You're not going to believe this...

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...but I raisedbyignorance...after nearly 3 years finally got a paying a job again. A friend of my mother's had recently got a job as a housekeeper at a rehabilitation nursing home-like center and it was decided that she would put in a good word for me. Last week my mom and I went to the place to fill out an application and I of course did not have all the specific details regarding my job history and work references and I panicked like crazy. I had to redo the application because I screwed up so bad. I put in the application only one reference which was my aunt or my mom since I work at their beauty supply store (this is despite the fact that the application specifically said no family members as references). So seriously just by my application alone, I shouldn't have been called in for an interview but I apparently was hired after my interview despite the fact that my shyness and social anxiety was easily exposed. My manager didn't look at my application at all during the interview. Apparently the place had recently opened up and even after I started, they were still hiring people. It was dumb luck and good timing that my family found out about this job and that we knew someone there that would recommend me.

However job anxiety has settled in. After the first week I did screw up pretty bad (I had put a red shirt in the white laundry) and other things. They were minor screwups but they are enough to put me on edge as to how long this job will last. I even had a dream last night where I was spending most of my shift in the laundry room being on my computer knowing I was risking getting fired. Plus I have to avoid oversleeping to be there by 6am-8am on random days and the place is a rather long drive from my house and starting this job in the wintertime makes me worry what will happen once the snow comes in and it becomes difficult to drive to work and make it there on time. My manager seems pretty laidback and friendly but I still get terribly anxious around him. It does get difficult to clean up all the rooms, clean the dining room after breakfast AND lunch, AND help clean the lobby in my section in a 7 hr shift. I also become too cautious as how much to clean because I don't want to throw away something that might be valuable to a resident.

Also considering the fact that the facility is nearly opened, once it does, I wonder how long it will be until it gets to the point where people like me will get laid off in favor of more competent and sociable workers or if my manager does find out that I broke the rules a little when I filled out the job application. I've only been on the job for a week. I don't even know what my pay is or if I'm getting paid at all (in the application I kept the salary thing blank cause I had no clue what to put there). I also worry that I am not putting in my times properly (as we have to write it in a notepad manually). Any one of these things could get me fired in a typical job and I've been fired for committing worse (I didn't include that specific job in the application). But the way the hiring process is, I am very paranoid on and off work.

Pardon my rant but I had to share and get some thoughts, etc.

That sounds horrible. I would quit after the first day.

It does has its upside though. The biggest one being you don't have to talk to people so much and everything is basically based on a daily routine that never changes. I think I just need more time to find a routine that works for me here.

What an incredibly negative and defeatist thing to say! OP, I say "many congratualtions!! !" It's horrendously tough out there trying to get a job...ANY job and you've got one, that is wonderful Now just try to relax, don't let your anxiety overtake you, you've just started so of course it's nerve-racking but once you've got used to it you'll be fine. I actually had the exact same job years ago, I worked in a nursing home cleaning the rooms and communal areas and doing the laundry and I also got the job because my mother's friend worked there and when she heard about the job she put in a good word for me. I was terrified when I started but I got the hang of it. It was grusome sometimes on the days I had to clean human waste off carpets and walls etc but I stayed there 2 years and I was left alone to do my work which was bliss, I often spent a lot of time reorganizing the linen closet and storeroom of my own accord, many of the residents really liked me because I was polite and nice to them and I'd chat to them, some of the care workers treated them like garbage. Looking back now, despite the minimum wage awful pay and often yucky work, it was actually the best job I ever had and I wish I'd appreciated it more at the time, I wish I could do that job again! I hope it goes well for you and you get used to it and like it there

Yes, congratulations on your new job! As FaeryEthereal has said it can be incredibly difficult to get any job these days so you should be very proud of yourself that you have. And try not to be too anxious raisedbyignorance. For anyone starting a new job there is always a period of adjustment. I started a new job just over a year ago but only now am I starting to feel comfortable at work. I wouldn’t worry too much about your manager finding out that you bent the rules on your job application as the chances are if you’ve been taken on they are happy with what you put. By now your application has most likely been filed away to collect dust.
Employers expect a few minor screw ups at first when you’re learning a new job; and even the occasional screw up for more experienced staff is expected. Everyone is human, we all make mistakes. The main thing your employer will be looking for is that you care that you’ve made the error and that you are looking, ideally not to repeat it. You’re much more likely to get laid off if you give an employer the impression you don’t care; but it’s clear that you do care and I’m sure your employer will see that.
Being cautious about how much the clean because you don’t want the throw away something important to a resident is definitely the right way to be. It shows you’re thinking about what you are doing and considering the residents. And please remember you are not superwoman! You can only do as much as you can do in a 7h shift; and so you shouldn’t feel as if you haven’t done enough. Sometimes things can take longer than expected or you get side tracked into doing something else; this cannot be helped and a good employer will understand. But I do know what you mean. Some days I slog my guts out at work but still experience a nagging feeling of guilt that I haven’t done enough. We shouldn’t feel like this. If things don’t get done it not always because we are not working hard enough, instead perhaps it’s our employers who need to hire more people.
As for getting there in the snow, well if you can’t get there you can’t get there; and even if you turn up late they have to except the fact that you have a fair distance to travel and that in such snowy conditions travel will be difficult. I think the main thing is to try and be on time as much as possible in the good weather so they see you as mostly punctual; then if you can’t get to work for any reason it’s seen as just an aberration and will be accepted.
Filling in timesheets can be a pain. I also have to do this as part of my job, but luckily we have an online timesheet which I think is easier. For this I would say just do your best; if they have any issues with your times they will question it. Last month I had my timesheet queried three times, but that’s just one of those things. They’ll want to get your hours correct as much as you do; so don’t be afraid of asking for assistance, or even suggesting a better way of doing things. If you’re finding it difficult putting it in a notepad manually then the chances are other people might be too.
Concerning wages, I find that employers aren’t very keen on talking about pay; mostly because they are afraid that as soon as they do, you’ll ask for more money. Since it’s clear to both you and your employer that you’re not doing this for charity, to avoid any extra stress, if you can wait for your first pay packet and see what you get; then if you thing you’ve been underpaid you can question it. A good thing to do might be to discreetly speak to someone who does more or less the same job, even if they are slightly more experienced and get an idea how much they are paid. Then you’ll have some means of comparison. Try not to worry. I’ve also been fired before; but am now doing rather well. Just because jobs haven’t worked out before doesn’t mean this one will go the same way. Give it time and I’m sure it’ll work out for you.