So...I'm employed again! The past two weeks, I have started a new job after being at home for almost three months trying to figure out what this next stage of my life would look like. Professionally, I am a Board Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse currently working as a Registered Nurse Case Manager for a home health agency. In this new role, I am responsible for coordinating the care of 50 to 75 patients at a time. Basically, I am responsible for reaching out to other healthcare disciplines to ensure patients are progressing well and getting the treatment/medications they need, essentially ensuring that these patients stay out of the hospital.
Surprisingly, this job allows me more flexibility and peace of mind than my hospital job. I am very fortunate to be able to still practice my nursing skills and participate in direct patient care, even in a managerial position. It also allows me the ability to make it home in time for dinner and bathtime.
While I enjoyed the time I spent at home, I knew that I wanted to pivot into a different field of nursing. Thankfully we had the resources for me to take some time to focus on my mental health and reflect on my identity as a person, a wife, and a mother. If feasible, I believe an extended time away from work is necessary and healthy; we are not made to work 24/7 and two day weekends are not adequate "rest days."
I came to realize that while I was serving my family by taking care of the home, I felt I was not doing enough for my family by not utilizing the experience and qualifications I have to be able to bring income to the family. After spending weeks praying and fasting, asking the Lord to make it abundantly clear what direction He wanted our family to go, we felt this job opportunity was a direct answer to our prayers. In this season, working for an agency that gives me a better work-life balance, more autonomy and freedom, and the opportunity to work from home some days and be able to make it home in time other days, seems like the best fit for us right now.
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