I believe things are look up.....

Sitting here reading over my last post, I was in quite a slump. I'm happy to report, things are looking up. An ad was placed in the local paper. The responses were overwhelming. Each day I got 20-30 applications for one open position. They were mechanics, accountants, teachers, and a host of others. Not too many had real long term care experience, let alone activity programming experience.

Last week was a blur of long hours and interviews. With the economy what it is, I scheduled 6-8 a day for several days. It didn't take long to weed out the ones that were not appropriate for the position. I felt really bad for several of the people. They needed a job so bad. I can't tell you how many days I came home and thanked the good Lord I had a job.

After second interview of the top two candidates, my boss ask to let him think about them for a while. Thirty-five minutes later, he came to my office and said to hire them both. Something I wasn't expecting. He wanted one of my newest part time guys gone. Said he wasn't catching on quick enough. I got the honors of telling the little guy he didn't have a job anymore. I didn't feel too good about that. I still have one other girl who has been coached and coached and doesn't seem to be improving. If she doesn't step it up soon, she may have to go too. Again, not something I am looking forward to. I hate to see people loose their jobs, especially with the economy the way it is,

On a brighter note, I had two new people ( a girl and a guy) in orientation on Tuesday. The guy has worked two days and I can already see changes, for the better, in our existing team. Seeing the young guy gone may have had something to do with it too. The second new person doesn't start until after the 13th, (she had to give notice at her other job). I believe she will be a positive addition.

Being a five star facility is a lot of work. The boss is always pushing the staff to do better, better, best! And that's not a bad thing. I guess that's the way we became a five star facility. Having high expectation of you staff will yield quality service delivered. And in the end, isn't that's what we are looking for?

So, having had several long weeks of falling behind in the paper work and more interview that I want to do in a year, I believe things are looking up. Having the new people in place and getting them seasoned before our really busy time gets here, is a good thing. We have Easter, mother's day, national nursing home week and a senior prom, all in the next eight week. The additional help, is a true blessing. I believe they will add a lot of great support and assistance in delivering quality programming and service to our seniors.

And in the mist of all that, I did my taxes, or at least they got done. Truth be told, my daughter did them for me. It takes me about 4-5 hours to do the taxes. She being a natural banker, she wipes them out in about 1 1/2 hours, and I don't have to think about them anymore. For the record, if you don't have your taxes done, you only have 20 days. Just what you wanted to hear, right?

Quote of the day:Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

God Bless. Good Night.

Change is good, right?

Ever had one of those weeks at work, where the stress is so thick you can cut it with a knife. I'm moving into my second week of one. One of the the part time activity aides, that worked 32 hours, gave notice she could only work every other weekend She's coming to the end of her school and has labs and co-oping. I was really okay with that. I knew it was coming. Then a full time aide on the memory unit, gave notice last Wednesday (not even a full two week notice). She said she wants to begin living her life, not just existing. She wants to do some traveling and maybe open a business with some friends in North Carolina. (I want to do some traveling)

The week ended with the State coming in on a complaint on Friday. We were kinda, sorta, expecting them because of a discharge on a resident with some behavior issues that were harmful to other residents. They ended up finding more than was bargained for. The boss was in a terrible mood all day. Those are the kind of days you really want to hide somewhere.

After a fairly quiet weekend, I was all ready for a calmer, much less stressful week. So far that hasn't happened. Monday was a typical busy, crazy Monday. It ended with a lovely dinner with my daughter and the grands. Today. Today was just tuff! Another girl in my department, called today, (she was scheduled off today), said if the one girl won't be working on the unit, she may want to transfer to another department, where she also has experience. ( In my meeting with the boss, I know this isn't going to happen because he will not ok the transfer.) Knowing the girls asking, maybe that's a good thing.

I topped the day off with the boss calling me into his office to tell me my department was falling apart, (well, dah!). Truthfully the remaining five or ten minutes in his office was somewhat a blur. Something about forgetting to run the ad and I may need to come in extra to run some programming. I think the real reason I was brought into the office was because the activity aide that was leaving was the first one for the facility and he wasn't ready to let her go yet and needed to vent.

When I left the office I should have gone in to finished my paper work. Instead, I went down on the units with the residents and joined the activity in progress. The residents always lift my spirits and re-affirm the reason I love my job, even when I am having a bad day.

When I left work tonight, I have to say, I was still dragging, but I did feel better hanging out with the residents. They help me put things into prospective.

Tomorrow is another day. And I believe all things happen for a reason. Maybe this is God's way of making me see things in a different light. I used to hate change, but maybe change is just what we need. Our programming could use a boost.

On a good note, I had two new part timers, students, in the orientation class today. They both start this week on the evening shift. They are really young and green but everybody has to start somewhere.

I haven't posted much lately. Maybe no one will even read this, but I feel better. I usually come in and read other people's troubles and go aways without posting because my problems seem small in comparison. Thanks for letting me bend your ear.

Today's quote is actually a bible verse: "If God takes you to it, He will see you through it".

God Bless. Good Night.