Monday, June 16, 2008

Some fun news!!

We just returned from a wonderful fun packed weekend camping at Knoebel's!! I hope to go through my many pictures later and hopefully post within the next few days!

Our exciting news that I talked about in my last post is that I got a job!! When Macy was born, I was working full time as a critical care nurse in one of our local hospitals. She came along at just the right time, I needed some change! So, I backed my status down to per diem (or casual as some call it) and then just totally resigned. I have been a full stay at home mom for almost 5 1/2 years and now I need some change from this!!

I've been thinking about going back per diem for a good 6-9 months, moreso over the last 3. I was just so worried that being out of the clinical setting for over 5 years would make me very unattractive to hospitals. I was convinced that I'd have to work my way up from the bottom and get a job [gulp] in a nursing home. Nursing home work is not for me! I was an open heart nurse, that is my passion, I just cannot see myself in a nursing home!! A week and a half ago, I was looking online at the job opportunities at the hospital I worked at before becoming a SAHM. There was a per diem position posted for the progressive care unit, which was the first unit I worked in when I started there back in 1997. I got a little spur of the moment going on and I sent my resume! I got an email back from the nurse manager almost immediately and was called for an interview the next day - an interview was scheduled for last Wednesday. Talk about things going fast - phew!!

I pulled up in front of the HR office and my legs immediately went to Jello! What was I doing??? I thought about leaving! I slowly walked in, praying that I wouldn't fall over because I couldn't feel my legs!!! I talked with the nurse recruiter and things sounded great. I then went over to the hospital and met with the nurse manager. By this time, I was starting to get feeling back in my legs and glad I didn't leave!!

Everything went wonderful!! I met up with her in the lobby, we went up to the floor and she started showing me around. I walked onto the patient care area of the floor, looked to the right and saw a good friend that I used to work with. She asked me if I was interviewing, started walking over and said "hire her" to the manager!! I then continued to look to my left and saw 2 other RN's that I worked with, they immediately came over and hugged me!! What a great feeling!!!! I think that suddenly became my professional reference, since I only had character ones from not being in the workplace for so long!

We went into the managers office and talked, she told me how things work, which is pretty much the same as when I left, which is great!! They are not all the way to computerized documentation yet, so one less thing I'll have to learn, plus, the paperwork is the exact same!! Woohoo!!

I left her office feeling extremely good! I knew I had made the right decision! The following day, I came home to a message of a job offer! I accepted, my start date is July 7th!

It's all working out perfectly!! Chris only works 3 days a week at his full time flight nurse job but has kept up part time (2 days a week) with his nurse educator job, so he would get his full retirement benefits. As of July 1st, he will be vested there, so that will be his last day!

I will pick up two 8 hour shifts a week, so we will still be a 5 day work week family, it will just be split between us. I am so excited for this, he is excited for this!! He gets more at home time with the kids, I get more adult interaction time! Both of our schedules are very flexible so that will make more family time and more fun time for all 4 of us! Not to mention my job will be paying more, which is a huge plus! Of course, with the way gas prices and just everything in general is going up, I'm sure that will even out soon!

Chris also just took the base manager job, so that's a little promotion for him! Everything just fell perfectly into place! We couldn't be happier!!

I promise to post some layouts for my next post! I haven't been scrapping lately, but I do have several that I did for Scrapbook News and Review, that I can now share!!

21 comments:

emily said...

How exciting! Congratulations!

Trish said...

Matt and I are so excited for you and Chris!!!!

Can't wait to see your LO's and some camping pics!

Also I saw you LO in SS! Congrats!

Andrea said...

I told you that you would NAIL that interview....woot-woot and a big congrats to you my friend!!!! So happy for you and Chris....you deserve all the happiness in the world!

:)

Melonie said...

Oh Rachael that is awesome news!! HUGE Congrats to you. It sounds like it was totally meant to be. I have been thinking about going back in Sept. but I am paralyzed with fear after being out of the workforce for 8 years. You are an inspiration to me! Congrats again.

Karen said...

WOW!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy for you and Chris! I am sure you will fall right in again, and it will be old hat in no time :)

Edleen said...

Congrats Rachael!!!
what wonderful news and All the Best to you :)

Just Me said...

Very happy for you!!!! Don't be a stranger....we're gonna miss seeing you around on a daily basis on the board! ;)

Angel said...

Congrats on your " Happy News! "
Sounds really good ! Be glad you never settled for SNF ! I work per diem in Physical Therapy in Rehab / Nursing home! Previous exp in Ortho ! ( I love out patient Ortho ! ) Not an option though for weekend only work! Happy for you !

Patrice~ said...

good for you!

merrymstamper said...

Congratulations Rachael!! Blessing to you on your new venture...

scrap the "new" venture, that would be awesome. Your story about going in for an interview and five years had passed... I'll be looking for it :)

stuffie said...

Awesomw news for you, Rachael! So exciting, even more exciting that it just kind of fell into place, and worked out!! Woo-hoo- go you!

myfrogprince said...

How exciting, I hope everything continues to work out for you!

Beth said...

Three Cheers!!!!
So happy for you, Rachael! Happy for you and for your family - sounds like you're all in for some changes! Keep us posted on how it goes after the 7th.... SO exciting!
- Beth J.

Melanie said...

Wow, I'm so glad things just fell in place so easily for me--it must have been meant to be! It sounds like the perfect job with a perfect family situation for you. I'm so happy for you!

Nicole Carro said...

Congratulations Rachael! So happy for you - it sounds like a wonderful place to be.

Sarah Coggins said...

Hurray! That is awesome news! Big congrats to you both. :)

waleska said...

Hi Rachael! I've been missing you in the scrappy world :)
congrats on the job!! sounds wonderful!

Kimberly said...

yo. i swear to god i already replied to this post. WTH??!! lol... love your LOs. you know i'm excited about your job! congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feel like i haven't really 'talked' to you lately, so i just wanted to say hey!

SALTZWORKS said...

Holy Cow Rachael!!! Things moved so fast! I'm so very glad that this all worked out! You will be fantastic back at work and for Chris to have more time! WOW!

Unknown said...

Awesome news!!! It sounds like the transition into your new job will be wonderful with your old coworkers being there. Congrats!!

Greta Adams said...

huge congrats my friend!! i am sooo happy for ya'll