A Valuable Lesson

[jojo489]

Warning: This will probably turn out long. But I'd like to share my story.

When I was 18 years old, had graduated high school, and decided to put off college, I set out to find a full time job. My cousin got me into a place that provided care in group homes for adults with developmental disabilities. I fell in love...with the people I cared for, the people I worked with and the overall environment in the group home. I worked massive amounts of overtime, I worked at other homes, I moved into management positions that allowed direct care as well. I loved my job and I learned just how rewarding it was to care for people.

This inspired me to start school for nursing. So I worked at this same company all through school, and for even a few months after I graduated and passed the NCLEX, because I so badly didn't want to leave but I knew I would have to because there were no nursing positions available. I finally decided it was time to get some hours under my new license.

I was shocked when I got a job making more than twice what I had been making for what seemed like so long. I also was lucky enough to work on a really busy rehab unit and got a little bit of experience in a very wide variety of things. I learned how much I love wound care. I learned that there are seldom things better than a heart felt thank you when you've nursed someone to health and get to see them go home...and the pride that they are getting to go home to their families. But something didn't feel right. And the burnout on that unit was very fast.

I branched out again and started working in assisted living. This particular place is known to pay very well and I was surprised at the income I was bringing in. I can't lie, it was the wow factor that pulled me in at first...then the fact that everything is a little slower paced and I could really spend time with the residents and get to know them. I was in.

A year and change after starting with assisted living, I still find myself missing something, and not completely happy. I find myself missing my old group home consumers, and wishing that my job still made me feel that way. Don't get me wrong, this profession is rewarding...but there was a spark that seems like it went out a long time ago.

So I started doing a little research in my area to see what type of companies were around that cared for people with developmental disabilities. I was surprised to find a very intriguing place. I saw they had a spot open for LPNs and the next thing I know I was filling out an application. I received a call back and everything was going well on the phone...then the recruiter sheepishly started to discuss wages and warned me that the pay would be significantly less and slightly reduced hours, but full time status with benefits nonetheless. And I still couldn't be more excited about interviewing for a position and potentially starting a job. So excited to get back in the field.

So , the lesson here is this : There is more to life than money. Some jobs are worked for the love of the profession and the people. I love working with people with disabilities. There, in my mind, is nothing more rewarding than work with this population.

So, to anyone who is still reading this, I just want to tell you to do what you love. Find your niche and work it for as long as you are able. There is nothing better than working a job you truly love, and in nursing....there are so many places to be, so many different areas to try....try them all. Find your passion. I can't wait to get back to mine. :]

[jojo489]

NurseLyndz, I'm so glad you posted! Your job sound very interesting and like a lot of fun.

I also love that I get to advocate for people who sometimes cannot speak for themselves. And I also know what you mean about sub par care, it happens even in the doctors office. I've told residents to tell their doctors, "Don't ask my staff, ask me," and you should see the look on the MDs face when they do. And I'm always so proud when my residents feel good about themselves.

I love that there are people out there who have a love of working in this field. I love this population. I myself am taking a 24k/yr pay cut, but it's so worth it to do something I love. Plus, the schedule will afford me time to work per diem or agency if need be.

I had my interview today with the group home and I think it went well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a good phone call soon. :) I'm so excited!

[JuliaRNMSN]

I am not working with this population currently. After seeing how staff and management coped with this situation, I decided to take work outside of healthcare. I like you and others working in this area, I had great relationships with the individuals and their families. That was very rewarding. I think management was out of touch with the front line staff working conditions. The need to have RN oversight and signatures to get reimbursed was a damned if you do and damned if you don't scenario. The fact that I documented every detail was what led to the investigation. If not for that I believe in retrospect it would have been swept under the rug. There was no team spirit at this facility when the going got tough. Most began the blame game. My focus became how to navigate these situations. I chose diplomacy meaning I attempted to create a dialogue. This did not work no one wanted to look deeper into the situation for learning and improvement. Sexual abuse or suspicion of it scared people. Fear does strange things to peoples behavior as I saw first hand. Sure there was a policy on suspected sexual abuse but it was vague lacked specific verbage and no specific training.

I have worked in psych, sat in group therapy with patients and group leaders and heard people talk about their experiences. It wasn't easy to hear and I had to look at my own fears. I read and talked to professionals to learn and provide patients with information and empathy. I was less fearful as a result and able to stay present. "The Courage to Heal" was the first book I read on the subject. I worked with an RN whose sister became pregnant while in a state facility for intellectually disabled persons. I wonder if a proactive set of guidelines would have prevented her victimization. Thanks

[jojo489]

Julia, I'm sorry to hear that most of your encounters with facilities that cater to this population have been negative. Please know that there are some good places out there with wonderful staff.

And I'm glad to hear that you went that extra mile. :) I'll have to look into that book myself.

[jojo489]

By the way, I GOT THE JOB!!! :)(:

[ceebeejay]

Congrats, jojo489!

I just started recently and I love it. I come home exhausted but I feel great. It's the first time, in my life and I am not a spring chicken, that I feel satisfied when I come home from work. I am trying to figure out how to keep track of things. I feel like a squirrel right now - ooh look at the shiny light, oh wait, there's that other shiny thing! Um, what was I doing? Just when I feel like I have it coming under control, it all goes up in smoke! I have had a death by fire experience so far, because everything that can happen is happening! ARGH! I don't even mind the on call. My husband thinks I am nuts. But, when you have a passion for what you are doing it doesn't feel like a chore.

[jojo489]

Ceebeejay,

Thank you!

I feel exactly as you do about the profession. I'm so excited to get back into it so I can feel that way again.

There's just something about lower staff:resident ratios and really getting to know your client.

So very excited and happy for you as well! Things will fall into place for you, I'm sure. :)

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

Well, I'm late to the party but I wanted to share my own experience with you all. I have been an RN for 38 years, and a mother for 29 years. Most of my nursing experience has been with adults, mothers & babies and pediatrics. At home, another job was waiting for me. My husband became fully disabled with lung & heart disease, one son was diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety, my daughter was diagnosed with depression and an autoimmune disorder, and my youngest son is severely intellectually impaired and has seizures.

My youngest son is a big, strapping young man, 6'3", with the mind of a 1 year old. He needs full assistance with pretty much everything. He can walk, but cannot talk. In fact, he's prone to eloping so he needs almost constant supervision. He's fully a foot taller than me and strong as any man. So, about five years ago, I realized that my back was just about to the wall.

It took us about a year to get the state to agree to full funding for him. We approached an agency that provides host homes for DD clients. A host home, if you don't already know, is one which is owned by the caregiver. The client pays a set amount of room & board and lives with the family as a boarder. We liked this model better than a group home because of DSs high need for supervision. It took us about another 9 months to find the exact right home for him, with a wonderful family who had already been doing this for several years. We placed him there when he was 17; his caregivers welcomed him with open arms and fully blended him into their extensive family.

Now, here's where my personal life and professional life crossed paths. The agency did not have a nurse on staff at the time, so they asked me if I would do training with my son's potential caregivers. Well, of course I would! I spent about 3 hours with the family, teaching them all about how to feed him, trip train him, deal with seizures, and ways to keep him safe. I wrote it all up and submitted the document. About a week later, the agency called me and asked for my resume. I started out prn, doing training with caregivers and within a couple months we all agreed that this was a much bigger job. I joined the company and the rest is history. I have about 75 clients who live all over the state.

I believe that what I bring to the table is my experiences on both sides of the bed, so to speak. Without my broad nursing experience I would not be able to provide the kind of nursing support that many of these clients need (about 75% of our clients are over 45, so they're starting to develop those chronic illnesses typical of that age group.) On the other hand, I've been the mother of a severely DD child and children with mental health issues which are also common to DD clients. As a younger nurse I would not have been able to do this job.

It never occurred to me in a million years that I could go to work with a non-profit agency, but I absolutely love it. I love going out on home visits to see about my clients and do training with their caregivers. I love interacting with and training their social workers too. In fact, I love working for an agency where every single staff member is working toward providing our clients and caregivers with the best and safest living experience possible. This is the most fun job I've ever had!

[momrn94]

Sounds awesome. Good for you!