Nurse Practitioner in Physical Medicine

July 18, 2003

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (KJV)

I thank the Lord for the good interview with Dr. S. on the rehabilitation unit at the city hospital last week. I ask the Lord to open or close the door according to His will. How wonderful it is to wait upon Him for His perfect timing. I spoke with Dr. S. yesterday after I faxed him a thank you letter with a few more questions. He assured me that the hospital and rehabilitation unit are doing well financially, that my salary is in the budget, and that I definitely have the job.

July 25

I met yesterday with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the rehabilitation network. They spoke highly of Dr. S. and the rehab unit which has a 97% patient satisfaction rate. I am impressed with this organization that began in 1995 and has now expanded to 70 outpatient sites in the state. They are interviewing one other NP for the position which surprised me. God knows which of us is right for this position. I have a third interview next week with Dr. E., the medical director of the entire network.

God blessed me today when I read 2 Thessalonians 3:5. “The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God.” “May our hearts get such a lesson in the love of the Father that, instead of being depressed by trying circumstances, or elated by what are called providential circumstances, we may know that we are the objects of this wonderful love, and are being educated into it by the only One who knew it in all its power as He walked here below through this wilderness world.” JBS

Dear Father, Help me not to go up or down emotionally with my circumstances, but just enjoy Your love and be satisfied with today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

July 30

My interview with Dr. E. this morning seemed to go well. The Vice President called me at 4:30 p.m. and offered me the job. I spoke with Human Resources and will meet with her tomorrow so I can start work on August 5. I reread my June 25 journal requests for my next job and realized that God fulfilled every one of them.

Dear Lord, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Please use me for Your glory and honor in this position. Amen

August 5

My first day at work was interesting. Dr. S. did not know I was coming and was upset with Human Resources for not telling him. I attended the weekly team meeting and listened as the therapists reported on each patient’s progress, recommended a plan of care for the week, and chose a discharge date. I’m looking forward to learning from all the team members in physical, occupational, and speech therapy as well as the neuropsychologist, neurologist, social worker, and discharge nurse. Then I watched some videos about rehab, read manuals, received a key to my new office, and took a tour of the hospital. The most difficult part of the day was maneuvering in the tight parking garage. I couldn’t open my car door because someone parked so close to me. I had to crawl in from the passenger’s side with my dress practically up to my waist. I’m glad no one saw me…

September 22

I had a rough night. I awoke at 3:30 a.m. wondering how my patients were doing and if I ordered the right things for their treatment.

Dear Father, Help me through this day. You know how weary I am. Please do this job through me. Help me to rest in Thee and trust in Thee and remember that none of this will matter 100 years from now. I love You. Amen

October 8

I thank God that work is going better. I feel more comfortable completing the neurological exams on admission and daily rounds on the patients. Next week, the hospital is sending me to New Orleans for a conference for Rehabilitation nurses.

November 3

The conference in New Orleans was a great learning experience. About 1100 RN’s and 30 Nurse Practitioners invaded the huge convention center. A lady friend from church went with me. During our free time, we enjoyed eating in the French quarter, attending a Southern food cooking class, and taking a boat tour through the swamp. I walked a mile to get to the convention center from our hotel the first day but didn’t feel safe, so I took a taxi after that. The deep South sure is different compared to New England.

And so began my first few months in physical medicine. In looking back over my forty-year career, this was my favorite job. I thrilled to watch the patients make slow steady progress until they were strong enough to return home. Of course, some of them had reverses and returned to the hospital. The staff worked well together as a team. The first six months in any new job were the most difficult when my learning curve was steep, but God carried me along once more one day at a time through all the ups and downs.

Little did I dream that Hurricane Katrina would strike New Orleans two years later in 2005 and flood 80% of the city, causing catastrophic destruction.