Accepted a new job. RELIEF.

Two days ago I accepted a new job (within the same company) and put in my 2 weeks notice at my current position. My current supervisor at the receptionist job asked if I would be willing to fill in sometimes if needed and I said I'd be glad to.

My new gig will be full time, 40 hours per week, with benefits. I will be spending part of that time as a personal care assistant, and part of it as a medication technician. They are starting me at $11 per hour. I will have benefits after 90 days. Huge. Sigh. Of Relief. If I have to cut down to half time during nursing school (likely) I should be able to at least get back on a COBRA continuation again. Another plus? They provide the uniforms. One less ongoing expense to worry about.

I had two interviews for the job. The first one felt like a hole in one. Totally rocked it. Had no doubt I was going to get an offer. The second was a little rockier but I felt like the decision had already been made on their part by that point. I also talked to the other place I was considering, the paid CNA training program, that day, and there was promise there, but I decided to go with the med tech job for two main reasons:

(1) the paid CNA training gig would have only been $8.70 an hour (vs $11)
(2) if I decide it would be useful to have my CNA license after all, I will be able to apply for that after my first semester of nursing school, which, assuming I get in, is only 11 months away.
(3) I like that I will be spending at least part of my time as a medication technician, which requires some state-mandated training (another thing to add to the ol' resume).

During the interview, the manager said that if I ended up getting into nursing school they would be able to work with me on hours as well. I don't know what kind of course schedule I will have during the first semester of nursing school. I know it won't be a good idea to work full time, even if I am tempted to. Have to wait and see.

I am just a little bit concerned about my pre-employment physical, which is happening next Friday afternoon. I already had one for the receptionist position but because I will be on my feet more and stuff they are having me do another one. I also need to get my TB records together again, and all that jazz. It may be about time to renew my first aid training again as well. They will pay for all that if necessary.

I know that this job will be more physically taxing than my current one, but it should be GREAT preparation for my nursing career. And probably being on my feet all day will help me slim down.

So, again, whew.

to CNA or not to CNA that is the question

So...I have finished my phlebotomy training, but it will be a while before I get my certification all ironed out with the state, and it could even longer before I'm able to nail down a job in that field, if at all.

The local college did not need me to teach any classes this term. They go to the faculty first, the graduate students next and *then* the part time pool by seniority, and between the low course offerings during winter and being the newest of the newbies, no luck for me.

I've still got my retirement home receptionist job, but that is only 19 hours per week, and at $10.50 an hour and no benefits, you do the math. No es bueno. Not getting by. So...

At the end of last week I saw that a caregiving facility I applied to almost a year ago for their in house CNA training program was starting a new training round at the end of January. I managed to get an application in the day after the announcement went out, and I put a lot of energy into my resume, references and cover letter, so I'm hoping I have a good chance there.

Secondly, I also put in an application to be a "medication technician" at a care facility across town from, but owned by the same company that I currently work for. The CEO at my current job found out pretty much immediately, asked me about it, and I explained the situation. It turns out they won't hire a non-CNA for meds passing, not really, but several days later he told me that I should apply to be a caregiver at yet another facility owned by the company. I put that application in tonight. It would be full time, so I would get benefits after 90 days. However, they do not have an in-house CNA program; I would not graduate to certified nursing assistant over time or have the job portability and pay raise that comes with it.

My inclination is that doing the CNA program at the un-related-to-my-current-job place may be the best opportunity long-term. I would have to find out pay rates, etc to be more confident in that statement, but even if I just stayed there 6 months, got my license, and then moved over to the hospital where they make twice as much, it would be totally worth it.

However, if I tell my current employer that I need more hours, they say, alright, here's an opportunity, and then I don't take it, that's a little awkward. Or what if it becomes a timing issue...what if my current employer says, okay, sure, let's start training you in the new job, and then *days* later I get word that I got into the on the job CNA training program?

I should call the on-the-job-CNA place tomorrow and ask if they have had a chance to review my application, and make sure there isn't any contract that mandates 1 year of FT work following training (as some places do), or anything like that. How can I carefully bring that one up, huh?

On-the-job-paid-CNA-training-thingy:
$8.70 per hour (lame)
3 months-ish to get CNA license
benefits, probably after 90 days
my friend who used to work there said the new company cut down on overtime possibilities
the last time I applied, when I met the teacher, I had a positive impression of her
After establishing my CNA license I could move somewhere that pays way more

Caregiver position with my current company
Pay unknown (maybe more than the other since I already have a history with the company?)
Benefits, but after 90 days
they are not set up to train someone who has little experience in caregiving, to my knowledge
No idea what hours they'd want me to work


When it comes down to it, I really don't need the CNA training if I'm going to be an RN in a couple of years anyway, but it might help me stay better afloat financially while in school...maybe....

Doubts...

I've just finished watching the final Harry Potter (weepy) and looking through all of my friends on facebook (lonely) and I'm in a sort of _where is my life headed_ sort of place right now.

Did I make the right decision to move back home and start in an entirely different direction?

I look at old friends' profiles. One that I used to live with is living in Australia now, as a yoga instructor and writer. One that I used to work in a research lab with changed courses several years before I did and is now a nurse practitioner. Another that I went to high school and college with is now a physician's assistant and has a young son. Friends that are professors, and work at nonprofits, and manage or own companies, and have families of their own and children.

And I can't help but compare. I'm 31, still struggling to "find" myself, no partner or prospects, considering applying for a job that would pay lower wages than I've made since I was 19. What if all this that I've been going through is for nothing. What if I am not a good nurse or don't enjoy my work at the end of it all. What if.

I need to get myself out of this downward though spiral.

I've done a remarkable job of holding it all together, juggling obligations, and continuing to move forwards. During the time I have been home, even if I haven't made great strides forward in my career, at least I have managed to form a strong bond with my niece, who I love dearly and with my whole heart. Everyone goes through lost periods, even if not all at once, and at different rates of recovery. It feels like a long time coming, but I *am* moving forward. Soon I am going to hear back from the nursing program and I am most likely going to get in. Even if not right now, there are times when I *do* think that nursing will be an excellent fit. People trust me, and I am a caring and compassionate individual. And I am smart. I should be able to do this. I can do this. A year from now, everything will be completely different. I won't continue in this in-between state forever.