Misunderstood about a job possibility...

I'm in need of a job and during one of my night classes, I was talking about it with the people who sit at my table, about how times have changed, etc.
One of them said that he knew a place where I might be able to get a job. The way he played it was that it was a home for children with mental disabilities, and that was really it. He said he'd get my the information.
He did, and basically told me to call his wife and ask about using her as a reference, and then calling the place.
I mentioned that I had talked with some of my friends who had worked with children with mental disorders. When I mentioned "children" though, he stopped me and said that it wasn't a place for children. He said that they're all adults there, but just "act like children".
I literally have zero experience with people who have mental disorders, and now that it's a hospital and not a home or school (which I thought it was), I'm kinda...well, nervous, I guess.
I'm not completely sure what to do.
I know I need to call his wife, but I'm not exactly sure of what to say, and I'm terribly frustrated because I need a job so badly, but can't get a call back or an interview from anywhere, and I feel like I might be throwing a chance at one away. But so many things in my life are changing (like starting college, moving out soon, trying to get a job), it all feels like too much, and I'm scared to take on so much responsibility.
I just don't even know what to do Happy

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5 replies since 29th September 2011 • Last reply 29th September 2011

Reply #1:

If you don't feel comfortable working at a job you don't have to work there. I would just call the wife and explain that you had misunderstood and believed you'd be working with children (which by the way would not have been easier than working with adults) and that you don't feel capable of the job at the moment. You're probably too young to be doing such work as it is and that's the sort of job that probably should go to an experienced adult who isn't in college and can deal with that sort of stress. I'm sure your friend doesn't want you to do something that will overwhelm you. He'll understand. Just be grateful for the opportunity but firm in your decision.

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Reply #2:

Why not go and see? Approach it with an openmind, you might be surprised. I have a friend who works with adults who have varying severities of mental health issues and she finds it really rewarding.
And by talking through your reservations with your prospective employers, you are showing a level of maturity that they may not have expected.
You certaintly don't have anything to lose, other than half an hour of your time, by talking to them about it; and you never know, it might actually appeal to you!

BUT, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THINKING THAT IT'S NOT FOR YOU.
Whilst I have a huge amount of respect for what my friend does (the project cares for 4 adults with various mental health issues who have all been hospitalised longterm, under phsyciatric care but have now been released and are living in their own accomodation) I know that I could never do it.

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Reply #3:

I second Bindiibabe you never know until you try! My husband actually does work like this and although I know I am not capable of it, he does very well there. As to what your friend said "they are like children" he is right, they are basically the same level of difficulty as a child with the same disabilities would be, just on a bigger body. I know it sounds overwhelming at first, when my husband first got his job 3 years ago he was hesitant and didn't expect to remain there for long. After the first month (which would be hard anywhere new), he started to really enjoy it and has found effective ways of engaging and interacting with his residents. Don't sell yourself short, alot of the people employed at my husbands job are in college or around that age, in some ways I think they are better equipped because they are not set in their ways yet and haven't adapted a rigid mindset when it comes to handling problems.
I don't know how this particular job is but it sounds like a "home" I work at a nursing home and it's just like working in their home, but with a more professional setting. Good luck, I am sure you will figure it out, if anything you should at least call the lady and try getting the job, if you do get accept it, you can always quit if it's not for you.

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Reply #4:

Well, I called the lady and talked to her for a bit, and found that I can't really do the job at all :o
Apparently they need someone to do night shifts and to work full time.
Thank you all for helping me Happy Gave me something to thing about.

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Reply #5:

Well at least she knows you're loooking for something, so if anythingelse comes up, she might keep you in mind.
Hope you find something soon.

(The company I work for are desperate for extra staff - the commute would be a killer though ;P )

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