One of my goals is to eventually be able to purchase a house. Many of my nursing colleagues are purchasing homes that are worth $450,000, $500,000 or even more. Sadly, my budget is about half of that or even less, which means the houses I have to choose from are not appealing. Most of them are small, old, or both.
I am just curious how other nurses manage to purchase decent houses? I've been looking through my income, and I just can't find a way to make it possible to incorporate such a house into my budget. I am salary, so there are no opportunities for overtime.
What are other nurses' experience with buying houses? How did you make it work? Did it require switching jobs? Inquiring minds want to know!
An hourly job doesn't necessarily provide you with a guaranteed set of income, as they could call you off and you would lose hours, and therefore, income. Also, when you start a new job, you're at increased risk for being fired if, for some reason, it turns out not to be a match. But at the same time, 70-90+ hour work weeks aren't that sustainable either.
I think that depends on where you are working the hourly job. My hourly job is unionized. I am guaranteed my control hours. They can call and ask if I'd like to downstaff or take call, but they can't force me. If I say no, they go to the next person. Eventually, somewhere down the line, someone wants a day off. If literally no one wants a day off, we're overstaffed for that shift, but that rarely happens.
It is true that with a new job you have a probationary period during which you could be fired. But, as you point out, you're not going to last long-term in your current situation, either. Better to find some place that has a CHANCE of working out than to stay in a job that you know is doomed.
Update: Did meet with therapist today finally. She basically reiterated much of what has already been said about housing, relationships, etc. Unfortunately, I don't feel as if my concerns were really addressed, including the severity of my mood changes. I think maybe in the past, I've been seen as an easy patient, so it seems like she probably expects that each and every visit will be quick. I mentioned worsening depression and surprised she didn't screen me for that. I also don't feel as if one 15 minute visit every 3 months is enough so I might look elsewhere.
With that said, from a nursing perspective, this was a good reminder to make sure to actually listen to what a patient is saying, even if it means spending more time with them. Make sure all patient concerns are addressed and don't assume that just because someone didn't need much in the past, they don't need anything now.
.... I mentioned worsening depression and surprised she didn't screen me for that. I also don't feel as if one 15 minute visit every 3 months is enough so I might look elsewhere.
With that said, from a nursing perspective, this was a good reminder to make sure to actually listen to what a patient is saying, even if it means spending more time with them. Make sure all patient concerns are addressed and don't assume that just because someone didn't need much in the past, they don't need anything now.
Among all your wild & wacky postings, this is prob the most insightful & reality-based post you've made. Hope it's all for real and that you aren't continuing to pull our collective chains. Good luck to you that you'll the right connect with a therapist.
Among all your wild & wacky postings, this is prob the most insightful & reality-based post you've made. Hope it's all for real and that you aren't continuing to pull our collective chains. Good luck to you that you'll the right connect with a therapist.
All of this is true. I had a therapist years ago who I really liked but she ended up retiring. Our visits were usually 30 minutes but she would extend to an hour if needed or move up the next appointment. II've struggled to find one that is similar since. They've all been nice enough but too quick to brush over any concerns. I think they are counting on me to be a "quick in and out" which isn't what I'm looking for
Our visits were usually 30 minutes but she would extend to an hour if needed or move up the next appointment.
This is not a usual appointment plan. In my graduate program, when I was counseling, I found sometimes some startling or new information would come up right before the end of the session.My preceptor said this is not unusual and to conclude the session, making that new idea the focus of the next session. I know this is not true of you, but some boundaries need to be set.
I am not big on self disclosure of personal mental health problems but I have found that my TSH T4 levels really correlate to my mood. I can not get these to a stable level. I went to meet a new Family Practice Physician earlier this week and found the usual abnormalities of thyroid levels, and I am in the toilet on B12. I am hoping all will be better.
I had my last primary physician for 30 years before he retired. It is so hard to transfer....I located one that is younger than me!
This is not a usual appointment plan. In my graduate program, when I was counseling, I found sometimes some startling or new information would come up right before the end of the session.My preceptor said this is not unusual and to conclude the session, making that new idea the focus of the next session. I know this is not true of you, but some boundaries need to be set.
I am not big on self disclosure of personal mental health problems but I have found that my TSH T4 levels really correlate to my mood. I can not get these to a stable level. I went to meet a new Family Practice Physician earlier this week and found the usual abnormalities of thyroid levels, and I am in the toilet on B12. I am hoping all will be better.
I had my last primary physician for 30 years before he retired. It is so hard to transfer....I located one that is younger than me!
OK, good to know. Is it usual to only have one appointment every 3 months? Just asking to make sure I don't have any unrealistic expectations. And I do agree about boundaries needed. As a nurse, if you get too involved with any one particular person or case, it gets to be a bit much and/or leads to imbalance of professional duties, so I get it. Needs to be a balance that doesn't result in either over or under involvement.
OK, good to know. Is it usual to only have one appointment every 3 months? Just asking to make sure I don't have any unrealistic expectations. And I do agree about boundaries needed. As a nurse, if you get too involved with any one particular person or case, it gets to be a bit much and/or leads to imbalance of professional duties, so I get it. Needs to be a balance that doesn't result in either over or under involvement.
In my experience therapy appointments were weekly for 30-45 minutes. Can't imagine 15 minutes! I would look elsewhere. But I also think you should talk to your Dr who could decide to order an anti-depressant or even refer you to a psychiatrist for medical management.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
17 hours ago, SilverBells said:
All of this is true. I had a therapist years ago who I really liked but she ended up retiring. Our visits were usually 30 minutes but she would extend to an hour if needed or move up the next appointment. II've struggled to find one that is similar since. They've all been nice enough but too quick to brush over any concerns. I think they are counting on me to be a "quick in and out" which isn't what I'm looking for
I too had a great therapist who ended up retiring. When we first started I was very guarded and had by perverbial covers pulled tight. After three sessions she told me "You are fired as a patient. What we are doing here is wasting my time and your money. You can come back when you are ready to do the hard work!
When I was able to swallow my pride I called and we started "The hard work" 4 years of very intensive therapy. She ultimately reccomended that I see a psychiatrist as well as I took antidepressants for about a year. It was worth every dollar and every hour I spent.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
On 4/29/2021 at 11:41 AM, SilverBells said:
I think maybe in the past, I've been seen as an easy patient, so it seems like she probably expects that each and every visit will be quick. I mentioned worsening depression and surprised she didn't screen me for that. I also don't feel as if one 15 minute visit every 3 months is enough so I might look elsewhere.
I sense part of the reason you may be seens as an easy patient, SilverBells, are your good communication skills.
I have noticed your replies to the various threads and posts follow a format of acknowledging what another has stated- a type of verbal listening- and then a new premise is stated or the previous premise is debated. These are two quality communication skills. Most posters on this site do not even objectively acknowledge another's premise without launching into a challenge with great temerity.
Also, you have noted that you and I have a showing of respect in common. That could be another reason why you're seen as an easy patient. Many therapists are drawn to drama and want to fix others. These types of therapists may not see you as requiring fixing. After all, you have good communication skills, and are not overtly dramatic.
When I went through art therapy over 20 years ago, while experiencing multiple major life crises, the sessions were every two weeks for at least an hour, and went on for six months.
I also supplemented my art therapy through various other endeavors, in the days before the internet was big, through such things as self help books, nutritional supplements, exercise, spiritual endeavors, and Emotions Anonymous meetings.
Those were very dark and depressing days for me, but the consciousness changing results were invaluable.
One final point that I wish to make on something I sense and identify with you, SilverBells: Your sensationalistic threads may be the result of you channelling your psyche pain into a diversional method in which you call attention to yourself and in which you can deal.
We often create arenas to work out unresolved issues.
turtlesRcool
718 Posts
I think that depends on where you are working the hourly job. My hourly job is unionized. I am guaranteed my control hours. They can call and ask if I'd like to downstaff or take call, but they can't force me. If I say no, they go to the next person. Eventually, somewhere down the line, someone wants a day off. If literally no one wants a day off, we're overstaffed for that shift, but that rarely happens.
It is true that with a new job you have a probationary period during which you could be fired. But, as you point out, you're not going to last long-term in your current situation, either. Better to find some place that has a CHANCE of working out than to stay in a job that you know is doomed.