Milla- things just work out for Milla. Sean has been interviewing for months at various positions with no luck. Milla submitted a single application to JoAnn's fabrics, went into to the store 3 days later to follow-up with the manager and walked out with a job offer. She just has a way about her that imbues trust. The wait was that it took a month to get paperwork and schedules up and running. But she is loving it. (this is supplementing her other part time job with the Aurora Schools Foundation) Cutting fabric more than dealing with upset customers when coupons don't work, but loving it none the less. Her current claim to fame? The only employee (at least on her shifts) that can reach the alarm to turn on at closing without using a stool.
Sean- as I mentioned, it's been a frustrating search. Who knew their were so many places that only hire people 18+ yo? Along with local stores, Sean applied to 10 apprenticeships with a program (non-profit?) in the area called CareerWise that is in only it's 2nd year. They recruit companies (healthcare, tech, financial) to give 3-yr apprenticeships to Jr and Sr's in high school that not only pay, but also encourage exploration of various positions w/in the company and often have college tuition reimbursement programs to encourage attendance once the kids get to that point. He got great experience just learning business etiquette in his interviews. A few weeks ago he landed a position with Pinnacol Assurance in Aurora (a worker's comp insurance business). He attended the 3 day long CareerWise bootcamp downtown (that he got to all on his own via car/train) and really felt proud to be part of the experience. He even got to shake the governor's hand after he addressed the students. This whole idea of apprenticeships in right in line with changes Sean would like to see in education- as he feels the school system are not keeping up with changes in society, so it's a good fit for him. I am just so proud that he pretty much headed this up and followed through on his own to make it happen! Still hard for me to accept he'll be 18 in just a couple months.
He begins Aug 13, when he'll spend 2 days a week at work alternating with 2-3 days a week at school. He also got recommended for a few things for the coming yr that he is going to try to fit in as well: TA in chemistry, general tutor for students needing help a couple periods a week, and web leader (the kids that go to various events throughout the yr to answer parents/students questions, direct them, etc). Really stepping it up and finding some strengths that he has this year. He's also being my 'house manager' this summer, spending hours a day cleaning, doing yard work, home repair projects and grocery shopping for me, with a little (a lot of) gaming on the side. What am I going to do when these kids leave home?
CarrieAnn- School is calming a little, or maybe I'm just getting comfortable with the routine, so I decided I needed to add a little more to my schedule. So I applied for a job. I've pretty much narrowed my nursing focus to 1. ICU or 2. School nursing. This may not seem to be a narrowing to you as these are at 2 ends of a spectrum of nursing, but to me they both fill needs for me. Just in a little different ways.
I need connection. ICU is very team focused where you work with just 1-2 patients and depend on the other nurses, Drs and aides for support. You also get to interact with the family more intently than on the regular floors. It's very cohesive which I love. In schools you get connection with the students and have multi-year relationships with them.
I need challenge. ICU is obviously very acute and always a challenge to stay on top of any little change in the patient. School nursing is very autonomous and a lot to coordinate and so challenging in a different way.
I enjoy addressing Mental Health. Schools- well that's obvious- mental health teaching is essential. ICU- I read an article recently that said something like 50-80% of those leaving the ICU (and their families) experience PTSD to some degree. That's insane! It's always going to be a stressful sitution for patients and families, but obviously there is a lot of improvement to be made in addressing mental health in the ICU setting.
Anyhow, long story a little shorter, I just got an offer to work in the STICU (surgical trauma ICU) at our University Hospital as an ACP (glorified nurses aide). It's a position just for nursing students, so it's flexible; just work one 12 hr shift/wk. I hope it will build my skills and give me a better idea if this is really a place I'd like to be!
Last but not least I will leave you with a little movie clip of Sean performing in his theatre final last Spring. I don't know how to edit, so there are 2 shorts on the same clip. He is in the 2nd one. I thought he was pretty awesome.
