Humbled yet Hopeful

Over the last week at work I have run into several "grey" areas that could be considered unethical, or even illegal, at times. I won't get into too many details (I would be happy to talk in person or via e-mail about it), but Josh and I have been praying about the situation and several things have happened since we began praying:

After praying about it with our bible study Thursday night, I received a call on Friday at lunch from a major Institution (hospital and skilled nursing facility) that I had previously interviewed with in the Pensacola area. Not only did they leave me a message saying that they'd like me to call them back, but they also offered me a job in the voicemail (I thought this was a little nontraditional but saw it as such a God sighting in the midst of my circumstances).

Today I went to work and continued to be faced with questions and a burning conscience and I decided to give my notice to my boss (before accepting the other job or knowing what it was all about- because I decided that regardless of other job prospects, I was not comfortable providing therapy in this place any longer and that I would trust God with the rest).

I am humbled, as I never imagined I would be the type of person to work 47 hours somewhere and then quit, but this is how strongly I felt about the things I was being asked to do. I am thankful for the many ethical questions on my recent board exam, as I kept thinking about those questions and asking myself, "is that what I'm doing?" (Of course, I am also thankful for the Holy Spirit's presence in my life and how he has guided me through this seemingly quick and strange decision).

Josh and I have been asking "why would God lead us to believe this was the right place for me to work if it was going to turn out like this?" I suppose we will not really know until his will unfolds for us/me, but I do know that he is sovereign and that this experience has taught me to never assume and to always ask those tough questions in the workplace. Just because someone else who has a lot of experience is doing something, it might not be okay.

I will begin working for this other institution hopefully next Monday (with a 4.5 day orientation at the Hospital, then 2 weeks of shadowing and co-treating with another therapist). I spent a lot of time talking and "asking the right questions" of my potential new boss to try to make sure this is the place for me. I will begin working in the skilled nursing facility portion of the institution and I then after 3 months or so I will have the opportunity to rotate to the hospital (with another orientation there) if I would like. I have not received an official offer, but hope to be talking to HR the rest of the week.

While I am a little jaded by my first work experience, I am humbled, yet hopeful that I can do what I love in the right way, not compromising patient care or my beliefs about what is right and true.

Proverbs 22: 1-5 reminds me of how God calls me to feel about riches (which is a lot of what my workplace was about- "we'll pay you well if you rake in the money for us")

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;

to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all.

3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

4 Humility and the fear of the LORD
bring wealth and honor and life.

5 In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

Authorized to Test

This morning I received an e-mail that finally authorized me to take my National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy! As nervous as I am for the test, I am also thankful to finally have a date.

I will be taking my exam on Wednesday, January 21 at 1:00 pm in Alabama (about an hour away).

Please pray for my safe travels, smooth orientation process (sometimes people don't have the ID's they need and they get hung up, etc), and good concentration (the test will be 4 hours long).

I should receive word soon about my temporary license and then I will be eligible to work while I wait for my results!

On another note, Josh and I have had a great week. I was able to study quite a bit and I also was able to complete almost all of my pre-employment shenanigans (I even had to get fingerprinted!)

On another note,

One of many answers to prayer is that Josh received some information from someone in his leadership class about an organization called "officer's christian fellowship". I had heard of it but I did not know that it would meet at this base. It has been an interesting game to find out information about how to meet people and get involved, especially some women. They meet near our house on Thursday nights for dinner and a bible study. The group is mostly young marrieds as I understand it. They also have a women's group on Mondays. We are so thrilled about this opportunity to get plugged in somewhere, especially with fellow Christians. We will visit another Church on Sunday and then try to decide where we'd like to settle in. The church we plan to visit is quite a drive, but we've heard really great things about the bible-based teaching, opportunities, congregation, and worship. We will definitely need to prayerfully consider all of these things -we are so happy to have a group to fellowship with in the meantime.

I like hanging out with "the guys", but I'm looking forward to meeting some ladies.

Last night we made 4 home-made pizzas for some friends and watched a basketball game.

Today I will study and Josh plans to play golf with a buddy that is new to the game. He always has been an encouraging teacher!

Well, that's all for now! Thanks for your support and prayers :)

Publishing and Presenting

After receiving the good advice of many, and thinking about it some more, I have decided to submit my research for consideration at the Congress of Spinal Cord Medicine and Rehabilitation.

While I was in the process of discussing minor details with the principal investigator of the study, he asked if I would be interested in being a co-author (with him, myself, and two others) of a publication in a scholarly journal (regarding the development of the test we piloted). I am thrilled about this opportunity, especially considering I will not need to attend to it until I have taken my boards. I suppose, once my foot is in the door, it would be unwise to take it out or I might never open this door again.

Although there is a great possibility that my abstract may not be accepted for this conference, I am thrilled to even entertain the possibility. More to follow...

Ecclesiastes 3: 13, "That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil- this is the gift of God."

What's new

It's only Tuesday and this week has been full of opportunities!

Yesterday, I received my employment packet and my official job offer letter. It sure is a lot of paperwork to fill out!

Josh also has been keeping busy with a leadership course this week (it is required before he begins API- aviation preflight indoctrination). He seems to be enjoying it so far.

Josh also went to a basketball tryout/information session last night to see if he might be interested in playing basketball through an intramural league (it's called "Captains Cup").

Last, but not least, Josh may have the opportunity to get a "family" membership with a few other flight students to one of the nicest golf courses in the area (apparently Boo Weekly has it as a course of record or something like that).

I have been feverishly studying for my occupational therapy exam, as I will likely receive notice of my eligibility to test any day now. The licensing body has received my transcripts and they are now processing my letter to test.

Although I would prefer our busyness for the week stopped there, I received a letter today requesting that I submit my research proposal for consideration at the Congress of Spinal Cord Medicine and Rehabilitation Conference (sponsored by the American Spinal Injury Association). There's just one problem- the deadline is THURSDAY and I'm supposed to be studying! This is an incredible opportunity, so I will be considering it through this evening and I will make a decision by tomorrow. The Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley is even willing to pay for my expenses to present at this conference (it is in Dallas in September).

Well, that's a little taste of our week for now :)

Unofficial Job Acceptance

I have unofficially accepted a full-time position at the skilled nursing facility I interviewed at on Monday. I was waiting to hear from the hospital/skilled nursing facility that I interviewed with a month ago and finally got in touch with the rehab director today. Their hiring process requires that all interested candidates receive an interview before a decision is made. They have had a hard time scheduling interviews with some of the candidates, and now think I may not hear from them until late January/ early February (and that a start date could be as late as March). I have indicated that I continue to be interested, as there could be opportunities for me to work PRN for them in pediatrics or acute care, however, I needed to make a decision about my full-time job for now and have chosen to work for the facility that was able to offer me a job currently.

I am very excited to start working soon and will keep myself busy in the meantime doing pre-working paperwork, studying for boards, and paid orientation at the facility. We have set a flexible start date for the facility as Feb 2nd (to begin skilled OT), however, I will probably orient earlier than that.

It really seems just around the corner now! Yipee!

Job hunting is a full time job!

Well,

Yesterday marked my first "real interview"...well, kind of-haha.

I went to a skilled nursing facility associated with a major hospital in Pensacola for a "peer interview" yesterday. However, the facility is down on therapists and a permanent occupational therapist (they have a few contract therapists as well) who was supposed to be a part of the peer interview was stuck in South Florida from a weekend flight. The rehab director asked if I could come back on Wednesday for the "peer interview".

Needless to say, I was able to meet with the rehabilitation director (the person I had a telephone interview with) and I went for a tour of the facility. I also stayed for a holiday lunch provided by one of the physical therapists to mix and mingle (as many of the therapists at the lunch would be the ones in my peer interview on Wednesday). I was disappointed about the interview being postponed, however, it seemed like a positive experience overall and I hope I left a great impression :).

This morning I met with an employment "person" (don't remember his official title) at the Fleet and Family Support Center on base. I mainly met with him to discuss how I might get an "in" with health care jobs related to the federal government (I had applied to an open OT position at the VA in October but have not heard about my application and there is no way for me to contact the facility directly). Anyways, this gentleman was incredibly helpful and kind in helping me understand how to apply for a job with the federal government (i.e. doing exactly the opposite of what I assumed- I had assumed being concise and brief would be preferred). He gave me several websites to post a "profile" on and many tips on how to rearrange my resume for this type of job. Last but certainly not least, he had a contact at the VA and was able to call the department I was applying to and left a message with one of the therapists to have the supervisor call him back. I was so thankful for the help only he was able to provide (as it would not have been preferred for me to try to contact these people directly). I am hoping to hear back from this man regarding what might be some useful steps for how to get an "in", etc etc. While I may not get a job with the federal government at this duty station, it is a long application process and it can only help to do these things now. This summer the President introduced a new legislation that gives military spouses priority for jobs with the federal government, however, the man I spoke with said it might take awhile for everyone to get on the same page.

So, I have a few things boiling in my pot and I am hoping for a great opportunity! It is a funny time of year being that I am initiating these things and then Josh and I will leave for CT, but I'm sure it will all work out.

Now I am off to rework all of my applications, try to recover our missing household goods, change my health care insurance provider, and maybe, just maybe I'll get some studying in!

Occupational Therapy....Here I come!

It has been a long road to pursue my career in occupational therapy (or at least it has certainly seemed that way at times)! Today I felt I made some progress towards actually working as an "OT" some day....finally!

Today I applied to take my boards and applied for Florida licensure- fun, but expensive business apparently!

Just when I thought we were done with all the "fees" related to becoming an OT, there was another around the corner. Oh well, just the way it is I suppose.

Tomorrow I will take an online course in medical error prevention. In two weeks I will get my CPR re-certification. And in a few months I will actually take my boards.

On another note,

I suppose part of being a big girl and getting a job means having a more versatile form of transportation rather than "going into work" with the hubby when I need to run errands. Josh and I had fun test driving some cars and hope to get me a set of wheels before I begin my job. I have historically not particularly enjoyed driving, however, I'm hoping to turn over a new leaf in the new year and feel safe and confident at the wheel, rather than depending on my trusty and loving chauffeur all the time.

Edgar can testify to the fact that it's not easy getting old and having responsibilities-after all, he actually had to move "downstairs" in his guinea palace while I cleaned the "upstairs" (shelf). Today I noticed that our tailored "plan my move" calendar (courtesy of the military) suggested we begin talking with our "children" about the upcoming move and select "age appropriate" books as a resource- I considered writing them for suggestions on books to provide our beloved guinea pig, but somehow, I think he'll make it....as long as green beans are involved.

Phone interviews and real interviews!

Well, after 3 rather "money/productivity" focused phone interviews, I was beginning to think this is just what health care has come to! While I have many potential job opportunities simmering, I learned of a really neat opportunity today.

I had a phone interview with a rehab coordinator (and Physical Therapist) today that seemed to go really well. It was more of an interview than the others really because the other 3 went something like this: when can you start? How much do you want to make?

This interview actually required thought! I was rather stumped by some of her questions (e.g. how do you measure success?), but hopefully I managed to come up with an impressive answer ;).

I learned a lot about the facility and what they are currently looking for. They are looking for an OT to either work only at their skilled nursing facility or to split the day in half and work half the day at the acute care hospital and half of the day at the long term care facility. One neat thing about this facility is that there could be opportunities to get a wide range of experiences (with pediatrics at the hospital, adults, and older adults). Anyways, I have an "official" peer interview where I will be asked questions by a panel of therapists at the facility on December 15th. It seems so far away but I know these next several weeks will fly by!

One really neat thing about the facility is the opportunity available to be mentored by other therapists and to provide care to people regardless of whether or not they can pay for it (a very similar mission to Jefferson Hospital where I did a clinical that I enjoyed).

Well, that's all for now!