Want some cheese with that whine?

It's been brutal at work. I got back after 10 days off on Tuesday and changes had occurred originating from managers and filtering to the nurses. Working for the state of Utah means I make 18% less than other states and agencies, according to the most recent market analysis. The standard line is that the pay is not great but the benefits make up for it.

Well, not so much any more.

The legislature has eliminated much of what is good about it. Morale is in the toilet, we have huge caseloads and can't get caught up. We haven't had a raise or even COLA in 4 years, our health insurance is not great (Last year I had to pay a $420 copay for an antibiotic), deductibles are up, benefits are down and they took away our flexible schedule. Now they have shuffled us and I need to drive twice a week to another location, adding 40 minutes to my day and costing more in gas. I can't go home for lunch on those two days and I know how hard it is to split time between two places. Inevitably whatever I need is at the other office... and to make matters worse, they're bringing in another nurse to be in my office those two days and I get a whole new caseload. Just when you think you're starting to settle in...

So, that's today's rant. I know, I know, I'm supposed to just be grateful I have a job. That's what the legislature is banking on anyway. And I am grateful - really! But, would it be so bad to get a little respect and appreciation? I think I would like to retire.

Time to update

When Chris said today that he didn't know I was working in Bountiful now I realized I've been so busy obtaining, transitioning to, learning, and now doing the new job I haven't even blogged about it.  For the record's sake I started May 16.

So, my job is interesting, challenging and I think I'm going to like it. PLUS, it's so close to home I could walk there if I got up early enough. I start at 7:30 AM and that's already a stretch for me.  During the training I spent the first month commuting to Ogden, the next three weeks in Clearfield - leaving the house at 6:45 AM was rough for this night person!  Now I can leave at 7:25 and I can come home for lunch.  Today I took the dog for a walk after I ate a bite. I'm even close enough to run to Chris's house to show it to a potential renter and stop by the Farmer's Market on Thursdays, which closes at 7 - in the past I couldn't make it. I'll try to resist shopping at Yours, Mine, and Ours (local consignment shop that stays open late - to 7 PM on Wednesdays).

The job is working with DCFS and I'm finding it's a mix of what I did at all my previous jobs - what I did at Head Start, psych that I did at the Child, Adolescent and Family Center, baby stuff like I did in the hospital newborn nursery, a little bit of women/newborn stuff like I did with WeeCare and a bit of social work, family observation, education, epidemiology like I did at Davis County Health Dept. and very extensive charting. The challenge there is writing so it can be read and understood by non-medical people if needed in family court or by case workers. So, all the abbreviations we used as nurses and shortened sentences without subjects (i.e. "spoke with pt.). Now it's "I spoke with _____ (by name), foster mother of _______ (by name) and we discussed...."  I am so glad I took typing in junior high!  I've also used databases and other programs enough to be quite comfortable even with a very challenging one they use here.

I find every job I've had thus far, including that of mom/grandma taught me what I need for this one. I guess it's meant to be, or at least progression, and maybe the challenge will help keep my mind from deteriorating too rapidly. I was resisting learning so much new stuff but I'm sure it's good to stretch the brain a bit, even at my age.  I have to admit I could almost do the last job in my sleep.  Might as well keep busy until I'm ready to play checkers in the park, or until my ship comes in...

The New Job Update

I'm halfway through my second week on the new job - or should I say learning the new job? The people here in Ogden are incredibly nice but there is a lot to learn. One of the computer programs we use is a dinosaur - reminds me of DOS I used in 1995. The other database/tracking program is huge, cumbersome and not nearly as user-friendly as my custom-made WeeCare database program - though I can see that it can do a lot once I learn the ropes and glitches. Naturally, the home-grown program was easier and mydbsolutions did a fantastic job creating it and adapting it to our needs. I was spoiled with that one. Now, I'll try to keep from going crazy with the tedious stuff and hope I can find ways to make this job interesting too.  I'm anxious to get to my real office in Bountiful and that will cut down my commute to practically nothing - yay!  But, I'll be flying on my own so mixed feelings.  I must say it's uncomfortable not having a "real" home, using a temporary laptop computer in a borrowed office while I learn.  I guess it's my nesting instinct but it just doesn't feel like home yet.  I miss my old friends/coworkers too!  This is all to be expected of course.  I'm hoping the Bountiful office folks will be good to work with too.  I'm told they will be happy to finally have their own full-time nurse.  Time will tell.  And I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks - at least I hope so...

Good News!

This week is tedious training on the new job but the good news is they are going to let me work from Bountiful every day!  I will still have a case load that will include some in Ogden but I can do it from Bountiful just as easily.  They tell me the office will not be as nice and likely a cubicle but I will take it!!  Considering gas prices and time, it will be fantastic.  I could even run home for lunch.  Yeah, baby!

Farewell Party for me!

My friends at work threw me a chocolate party to say good-bye.  I've been there almost 8 years and they were kind enough to remember my favorite things and people.  My partner, Kathy, took these photos so she's not here, though she was the party planner.  She also missed getting pics of the spread!

Dave, Marie, Me, Ronke, Debby, Darlene

Lois, Nan, Judy, Deborah, Jenny, Jessica, Darlene

Jessica, Marie and I

Ronke, Me, Lois, Laurie, Debby, Jenny, Darlene

Nan, Darlene, Jessica

Deborah, Judy and me 

If I'd known we were having a party I'd have combed my hair...

Kathy, Darlene (the other 2/3 of WeeCare)

National Nurses Week

I start my new job next Monday.  It is with mixed emotions for sure.  I have loved the WeeCare program and have made some improvements that I feel good about.  I have also learned a lot, as I have with each job I have done in the past.  New is always a little bit scary.  The learning curve makes it uncomfortable.  The new names, schedules, politics, etc. are always challenging.  I'm doubtful I will have the same flexibility of hours I have had here.  The other nurse, Kathy, likes early mornings; I prefer to come in later and stay later.  This may not be an option there.  To top it off, the legislature overturned the governor's veto meaning we will be losing our four-day work week.  It was one of the few remaining perks in an otherwise often thankless and underpaid place of employment.  Even with cost of living costs rising we have had no COLAs or any other raises for about 4 years.  I have been with the state almost 8 years and the transfer to a different division is still within state employment so it should be pretty seamless I think, aside from the learning curve, the stress and the summer I was not planning to start a new job - much more I would rather be doing. 

Not me!

In honor of nurse's week I'm posting a photo of a cap similar to the one I had, but refused to wear.  The age of caps was coming to a close and I chose this as an area of rebellion.  If the male nursing students didn't have to wear one, we should not be required.  Since we had about 4 or 5 male students and several of us protested, they had little choice but the requirement was dropped with some ill-feeling.  By graduation most of the nurses decided to do the "cap thing."  As a result I was one of only a few in my class who graduated capless.  It was a stand I took and was unwilling to compromise for the sake of pageantry.  I felt if my point were valid, and I believe it was, adding it at the time of graduation would be hypocritical.  Most of the younger students were unwilling to stand out like that.  I suppose part of it was about what it represented but I found it somewhat laughable that those 20 year olds (I was in my early 30s) were not that strong when it came to ceremony.  I felt they watered down the cause but we all have to do what we have to do.

Caps never made sense from what I can see and I don't regret being one of the first to lose it officially.  I don't often rebel but in this I did.  I did feel badly that more of the students didn't stand up for what they claimed to believe!

It turns out last week was Public Employee Appreciation Week.  Ironic that it was just prior to the change in our benefits - not for the better.

Another weekend...

I am grateful for the job offer.  I will be in the Fostering Healthy Children program as a case manager for the health care needs of children in foster care.  It will be a difficult clientele compared to what I have been doing in WeeCare and I loved doing the blog so I will miss that.  But I think the people I work with will be good and it looks like two days a week I will be in Bountiful.  How perfect is that?  The main office is in Ogden so two days will be there.  They tell me it's a very nice office.  Bountiful is very small.  And, I will be able to continue my four day work week.  A change of jobs is always stressful but this will be less so than starting over as a new employee at PEHP.  It means simply a transfer so my benefits go with me.  Still there is stress and that's not welcome right now.  I guess I had "settled in" where I was so that didn't require much of me.  It takes about six months to learn a new position.  They tell me a year to really be confident in it.  Anyway I'm still a state employee and that has its positives and negatives.  I just wasn't sensing much positive with PEHP.  The work environment means a lot to me.  I think this will be good and it is an answer to my prayers.

I have been very, very busy.  I've enjoyed the attention of many friends.  

Options in work

Since PEHP is taking WeeCare in-house at the end of our contract (June 30) they offered me a position there. However, it looks like I will lose accrued sick leave and go back to the bottom of the totem pole.  It is also an insurance environment and it appears to be less flexible and I would lose my 4-day work week. Because of this, as much as I love doing WeeCare and maintaining the WeeCare blog, I have been watching for other opportunities to stay with the state. Yesterday I received word from a director of another program telling me about a position available. It would be based in Ogden rather than Salt Lake, but it would be a lateral transfer. I'm going to talk with her about it on Thursday. I also applied for another position but it was a long shot and would have required some additional education commitment and time/money are at a premium.  I guess there are just so many things I would rather be doing right now...

I think my prayers are being answered because I will have options. That's nice, except it also means decisions and that can be hard.

Nice Day!

There's still the job thing...

I applied for another one with the state.  I think I'm qualified but on paper it may not look like it - unless it's experience and common sense they want, along with some things that they just don't teach in college :)  Hard to show in these scannable or online prescreening forms.  But, I like the idea of staying there in a different position rather than the alternative, though I hate giving up WeeCare and the blog I do for that program. I also enjoy being part of the State Health Department's Maternal and Infant Health Program.  I work with remarkable women!  (Beyond our group of 11 there are also some remarkable men here).  We do what we do because we love it; not because the pay is great.  Benefits are OK, not as good as they once were and the legislature has not been kind to us in compensation.  Budget cuts affect us all, but when you work with great friends it's all good.

I guess I need to back up.  PEHP (insurance) contracted with the state for this program (WeeCare) which I manage along with one more nurse and a secretary.  They have made the decision to take us in-house.  The good news (I think) is that they want us and have no intention of opening the position to anyone else.  The bad news is that it's an insurance environment; not a public health environment.  I never saw myself as an insurance nurse (in my mind, they are the gatekeepers).  Insurance is something we love to hate and can't live without.  It just doesn't feel like me.  It's frustrating because I love my job.  Of course there are some things that are not as great as I would like (pay for instance!) but I like going to work, enjoy what I do, feel valued and valuable, and I'm good at what I do.  I don't know if this will be a good fit and it's always the unknown that scares me.  Wish I had gotten some warm fuzzies when we met with them...

It would be the time for a career change if I were going to do it since I'm going to be back at the bottom of the totem pole anyway.  The only outside jobs that have been semi-interesting and for which I am qualified are either hospital hours I hate or part-time/on call.  I actually need to pay the bills so I can't really do that.  If I thought relocation was in my future, this would also be the time to decide that.  There's a part-time position in Utah county - too far from here though.  Another one in Ogden - again on-call.  But, who knows where I'm supposed to be now?  (I can always find lines from a song to fit any occasion ~ Another Suitcase from Evita - "...where am I going to?" ) So, I guess I'll leave it in God's hands.  He's in charge anyway.  But, still I apply - I can't expect him to bring me the job.  That has only happened a couple of times in my life - where I was offered a job I hadn't even applied for.

Aside from that stress (updating the resume, selling myself, jumping through the hoops) it was a very nice day.  Photoshoot with Jon....was... fun!

Help Wanted?

I think I need to find additional work.  I love working for the state but the legislators have not been kind to us over the past few years (no raises, loss of benefits, higher deductibles and insurance copays...).  I need additional income.  As much as I hate to give up weekends, I think I need to find something.  Of course I'm a little bit particular about what I want to do if I give up my limited free time, but I'm open to suggestions. 

Back to work Monday

I took a week off for Christmas this year.  It was very nice.  Loved having time to actually clean my house so I got my wish of a (mostly) clean house on Christmas day.  I was also able to enjoy good company, family, friends and angels.  My cup runneth over.

I won an award!

Online Nursing Programs

The blog I write for work, WeeCare won the 2010 Nursing Online Programs award for the top 20 Pregnancy Blogs. We were nominated by readers and I was notified today. I am very psyched about this because we're pretty new - live since January, 2009.

Click the picture/award to see the list of winners. You can also see the brief overview of Best of the Blogs.

The Doctor's Lounge

This is the place where I do some online work (kind of a second part-time job) and there were some write-ups about the site and an interview with the owner, Dr. Tamer Fouad. Click the post title to be taken to the home page of the site.

http://www.mdwebaccess.com/2010/07/26/%E2%80%9Cdoctors-lounge%E2%80%9D-offers-free-medical-community/

http://online.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Free_Ask_a_Doctor_Online

My new office at work

Well this is my new home away from home on the fourth floor (100 steps). We had to do all the moving ourselves so it was quite a chore. And, the space is smaller, we had no budget for furniture and had to make do with what we could scrounge that would fit since my old office had modular furniture attached to the walls.
I found two credenzas. They don't actually match but the matching set (desk and credenza) was too big for my space. This works pretty well.
My mom gave me the name sign for Christmas.
The monstrous white board must go. I would like a small one but this one is huge. Sending it to a conference room as soon as I can find someone to move it (it's on the list).
Pretty much fit everything in - even my pictures and old-fashioned medical bag. Could use a few wall decorations but it feels almost homey now and I'm getting used to the stairs.

So tempting

Is the grass greener?

I rarely see jobs posted that I might like as well or better than where I am, and of course there is always the unknown factor (might like it a whole lot more or a whole lot less). Today I saw such a job, but now I have 10 years in the state retirement system I am reluctant to disrupt that. I don't have much for retirement anyway d/t poor planning and part-time/stay-at-home time and I'm not even sure what this means. The legislature keeps cutting our benefits, we get no pay increases and the insurance is very much inferior to what it used to be.

So, I'm tempted to apply and make another leap, but into the unknown at this time just seems a little risky and as most of you know, I am not a risk-taker. I don't even put coins in slot machines in Nevada (do they still take coins?). The question - stay where I am, in spite of my frustration with the "system" and insurance or jump into the unknown? I like variety in my work and have enjoyed that about nursing so far.

I'm certainly tired of being at the complete mercy of the state legislature. No raises for several years, benefits dwindling and threats of further cuts. Politics. Not that anyone is immune...

Don't get me wrong. I am very happy to have a job and I usually enjoy it for the most part. But, I'm stuck in an organization with a very liberal slant on politics and life. It's also frustrating to see firsthand the inefficiency of government agencies when there's nothing to be done. I have worked in both the public and private sectors and there are pros and cons to each. I'd like to try the church next :) They just don't need a lot of nurses except on their humanitarian projects. But, wouldn't it be nice to be able to work for free?

Good week for Jon

Last Thursday he got a promotion at work and Friday the girls arrived so it's a week for the books.

After the Christmas rush, Inkley's had to reduce his hours.  He was the last hired so actually in line for layoff when the store slowed down so much.  He could have collected unemployment then he could be rehired when things picked up in a couple of months, but they gave him a choice and since they had hinted when he was hired that they saw a future in him, more than just working retail at this small store, he said he preferred to stay on.  It turned out that to make that happen the Bountiful employees liked him so well they volunteered to all cut their hours so Jon could stay on part-time if that was his preference, in hope for a better position eventually.  It was so nice and such and unselfish thing to do.

Finally the district manager approached him and offered him the studio photographer job at the Salt Lake store -  full-time!  With such a weak economy, this was a welcome change.  Money's still not great but better than what he is getting now and you take what you can get these days.  They wanted him to start this week but he said he couldn't since the girls were only here for this one week so he starts next Tuesday.  At least the job outlook is picking up a bit here in Utah.

The downside is they had bought a gas-guzzling Suburban for the "move" to S.C.(in place of their Civic) and now he's stuck with that.  It's a good car but his commute will gobble up a good portion of his wages.  At least he'll be doing what he likes, though Bountiful was such a cozy, friendly little place...

The other downside is that he had to sell most of his photography equipment for the "move" and when he does weddings offsite he has to use his own equipment.  This means he will have to rent equipment from the store and the shoots that don't pay that well to start with will bring in even less income, but we can't complain. I think this requirement is because the equipment is at risk when taken on location.  This year has been a tragedy from a financial standpoint. (His photography books are still in S.C. too). Jon is resilient, however, and he'll make it. I am really proud of the way he has handled this adversity and he still has friends and family, just misses his children like crazy.  At least he has been able to retain his own integrity through it all.

Deal of the Day, Yesterday's Conference and Haiti Disaster Aid

The good deal - I don't even have a Wii but I can tell this is a good deal. Click on the photo for a docking station with rechargeable batteries for the Wii at $26.99 (normally > $100)
Where I was yesterday...

I attended an awesome seminar yesterday on breastfeeding - a subject near and dear to my heart :) Molly Pessl is a wonderful speaker and expert on breastfeeding. She is from Seattle but has been all over the place studying this ancient tradition that just gets better all the time as we learn more about it. I wish I had paid more attention when I had my own children. Fortunately I learned after Chris was born but realized nobody was talking about it and any who did made it sound like formula and breastmilk were equal - NOT! Still, I would have nursed my babies longer had I really understood the immense value. Aubrey has also mentioned that she knows more about it than any of her friends and that is only because of me - she said they really don't have a clue and she wished people said more than just "it's better..."

And kindness amid tragedy... the Haiti earthquake may have claimed 40,000 to 50,000 according to the Red Cross. Utah-based Healing Hands for Haiti clinic was reduced to rubble. Read the article to learn about this amazing operation that has provided healthcare to Haitians.

Read what the LDS church is doing here. Their humanitarian program has partnered with Islamic Relief USA to make an even bigger impact. It is amazing how they have crates of supplies and personal care items already packed and ready for loading and departure when needed. If you are ever in Utah you should tour the Humanitarian Center of the LDS Church to see this massive, ongoing operation. Other Christian groups are also responding with aid. It's wonderful to see people unite in efforts to help those in need. That's what it's all about.

Online donations to the church humanitarian effort can be made here and Islamic Relief here. We're all struggling in this economy but others have it much worse. Ashli shared this article about Ozark churches rendering assistance (Convoy of Hope from James River Assembly).

An anonymous donor in St. George has donated his helicopter and private plane for transporting people and supplies in Haiti, and Hendricks Motorsports, the NASCAR team loaned a 45-passenger plane to Missionary Flights International, which will send support teams in and out of Port-au-Prince. The first flight is scheduled to leave Fort Pierce, Fla., on Saturday morning and will take 30 passengers and medical supplies into Haiti. More stories of aid here and here.

These are the times I don't like having my blog private. (A few can ruin it for many)

Furlough Day!

So, 10 hour shifts mean more money lost with this new state plan for budget alignment. I can't say I mind an extra Monday off and wish I could do this every week - you know, for the welfare of the State of Utah! They're saying we will probably be doing this every month for at least six months, then we'll see how it goes. OK, I'll do my part and NOT go to work....

The good news is the furnace repair guy came and he is honest, open and very helpful. He didn't try to sell me anything new, did some extensive maintenance work and thinks it will be fine. I was so glad since most guys would look at it and say, "it's 10 years old - you need a new one" or at least tell me it needed a new control board (computer) at an additional $250. He said most guys won't do the clean up and maintenance because it's easier (and more lucrative) to sell new - and when you need a furnace, you'll do it! So, if you live on the Wasatch front and need anything done with furnace, AC or hot water heater (basically anything gas) he is the guy to call - Dave Wilson (801) 830-0404 - honest work at a fair price. He just uses word of mouth for advertising and you can trust this guy!

Wouldn't you know it?

The new secretary got fired today. She's missed so much work in just this one month that we see a pattern here and had to cut our losses. Basically her life is kind of a train wreck and, though qualified, it's just too complicated for her to hold a job too. It's very sad because she has goood skills. But, if you can't depend on her, what good are her qualifications?

So, a little more drama to my life.

The economy is really getting to me. It has affected my kids so negatively! I feel extremely blessed to have a good job, a house in a great neighborhood, super kids, good friends, the chance to enjoy good entertainment at times, go dancing and play with the greatest grandkids in the world. Life's pretty sweet for me in spite of it. I just worry a lot about things that are happening around me.

Another Blog for Expectant Moms

In case you're interested in checking it out, the blog I created for work is now open for public viewing. We started out making it private since we particularly serve a clientele made up of members of PEHP but it became so popular we couldn't limit it to the 100 viewers Google restricts a private blog to. We discussed it, realized it is beneficial to many others who may stumble upon it and our members had not posted anything of a personal nature. So, if you want to see it, go here: www.pehpweecare.blogspot.com