The challenge for me is to find a job utilizing the job skills I’ve learned over a lifetime in a venue consistent with my present physical limitations. The great thing about nursing is if one area doesn’t work for you another area will, and that is what I’ve been working on-finding another area that is interesting, rewarding, and that I can perform. This week was a breakthrough for me. After weeks of acute care postings, and medical coding and billing positions, several viable positions have emerged. The pay is not what I’ve been used to, but I’m reconciled to finding a job, the best job I can find, and work part-time so I can finally get my degree, a lifelong goal.
So, having said all that, what employment gems have risen to the surface? Well, on Craigslist I found four offerings with potential. The first one was a contract situation doing blood sugar testing at Walgreen’s. I can do this job and it pays almost $300 a shift, pretty close to hospital wages. How many times will I be able to do this job is unknown at this time. But there are numerous Walgreen’s in this area. Unfortunately, they did not need any one else when I called but I am submitting the application in the event someone cancels .
The other job, for which I interviewed, is an office position. I felt the interview went very well, but I’ve not heard back from them yet. I believe they will notify me one way or another about the job. It pays at least 30% less than my accustomed pay rate but it is part-time and would allow me to go to school two days a week. The job is very interesting because it’s working with two doctors who perform many in-office procedures. The patients are ambulatory, so no lifting! The only other RN in the office has been overworked with the aspects of the job requiring a nurse’s attention so another nurse, as opposed to a technician, would be a great relief to her. The office itself is gorgeous! It is a drive, 29 miles, but not much further than the hospital I was working at. She asked me why someone with my qualifications was applying for the job and I was very candid about my situation. I sure hope it works out.
To increase my hiring potential I’m also applying for another job with a home care agency to provide care on a shift basis to bedridden patients. I’m hoping that if this is what I end up taking it does not prove to be too much for me. The two patients described to me do not sound like too much of a physical challenge. There is also the potential for being able to do some school work as this is essentially a private duty situation. And believe it or not, I have another interview for an out-patient cardiac cath position. This job is potentially the highest paying one, but may require more in the area of physical abilities than I am capable of at this time.
So these are my possibilities. I am so encouraged that there seems to be a break in hiring for positions other than the acute care setting. Maybe the economy is really in an upturn situation! From my perspective it would appear so.