The requirements

I was really frantic this morning because after 6 months of being a bum, I’ll be able to hunt for job again. The night before, I prepared all the requirements from resume to transcript of record to board rating. I was really ready to apply for a job since I am in dire need of things to do right now. I really want to be busy and at the same time, earn money. Of course, I also want to enhance my nursing skills and gain more clinical experience.

I arrived in the hospital just in time. The lady in the Human Resource Department asked me to wait for a couple of minutes. And so I did. After 48 years, the lady asked me what position I am applying for.

Me: Staff Nurse po *gives the requirements*
HRD Lady: Nasaan yun board rating mo? *scans my papers*
Me: Eto po… *shows the asked requirement*
HRD Lady: Oh.. I see. May cut off na kase kame. 80 and above lang na board rating ang tinatanggap namin. Nakita mo na ba yun nakapaskil sa labas?
Me: Po? May bago na po ba?
HRD Lady: Oo, basahin mo na lang sa labas *returns my papers*
Me: Sige po. Thank you po. *disappointed*

I was so dismayed when I found out that they only accept 80 and above board rating but on the other hand, I understand the rationale behind it. They are just protecting their patients from harm since we are talking about LIVES here.

So I went to another hospital with little hope since it’s also one of the prestigious hospitals in the metro. Their HRD lady is more friendly than the previous one. Again, she asked for the board rating…

HRD Lady 2: Complete na requirements mo, iha?
Me: Opo. Second application ko na po ito. Di po yata ako natawagan before.
HRD Lady 2: Kelan ka nag-apply?
Me: Nung December 2006 po.
HRD Lady 2: Ano ba board rating mo?
Me: Seventy-tooooot po.
HRD Lady 2: Ahh. Eh kase that time, ang kinuha lang namin ay yun mga may board rating na 80 and above
Me: Ganon po ba? Eh ngayon po? *starting to lose hope*
HRD Lady 2: Di ko lang alam. Let’s just see. We’ll just call you for your schedule of examination.
Me: Thank you po.

Hay. I never really thought about this when I was in college.

All I knew is that I have to study hard and show them remarkable grades when I apply for a job. That’s what I did when I was in college. I really worked hard to attain high grades. I had sleepless nights just to be one of the highest in our examinations. I made my parents proud. Although like what I’ve mentioned before, I wasn’t able to get in in the cum laude list because of that effin’ 0.1 grade. Oh c’mon.

When I first took the board exam, I really did my best. I took it seriously because I wanted to top the board. Unfortunately, I passed but I didn’t get a high grade. I think the highest in our batch got 81%. That’s how unearthly our exam was. Haha.

Now, I am going to hospital-hop. I am still hoping that they would accept us - those who weren’t lucky to get an 80 and above grade.

Now to all those nursing students out there, you really have to strive hard. I. Am. Telling. You. You entered a world where life is not easy.

It’s like a search for the next idol or search for the next star….

Out of thousands of applicants, only a few will be chosen.

Good luck to you. And to me. Now, pray for me.