New job update

So, this past Tuesday was my last official day working for the pool.  (Aside:  A big plus to not working for the pool?  Not having to explain that it’s a pool of therapists, not a swimming pool!  Though I used to go in the pool a lot at my first job in Appleton.  But I digress…)  I can’t really say it was sad, since I have never worked with anyone consistently for the past 2 years or so.  But it was a little bittersweet, since I won’t be getting to see some really great people I have worked with anymore, except maybe at continuing education courses.  And I will miss those paychecks (I got a 20% differential over my base rate in the pool)!  But the prospect of what I’m going to is pretty great.

I’ve accepted a permanent position with Elmbrook Hospital, splitting time between the hospital and an outpatient clinic down the road from the hospital.  It’s a 0.5 FTE position, so it’s 20 hours a week.  That’s an extra half day over what I’ve been doing, but my manager was great about the flexibility of my schedule.  I’ll be working Monday 10-6:30, Tuesday 8-4:30, and Thursday 2-6.  Kind of crazy hours, but they work for me.  Monday, I will be able to take the boys to their respective schools, and still get to work with plenty of time.  I will work from 10-2 at the hospital, then 2:30-6:30 at the clinic.  Tuesday I will be at the hospital from 8-12, then the clinic from 12:30-4:30.  And on Thursday, I will just be at the clinic.

My wonderful mom has very generously offered to watch the boys all three days, a recent development based on Caden’s issues with separation and school.  Let’s just say he’s having a little bit of trouble adjusting to not being with Mommy/Daddy/Nana/Grandma.  Anyway, my mom will pick the boys up from school on Monday, have them all day Tuesday, then just for the afternoon on Thursday, when they’re napping/resting.  I’m soooooo lucky to have her available to me, and I know my mother-in-law will be ready to jump in once school lets out in June, and probably during vacations!  It doesn’t get much better than that!

I’m really excited to be so close to home with my job.  It’s about a 10 minute commute time, door-to-door, to the hospital, and an extra 5 minutes or so to the clinic.  And the clinic is awesome!  There are tons of windows, and the equipment was made in this decade!  The facility is just over a year old, so it’s pretty shmancy.  I am a bit nervous, though.  It’s been a while since I’ve done outpatient orthopedic therapy consistently, and I’m a little rusty.  With the pool, I’d generally do an evaluation, then the patient would go to a regular therapist, and they could tie up any loose ends for me.  But now, I’ll have my own patient caseload!  I keep telling myself it’s like riding a bike-I just have to get back on!

Nonetheless, I’m really excited, and I’m fairly sure this is the right decision for me at this time.  It’s a foot in the door, with plenty of potential for the future.  I’ll keep you all posted!