The Bad, The Good, The Grotesque?

You know that job interview I had? Well, I don't think I got it. The manager said I should hear from them by this past Monday and I have heard nothing. Nada. Zip. Maybe it's a sign and it's just not meant to be. I will admit that I am a bit disappointed. Luckily, I already have a job--which I like. But, there is this idea in my head of wanting to work in a hospital. I am sure it won't be anything like what I think, but the desire is still there. Especially, the desire to learn and what is a better place to learn in than in a hospital?

On a good note: The Hubby got a job. He starts today. It's minimum wage with minimal tips, but it's a job. I wouldn't say we are "excited" but we are feeling a little relieved.

I know I said I wouldn't talk about it for awhile, but my school starts back in 2 weeks! I am so nervous and excited. I can't wait to take Anatomy and Physiology. Did you know we get to work with actual Cadavers in anatomy?! I can't wait. Let's hope I remember my Bio class information ;).

A minor screw up?

Did you ever go on a job interview and later think "why did I say that?"

I had a job interview today. It was for a part time (very part time-like 12 hours every 2 weeks) position at the hospital here in town. The timing was great. I am planning on applying for the nursing program in March and getting a job at the hospital would be killer. (I really want the job. Even really part time opens the door for the next position that has more hours. And, I can stay at my current job until more hours open up.)

I think the interview went well, but I don't know for sure. I sure hope they call me back. He did say I may not hear anything until the week of the 28th because Christmas messes everything up for HR. So, we will see. Unfortunately, when thinking back on the interview I think I may have said something I shouldn't have.

He asked me something like "what do you dislike about your present employer." I told him I really like my present employer and the management team is great. But then I said the only thing I could think of is that they have a hard time letting go of people who consistently don't work well.

Maybe I shouldn't have said anything negative. I should have "forgotten" anything I don't like. Sigh. Oh well.

As long as I learn from this experience, that's what counts, right? And to do better at the next interview.

I sure feel like I have been saying that a lot lately.

I still hope they call, and they might call, but I wonder how likely it is now.

A bit stressed out right now.

I have a biology test this week, a history test, and homework due for my communications class. The biggest issue I am having is finding the time to study. So, instead, I am sitting here waiting for my oatmeal to be done writing on my blog.

Study time is my hardest time to find. With working on the weekends, I want to spend the time I am home with the kids. During the week, I am homeschooling L and M (because she has to do what big brother is doing), running kids around, making meals, trying to keep the house up, etc.

I am also waiting to hear back from a job I applied for. I sure hope they call. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the place I work now. But, the new place has benefits and hours to work that would work better around my schedule.

I hope you all are enjoying your Sunday a bit more.

Cutting Back

I have so stressed out this week about money. I am currently waiting to hear back from a job I applied for so I can work full time doing 3-12 hour shifts a week. This way, it won't interfere with mine and hubby's school too much.

I am also trying really hard to find ways to cut back on spending. I feel like we already have cut back so much. It's sorta becoming depressing.

I think I am going to talk to the cable company about lowering our monthly bill. We currently pay $107. for basic cable, internet, and our phone line. I don't know if it can be lowered or if cutting cable will lower it very much, but I have to try. If we do get rid of cable, we can do Netflix, which is under $20/month. We can watch some t.v. shows online (like Grey's Anatomy! Did you know you can watch the newest episode online the day after it airs? Just go HERE!) We definitely can not get rid of internet because we need it for school. Not only ours, but the kid's school as well.

Another one is our cell phones. I LOVE texting. We have unlimited texting with our plan and two phones. We pay $115 a month. This seems outrageous to me. I think it might be time to forgo the texting and get to the absolutely cheapest plan available. (I am really going to miss my texting.) It might also be time to look at a different company. How much do you all pay and for what kind of plan?

Because of the great weather, we are finally able to keep the air conditioner off for good. In the summer it just isn't possible to keep the air conditioner off. We get to 110 degrees most of the summer! Now, we just need to keep the heat off as long as possible. It has been dropping into the 40's at night and I really hope it doesn't get much lower than that.

Hubby has been doing most of the driving to the kid's school. He takes them every morning and picks them up at least 2 or three afternoons a week. Since he drives a CNG van, I get to save my gas. He pays just under a dollar a gallon for CNG where as I have to pay $2.70ish for gas/gallon.

If anyone thinks of anything else that can save money, please let me know.

My weekend.

I just got off of working four days in a row. It was a hard four days. 

Every time I leave for work my three year old says "I don't want you to go." Then she cries and has me hug her for about 15 minutes. It sure makes it super hard to leave. 

Thursday and Friday were fairly easy nights, just busy. Lot's of calls from the residents for miscellaneous stuff. 

Saturday and Sunday I was the Med Tech on duty. Which means, I had to pass out all the medications at dinner time and bedtime. 

Saturday it took me the entire shift to get it all done. It was ridiculous. I was so slow. I got so frustrated I ended up asking a co-worker to help me finish. It was bad. (It didn't help that it was the first day of "that time of the month"). 

Yesterday went much better. I got meds done on time at dinner. Unfortunately, I had to send a very sick resident to the hospital which threw off my bedtime schedule. Oh well. I at least got them done much quicker than the night before. 

This was the first time I was on my own for the afternoon shift and I know it will take time to find my groove. 

Tomorrow I get to have a Mom's Night Out at a friend's house. I am so excited. It's hard to leave the kids, especially when I have worked the previous four days, but it feels good to hang out and gab with my friend's. Makes for some very nice down time. 

Work~Semi Promotion Update

Do you ever want to blog but have nothing to say or don't know what to start with? Right now, I have the biggest urge to write, but I really don't know what to talk about. So much has been going on. 

Let's start with a really good weekend. I only had to work one night shift. I am scheduled for one more this coming weekend but, hopefully, that will be the last. I have been training someone for the last couple of weekends and she is doing great! I am so glad they found her so quickly after I told them I couldn't do nights anymore. 

I just realized that I haven't told you all this stuff yet. Now I know what to talk about. 

My husband is a Type 1 Diabetic. He has been since he was about 18 months old. (His parents did a really good job with his health. He has no medical problems so far because of his diabetes.) He has had a lot of nights where is blood sugar drops super low and he has little seizures/convulsions. I ALWAYS wake up when he gets low, usually just before the seizures begin. 

Over the last 9-12 months he hasn't had one episode, which is unusual. I think while he was younger, the hormones in him were so out of whack, it was harder to maintain consistent blood sugar levels. Well, with the weather getting warmer (temperature changes do make a difference with him) he had a low blood sugar episode about 3 weeks ago at around 1 am. As I was trying to get some sugar into him I started thinking. What if I had been at work? Nobody would know he was having a problem until I got home 5 HOURS LATER! 

The next day I went to my boss and told her how sorry I was but I can not, under any circumstance, work nights. She told me she would find someone and I would just need to help train that person. She found someone two days later. 

What's ironic is neither one of us, my husband or I, even thought about his diabetes once while making the decision to accept the new position. I am very glad that his low episode happened while I was home and not while I was gone. 

So, I have one more night shift to work and then I am done, I think. I haven't seen the new schedule yet but, I can't see her scheduling me for anymore. 

Semi-Promotion

I got offered a promotion at work. The title is Med Tech. A Med Tech is a CNA who is allowed to give out medications to patients. (At least where I work). The only problem is they want me to work the middle of the night shift. Yuck. 

I took the position. I told my boss that I would give it a try. I am nervous about being able to stay awake on that shift, but it will only be two nights a week. I went through a whole pro and con list and the pros for taking it totally out weigh the cons. 

1. It will look really good to have this title when I apply for the nursing program in the fall. The program is extremely competitive and any job experience and promotions within will help, a lot.

2. I get a little raise. Money is always a nice incentive.

3. Most of the residents will be sleeping and it will provide some good study time. 

I also want to find out if the building has wireless. I would really like to bring my computer. It would help me stay awake. 

Wish me luck! 

Finals are next week and I have a TON of studying to do. I can't believe the semester is almost over. I am so excited. Now I am just praying that I pass my biology class. If I don't, I have to retake it. Which means I can't take anatomy in the summer and I won't be able to apply for the nursing program until the spring. 

Yeah, no stress there! (Definite sarcasm here)

Biology

I just found out my mid term grade in Biology ~ C+! This means that I still have a chance to get a B in the class! 

Well, I am off to work. I get to work the next three nights. Hopefully, I will remember to post tomorrow about the 7 year old and ADHD. 

I wish I could quit my job.

Or maybe drop my hours to 1/4 time. Don't get me wrong, I really like my job. The people I work with are great and I love working with the residents. I am just extremely overwhelmed and I think that it would be the best option. 

Except I can't. We can't afford for me to cut down my hours. I keep reminding myself that it is only 2 and a half more years and then I will be an R.N. That isn't really all that long of a time, but right now it feels like forever. 

I miss spending tons of time with my kids. Right now, I either have to study, do housework (including cooking), or work. Oh, and don't forget the kid's homework time. Between all those things, I would really like a break. 

I am really tired and drained. I have zero energy and I can't stop.

At least spring break is right around the corner. It's in two more weeks, I think. Maybe I can try to take one of the weekends off also. 

I Did It!

I passed!

I am now a Certified Nursing Assistant!

WooHoo!!

C.N.A. Certification Suspense

Umm.

I think I did well. 

The testing lady said that they aren't aloud to tell us the results anymore. We get to wait approximately 5 to 7 days for the results to come in the mail. 

I will tell you: I was SO nervous. I almost had to stop somewhere to go poop (more info here, if you really want to know). 

I had to do the test with one other student who was also testing. This way we could use each other as needed. For example, we had to take all the vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and temperature) on each other while the tester listened with an extension stethoscope. If we screwed any of those up, it was an automatic FAIL. Luckily, I slightly knew the other person who was testing. She took the C.N.A. class the same time I did, just on a different day. So, we talked a few times when we crossed paths.  

I was given a list of 5 things to do. Each of these things had one or two points to them that I was not aloud to screw up, no matter what, or I automatically failed. 

I think I did them right. The testing lady didn't give us any clue as to how we did. The big meanie. 

So, I guess we get to wait until the anticipated envelope comes in the mail...

I will let you know!

C.N.A. Certification

Tomorrow I have to take my hands on test for my license. I am quite nervous. I have found out that 50% of the students who had the same teacher I had failed.

I can NOT afford to fail because she is a crappy teacher! I could lose my job and that, my friends, would be very, very bad.

So, wish me luck! I will let you know how it goes the minute I find out.

Freaking Out

Just like I do the weekend before any test, I freak out. Usually because I am  not prepared enough. 

I have 2 tests next week and I am NOT prepared! I can be caught up with Chemistry in no time. I am pretty comfortable with it. 

Biology is a whole different story. The information just does not want to stick in my brain. I read the book, take notes, go to every class and still don't remember ANY of it. I am also 2 chapters behind on my studying! Remember the scary book? That's the one I am behind in.

So, this weekend I have to spend about 120 hours studying, 20 hours working, 5 hours cleaning, and let's not forget to hang out with the kids, cook, and sleep. 

Unfortunately, there are only 48 hours in a weekend. 

Where can I get some more hours? 

Alzheimer's

I work in an Assisted Living facility. This means I assist people in daily living activities. I help them go to the bathroom (they usually can bear some weight on their legs), get ready for bed, help them get up and ready for the day, shower, etc. There are many reasons people end up in an assisted living facility. It is usually an accumulations of many things and the families get frightened for there elders. These people are forgetting to wipe, take their medications, are at a risk for falling, etc. So, they end up in an assisted living facility.

There is one lady that has Alzheimer's Disease. She has finally reached a point where she has forgotten how to get up. She has spent the last 3 days in bed. She is slowly forgetting how to eat. We have been trying to feed her easy food like yogurt or ensure. She now where's diapers because she can't go to the bathroom any longer. We change her in bed.

It is this type of person that makes it hard for me to do what I do. I look at this lady and hope to God that this never happens to me or to any of my loved ones. It is hard to watch someone totally forget how to do something as simple and as natural as eating. I mean, we are born knowing how to suck to eat.

I knew that Alzheimer's was bad. I knew that people with it forget a lot of important things like who their family is. (This women told me she doesn't have any kids~she has two sons). I had NO idea that people forgot how to eat.

I hope that this woman is able to pass away quickly.

Fridays

Friday's used to be our day of rest and relaxation. I would pick up the kids from school early, 12:15, because Fridays are our early days. We would then go home, eat or pack a lunch, change clothes and head to the park where we would meet a bunch of friends. We would then sit there for hours and let the kids play and we would all talk. Sometimes, we wouldn't leave until dark.

Lately, though, Friday's haven't been as much fun. For instance, last Friday we couldn't go to the park at all because I had to work. Yesterday, I had a mandatory staff meeting so I had to be late. I also had to work last night. Which means, we only got to stay for about an hour. I sure miss hanging out with my friends with no where to go and nothing to do.

There are things in my life that have changed so much in the last four months since I started working. I know that going to school and working is something I have to do for my family and someday, I will have time for friends again. For now though, it just sucks.