So, as some of you may have figured out, I'm miserable with my work situation right now and my town, living environment. I don't think I'd be half as upset if I hadn't spent over 100K on a degree to get me into the career of my dreams. I'm not 100% sure I'm cut out for nursing home OT. It isn't that I don't love the pts, because I love them so much that it hurt. My problem is alot of what I do, I don't find it "billable" and honestly, when pts are going home, and they aren't going to be around that much longer and they don't care if they can do anything themselves, it makes it really had to make them do ADLs, do exercises that they aren't interested in or to push them to cook something. It's depressing, in all honesty, I could do alot more for these pts by advocating for them and just talking with them than forcing them to put their sock on. It's hard to explain, because I believe in what OT is about, but in this setting I struggle. Medicare or whatever insurance they have, are paying for their care, and if they don't want to care for themselves anymore, it's hard for me to force a 97 year old man to do it. On top of that the facility I am in is sub-par, has some messed up practices, is under staffed, and even the medical director is a joke of a dr. who doesn't like "old people". I wish my pts went home, like a rehabilitation facility....... or even stayed in the facility as moderately healthy individuals.... but there is just nothing to do in my facility but wait to die. I get tons of BS for d/c pts when we do very rarely get a rehab-able pt because I keep them for the shortest amount of time for them to be safe in their environment.
I guess the fact is, when I thought about going into OT, I thought about pediatric, veterans, wheelchair sports, rehabs and assisted living homes..... not nursing homes. The problem is I live in nowhere so the options are VERY limited and many of the above mentioned thoughts that cross my mind are not well paying... and again since I owe over 100K, it's vital I make a good salary just to cover my loan payment back.
Here's the problem, I feel like the fact that I'm pushing 30, starting a family and have spent the majority of my life sacrificing for "this time" in my life, that the idea of staying put for 2 more years to have a nest egg built up and the ability to sit for the ATP (assistive technology provider exam), is just unacceptable. I'm sick of being unhappy and struggling. Does it ever stop? I mean I don't want to top out in my career but I also am sick of being the low man on the poop deck, sort to speak.
I need to make a plan, a decision, a change... I know I'm not exactly hire-able in my condition (although that's F-ing illegal), but I'm on the prowl for something that will provide for me student loan habit, allow me to feel complete and or successful in my career and provide my family with a decent living. Doesn't sound like too much to ask but in the mean time I need to sell my house, find a town/city we can both agree on, find an OT job with good pay, have my baby, find Jason a teaching job and move all my crap. What's the worst thing that could happen?! I could fail? Well, I already feel like I'm failing.
I'm open to thoughts any of you have for good places to live and any job opportunities you think my fit me. * Just as a reminder, I love wheelchairs and would like to be close to water, rather that's lakes or oceans. :)
Hey Reagan its me Melanie. If there's one thing I know it's that things will change, they dont stay the same. God has put you right where you are for a reason. It doesnt sound like you need to be working in a non-rehab situation. You need the rehab to get your juices flowing and to get fulfillment from your job. I have never worked in just a nursing home setting, its always had rehab in it. Here is another thing, you are in the career that there are so many options it is crazy. And there is so much demand for OT's I dont think the pregnancy will matter. Here are some of my ideas, it does sound like moving may be a good choice. If Fishbowl cant find a job he could always keep eggbert while you work until he finds one. (that will save on the daycare bill) Tennessee Rehab Center in Smyrna has a spinal cord injury unit that is interesting, lots of wheelchairs, the pts have already had the acute rehab they are there to get work and life skills. There is also a head injury unit with the same purpose. If you dont need insurance you could contract yourself out, the pay is really good and you can use tax write offs. NHC is a good company to work for to get lots of different experience. The VA pays pretty good with good benefits, there are so many options for OT's. You could always rent instead of buying another house, so its not so permanent. I am moving down south maybe this summer, not sure where yet but closer to the ocean. At some point maybe we can work together again, I think we got along really well.
ReplyDeleteI dont think I could stand that job at the NH either, just for the record. Let me know what you think of my ideas. love ya
Hey. Sorry you're going through all of that. It is certainly more than disheartening when passion meets reality. We have patricia neal rehab center over here in Knoxville. Plus more than a handful of hospitals and medical facilities. There's a birthing center, Lisa Ross, that is fantastic and plenty of allergists to choose from :) You would love the music scene and guess what? There's a river going through the center!! :) Seriously. I adore it here. So that's my 2 cents. I'll be thinking about you as you seek to make changes. It's hard for sure, but sometimes that motivation to change is what actually gets us TO change. :)
ReplyDeleteI want to say thank you both for the thoughtful responses. :) No plans have been made.... It so confusing since there is a little one to think about... but I know there is a reason for everything and it will work out.
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