repeated for Writing. The writing papers will be given out by profession. The invigilators will remind you that you cannot write anything at all during the first 5 minutes. They will also tell you when you have 10 minutes and then 5 minutes left. 14. After the writing test, you will leave the test room. If there is some time before your allocated speaking test, you will be able to collect your bag from the cloakroom area and have some snacks. You will need to repeat steps 2 and 3 before you can go to the waiting area for your speaking test so make sure you come back in good time to do this. My schedule was 1:00pm, so I didn’t have to wait that long. 15. If you have some time, go to the toilet, drink and eat something and try to get some fresh air if possible to refresh your brain.

Speaking test

16. When you go into the room for your speaking test, the interlocutor will greet you and then start the recording device before they check your identity. You will be asked a few questions to help you to relax but these are not assessed. You will have say your test number and your full name for recording purposes. 17. You will be given your first role-card and 2-3 minutes to prepare before the 5 minutes speaking time starts. You will not be able to see the time during the test so continue talking until the interlocutor asks you to stop. This process is repeated for the second role-card. 18. At the end of the Speaking test, you will be directed to collect your belongings from the cloak area and leave. You should not speak to any candidates still waiting to complete their speaking tests.