Job Transition Again

February 23, 2005

“I will sing of Thy power, yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning; for Thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.” Psalm 59:16 (KJV)

Dear Lord, Let me be occupied with You today and not myself. Thank You that You dwell in my heart and have given me a new song. Thank You that You will do this job through me today. Not I, but Christ. Amen.

Dr. S., my boss, told me that the Chief Executive Officer of the Rehab Organization was going to be let go because they are so far in debt. I asked the Lord if He wants to look for another job, and He opened the door for me to have three job interviews this week with the largest health insurance company in the USA. They place a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in each long-term care nursing home to assess the residents monthly who enroll with them rather than Medicare. The goal is to prevent and treat problems quickly in the nursing home and prevent hospitalizations. Their NPs  now work in 13 states. The company is even taking their model to England. They are doing well financially, and their stocks are selling for $90 a share. The salary and benefits are good, but I would have to work 40 hours per week rather than my current 30 hours per week.

I observed Kathy, one of the Insurance NPs, work at a nursing home yesterday. She worked for the company in another state for 5 years, left for 2 years, and just returned to work in this state the past month. She spoke highly of them and told me the positive and negative things about the company. It would be exciting to get in on the ground floor in this state since they just started here last July. So I’m asking God to make it crystal clear what He would have me to do. I thank Him that He goes before me. I want His choice – not mine. He knows that I am frail as dust, and I want Him to use my life for His glory and honor.

March 3, 2005

The insurance company offered me the job last Friday and I accepted. The manager is placing me in a beautiful 500-bed nursing home 20 minutes south of my home. The commute should not be too hectic since it is all highway, and I will be driving opposite the rush hour traffic. I told Dr. S. and the rehab staff that I am leaving, and they are sad to see me go. He and my sister both said the insurance company does not have a good reputation among health care providers. So I’ll see how it all works out. I am trusting the Lord to guide me with His eye.

March 9, 2005

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless You abide in Me.” John 15:4 (NKJV)

Dear Lord, Thank You that I am seated with You in heaven right now positionally. Help me look down from Your point of view. I look forward to seeing what You will do in and through me today. Cause me to rest in You and relax and let You do it all through me because I AM NOTHING. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

I stopped in the nursing home and Lee, NP, who now works for the insurance company, gave me a nice tour. It is a gorgeous clean facility with rehab, long-term care, and three dementia units. They also have radiology (Xray) and pharmacy in the facility and medical staff on site 24/7. They will assign me to work on one of the dementia units and one of the long-term care units. My caseload will be about 80 residents who I will assess monthly and as needed if they have a new medical problem.

I spoke with Dr. S. and I offered to work one Saturday each month on the rehab unit at the hospital which he gladly accepted. This should help me keep in touch with patients who are improving rather than declining and with what is happening in the hospital world so I don’t lose all my skills. I thank God for the health He has given me so far.

March 31, 2005

“Leaning on her Beloved.” Song of Solomon 8:5 Thank You, dear Lord, for the delight of leaning on You, my Beloved. Carry me through this time of transition. Thank You that Your grace and strength are sufficient. Amen

Today was my last day at the hospital, and it was very emotional as I tearfully said goodbye to everyone. They gave me such a nice party.

April 3, 2005

My friend Anna and I had a delightful few days touring Philadelphia. The famous Liberty Bell was much smaller than I thought it would be. The trolley tour through the historical part of the city was interesting. This is where the USA all began in 1776! Then I took a decorative painting course which was rather intense but fun to create new things. My new job starts tomorrow!

 

Reflection

And so God led me to learn another specialty in nursing – geriatrics. I was thankful He opened this door into long-term care because it was less stressful than working in the hospital. The rehab unit at the hospital closed within the following months because of financial difficulties, so once again God provided and delivered me. It is truly wonderful to trust in the Lord and follow Him!