So Jim had his interview today, and it went really well. He interviewed with the RN Unit Manager and RN Clinical Manager who co-manage a Surgical ICU and Surgical Step-Down Unit. He said he got a really great vibe from both of them, in particular the RN Clinical Manager he said seemed really engaged and excited about her work, which generally translates into the overall staff vibe.
The position is officially part-time, but they said that even their part-time staff are generally working full-time hours by picking up additional shifts. The part-time thing might be a nice situation actually. He'd have 10 weeks of training where he'd be working full-time hours anyway, and then he'd have a lot of flexibility to float to other depts or pick up other hours as he wanted to. They only have to work every 3rd weekend, his current floor they work every other weekend. And they have a rotation for nights where they get put on nights for a week every 6th week at the most.
They asked him to come in and shadow for a 4 hour shift and get a feel for the floor, the rapport between the surgeons and the nurses (which apparently is very different than interactions between medical dr's and nurses, surgeons and nurses collaborate more intensely on patient care which Jim would love) and then let them know how it went.
Fingers crossed for this opportunity being a good fit on both sides!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Yay for Monday!
So Jim is home, and my mood has definitely improved. After a crazy week of him prepping for his trip to Nicaragua and then him being gone and me playing the single parent role for a week, it is so good to have him home!
He got back late Saturday night, Em and I picked him up from the airport. I recognized his backpack from the other side of the baggage claim area as we were walking in and so did Em, she bolted, ran across the baggage claim area and tackled him. The group Jim was traveling with thought that was quite a welcome home greeting. She missed her Papa no doubt!
So we've been just catching up, letting him try to get some rest, and talking about his experiences from the trip. He took over 600 photos in the 8 days he was gone. From hiking a volcano to spending a day on a private beach on the Pacific side of Nicaragua, he had some gorgeous shots of the local landscape. Also several days of more health care related things, visiting a local orphanage and working on PT with the kids who were physically and mentally handicapped. He spent a day in the local woman's hospital and helped care for new babies, post-partum moms and high-risk pregnancies. The pictures of the kids are just amazing, from babies to toddlers to school-agers their eyes are just so gorgeous. You just want to scoop them up through the photos and smooch them. Gorgeous kids who are so happy with so little. We sent a backpack stuffed with toys and goodies that Jim took to the after school program that the organization runs and Jim said it just about caused a riot the kids were so excited. The backpack went to a child that had just received a scholarship to attend 7th grade. The government only offers education through the 6th grade and then it's only from 9 until 12 noon each day. So going to school beyond that is a huge privilege for them.
Jim finally got around to listening to his missed voice mails on his cell on Sunday evening and found he had 2 from the nurse manager of the surgical ICU at the hospital he currently works in, wanting him to come in and interview for an RN position. That was a FABulous way to wrap up the weekend!
He got back late Saturday night, Em and I picked him up from the airport. I recognized his backpack from the other side of the baggage claim area as we were walking in and so did Em, she bolted, ran across the baggage claim area and tackled him. The group Jim was traveling with thought that was quite a welcome home greeting. She missed her Papa no doubt!
So we've been just catching up, letting him try to get some rest, and talking about his experiences from the trip. He took over 600 photos in the 8 days he was gone. From hiking a volcano to spending a day on a private beach on the Pacific side of Nicaragua, he had some gorgeous shots of the local landscape. Also several days of more health care related things, visiting a local orphanage and working on PT with the kids who were physically and mentally handicapped. He spent a day in the local woman's hospital and helped care for new babies, post-partum moms and high-risk pregnancies. The pictures of the kids are just amazing, from babies to toddlers to school-agers their eyes are just so gorgeous. You just want to scoop them up through the photos and smooch them. Gorgeous kids who are so happy with so little. We sent a backpack stuffed with toys and goodies that Jim took to the after school program that the organization runs and Jim said it just about caused a riot the kids were so excited. The backpack went to a child that had just received a scholarship to attend 7th grade. The government only offers education through the 6th grade and then it's only from 9 until 12 noon each day. So going to school beyond that is a huge privilege for them.
Jim finally got around to listening to his missed voice mails on his cell on Sunday evening and found he had 2 from the nurse manager of the surgical ICU at the hospital he currently works in, wanting him to come in and interview for an RN position. That was a FABulous way to wrap up the weekend!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Post Weekend Let Down
I am definitely feeling down today and all I can chalk it up to is that the past weekend was so full of excitement and fun that there was nowhere to go but down. Kind of like the day after Christmas when you were a kid.
So Jim's pinning was Friday evening, Graduation was Saturday afternoon and then my niece's graduation from college was Sunday morning with a party in the afternoon for both her and Jim. It was a whirlwind of a weekend but so good to get to see so many family and friends and celebrate! Jim graduated with honors, Cum Laude, and as part of Sigma Theta Tau, the National Honor Society of Nursing. I am so proud of him!
On Saturday evening we drove to Dayton (about an hour from where we were in Columbus) so we would be there and ready for my niece's graduation from my alma mater on Sunday morning. I LOVE being back on campus, the University of Dayton is such a beautiful place, especially in the spring. After the party I convinced Jim and Em that we need to drive by campus on the way back to Columbus and walk around to see all the changes that had happened in the last year. UD graduation is in their arena which isn't on campus so we had to make a trip specifically to walk around. We stopped at the book store and get Emily a t-shirt, then found they'd installed a new fountain on campus, the kind perfect for a little kid to take their shoes off and run around in on a hot day. It was 84 and gorgeous out so we spent a half hour just letting her play and enjoying a mental break after such a hectic weekend before we headed home.
Today it's back to the grind of work and school. Jim is working 4 days in a row this week to make up for having to take next week off for his trip to Nicaragua. He works 2nd shift so that means we'll be sleeping in the same bed but never up when the other is. Hate weeks like that.
On a happier note, here are some of my favorite photos from the weekend.
So Jim's pinning was Friday evening, Graduation was Saturday afternoon and then my niece's graduation from college was Sunday morning with a party in the afternoon for both her and Jim. It was a whirlwind of a weekend but so good to get to see so many family and friends and celebrate! Jim graduated with honors, Cum Laude, and as part of Sigma Theta Tau, the National Honor Society of Nursing. I am so proud of him!
On Saturday evening we drove to Dayton (about an hour from where we were in Columbus) so we would be there and ready for my niece's graduation from my alma mater on Sunday morning. I LOVE being back on campus, the University of Dayton is such a beautiful place, especially in the spring. After the party I convinced Jim and Em that we need to drive by campus on the way back to Columbus and walk around to see all the changes that had happened in the last year. UD graduation is in their arena which isn't on campus so we had to make a trip specifically to walk around. We stopped at the book store and get Emily a t-shirt, then found they'd installed a new fountain on campus, the kind perfect for a little kid to take their shoes off and run around in on a hot day. It was 84 and gorgeous out so we spent a half hour just letting her play and enjoying a mental break after such a hectic weekend before we headed home.
Today it's back to the grind of work and school. Jim is working 4 days in a row this week to make up for having to take next week off for his trip to Nicaragua. He works 2nd shift so that means we'll be sleeping in the same bed but never up when the other is. Hate weeks like that.
On a happier note, here are some of my favorite photos from the weekend.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Waiting, and why I stink at it.
I am an impatient person. I have been patient for the last 4 years while Jim was in school. But now that he has graduated and passed his boards I feel like each day that passes without a job offer, or really even a nibble of interest, is an eternity. I'm sure it feels worse for him.
He had an interview last week with the Unit Mgr who runs the unit he currently works on as a PCA. According to Jim the interview went well. But. The position they interviewed him for begins in June, and they haven't even posted the job online yet, meaning they can't officially offer it to him even if they wanted to. And sooooooo my stretched thin patience is being tested. And I'm trying not to constantly pester... did you hear anything today? How about this afternoon? How about in the last hour, anything?
I'm taking off from work early to pick up my niece, who is a freshman at Ohio State (2 minutes from my office) and take her home with me. My parents are driving in from New York and will be at our house by the time I get home. Em's first communion is tomorrow! Then a big party with her cousin the next day. The weather isn't planning to cooperate, chilly and rainy. Not great for wearing a sleeveless white dress but whatcha gonna do? Guess we'll throw her winter parka over it and hope it's warm in the church at least.
Next weekend is Jim's graduation, and another niece's graduation from college. That should be fun. My parents will be back for Jim's graduation on Saturday and then after dinner we're all driving to the town where my niece's graduation is happening going out to dinner together and we're all staying over in a nice hotel near the university. Pool time for Emily! She can show off her new swimming skills to my mom and dad, she's quite the little fish.
So I wonder if he heard anything in the 10 minutes it took me to write this post.... I should text and ask.
He had an interview last week with the Unit Mgr who runs the unit he currently works on as a PCA. According to Jim the interview went well. But. The position they interviewed him for begins in June, and they haven't even posted the job online yet, meaning they can't officially offer it to him even if they wanted to. And sooooooo my stretched thin patience is being tested. And I'm trying not to constantly pester... did you hear anything today? How about this afternoon? How about in the last hour, anything?
I'm taking off from work early to pick up my niece, who is a freshman at Ohio State (2 minutes from my office) and take her home with me. My parents are driving in from New York and will be at our house by the time I get home. Em's first communion is tomorrow! Then a big party with her cousin the next day. The weather isn't planning to cooperate, chilly and rainy. Not great for wearing a sleeveless white dress but whatcha gonna do? Guess we'll throw her winter parka over it and hope it's warm in the church at least.
Next weekend is Jim's graduation, and another niece's graduation from college. That should be fun. My parents will be back for Jim's graduation on Saturday and then after dinner we're all driving to the town where my niece's graduation is happening going out to dinner together and we're all staying over in a nice hotel near the university. Pool time for Emily! She can show off her new swimming skills to my mom and dad, she's quite the little fish.
So I wonder if he heard anything in the 10 minutes it took me to write this post.... I should text and ask.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
TOO MUCH PAPERWORK
To all parents of grade school kids, are you with me on the fact that there is just TOO MUCH paper coming home from school with your child? It's not just worksheets and drawings, it's permission slips, and reading logs, progress reports, report cards, Scholastic Book Club flyers, a weekly newsletter to parents, updates from the principal, info from the after-school program, the after school program reading log... 'TIS CRAZINESS I say.
Some days I can barely get the kitchen table cleaned off so the 3 of us have room to eat.
I suppose it doesn't help that I'm also trying to get Emily signed up for activities over the summer so there are forms for those, plus medical release forms, and your 3 contacts in case of an emergency, oh yes, and then there are the forms for religious education classes next year, and a sign-up form for a group activity at church school next Sunday.... It is making me crazy. Oh wait, then there's the sign-up forms for the next session of swim lessons at the YMCA. And next year's Food Action Plan from the school for her tree nut allergy and after school program to be filled out in triplicate.
I have this genius idea that if I had more time I would spearhead, I think that there should be an on-line database for the medical forms and emergency contact info on-line for each community. A parent fills this out ONCE and then the school, after-school programs, YMCA, daycamps, summer camps and churches can all access the forms for the child in a centralized place when you give them a secure password. Then if you change your child's pediatrician you only have to change the on-line form and all the places that utilize that form are instantly updated. It's genius right?! Google Docs would be great for this. Someday I'll get on that. But for now I've got to get back to filling out permission slips.
Meh.
Some days I can barely get the kitchen table cleaned off so the 3 of us have room to eat.
I suppose it doesn't help that I'm also trying to get Emily signed up for activities over the summer so there are forms for those, plus medical release forms, and your 3 contacts in case of an emergency, oh yes, and then there are the forms for religious education classes next year, and a sign-up form for a group activity at church school next Sunday.... It is making me crazy. Oh wait, then there's the sign-up forms for the next session of swim lessons at the YMCA. And next year's Food Action Plan from the school for her tree nut allergy and after school program to be filled out in triplicate.
I have this genius idea that if I had more time I would spearhead, I think that there should be an on-line database for the medical forms and emergency contact info on-line for each community. A parent fills this out ONCE and then the school, after-school programs, YMCA, daycamps, summer camps and churches can all access the forms for the child in a centralized place when you give them a secure password. Then if you change your child's pediatrician you only have to change the on-line form and all the places that utilize that form are instantly updated. It's genius right?! Google Docs would be great for this. Someday I'll get on that. But for now I've got to get back to filling out permission slips.
Meh.
Random Thoughts
So, a minor job update, Jim has his first interview tomorrow!
It's on the MICU floor he currently works on as a PCA so if he hadn't been asked to interview there I would have been REALLY surprised. With the hiring freeze in place at the hospital system this is probably his one opportunity to be employed before the end of June. So even though he would prefer NOT to work for the management on his current floor if they offered it to him he'll really have to consider it. He is also branching out and applying at one of the other major hospital systems just to get a feel for the interest level and pay differential between a not-for-profit and a for-profit. He currently works for a not-for-profit Catholic hospital system.
The 6 month grace period on his student loans is up in June. Since he only took 10 credit hours during the spring semester he hasn't been considered a full-time student since December.
Emily's First Communion is in less than 2 weeks now. Only 2 1/2 weeks until Jim's graduation and about 3 1/2 weeks until he leaves for Nicaragua. Life is rolling on!
It's on the MICU floor he currently works on as a PCA so if he hadn't been asked to interview there I would have been REALLY surprised. With the hiring freeze in place at the hospital system this is probably his one opportunity to be employed before the end of June. So even though he would prefer NOT to work for the management on his current floor if they offered it to him he'll really have to consider it. He is also branching out and applying at one of the other major hospital systems just to get a feel for the interest level and pay differential between a not-for-profit and a for-profit. He currently works for a not-for-profit Catholic hospital system.
The 6 month grace period on his student loans is up in June. Since he only took 10 credit hours during the spring semester he hasn't been considered a full-time student since December.
Emily's First Communion is in less than 2 weeks now. Only 2 1/2 weeks until Jim's graduation and about 3 1/2 weeks until he leaves for Nicaragua. Life is rolling on!
Monday, April 9, 2012
NCLEX results!
.... and he passed!!! I really didn't have any doubt but it's nice to know for sure. So Jim is now a board certified BSN-RN. He got the results on Monday and then the official certificate showed up in the mail on Saturday. Here's hoping the next news I have to share is that he's nailed a job in his preferred dept, either ER, ICU, MICU or CICU, sense a theme? He likes drama, and lots of it to keep him on his toes!
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