So, two weeks have passed since I started my new job. So far, so good! It sure is different than what I've been used to.
First, the site of the facility itself. It's in a residential neighborhood, rather than in the middle of the town square. The building itself is a converted house, which makes it homey and quaint. It took me awhile to adjust. My old building is a converted factory, which is much roomier.
I have to remember to bring my lunch, because I don't have Trader Joe's, CVS, 7-11, Starbucks, and two sub shops within walking difference of my new job. So I've been taking leftovers, and microwavable soups and ramen noodles.
The atmosphere is entirely different from what I'm accustomed to. It's busy, considering that it's a much smaller number of residents (50 when full, rather than 142). But the pace is much slower. At my old building, it was rush rush rush, and the day went by quickly.
Somehow, at my new place, even though the day is busy, time moves at a much slower rate. When I go home at night, it seems like the morning was a couple of days ago! I don't know what to make of it. I guess you could say the mood here is laid back, where I'm used to frantic!
I've also been getting used to my daily Monday through Friday routine. I guess most people prefer to work five days then have the weekend off. I'm used to working most of the weekends and having Monday and Friday off. I'd still do that if I could. But I only have one assistant, since my place is so small. So I need to be there to run the activities. I enjoy doing them.
In my opinion, the weekends are too quiet. So Ill be adding more activity there. I'm working on that now. We do have a volunteer, but I haven't met her yet. It's on my long to-do list.
My office is in the basement, rather than the third floor. I'll always have a special place in my heart for my old office, since I was the one who convinced the administrator at that time to give it to my department back in 2003. I spent ten wonderful years there. With a great view at sunset, and a sink, something the old office didn't have, I loved being there.
My current office isn't bad, though. True, it's window-less. And there's no sink. But when I'm done cleaning it up, it'll be fine. There's a computer desk that my assistant uses when she's there. There's the "Director's" desk, but I don't like it much. It's kind of dumpy. Then there's a long counter top that looks like marble. Above it are two long shelves mounted to the wall. I managed to clear off the counter, and now it's my beautiful desktop. Now I just have to find time to clean off the junk that I put on the other desk!!
Originally, when I heard my office was in the basement, I envisioned being down there all by myself, and lots of cobwebs, like a real cellar. Fortunately, that's not the case. I share the basement with the kitchen, the staff break room, the laundry, and the rehab gym. I like it! Another plus is the storage closet to the right of the office. It's a walk-in closet, really. This space desperately needs weeding out. Once I do that, I'll be satisfied.
The atmosphere I like the most is the feeling of support. Here I have the full blessing of the Administrator and Nursing Director. They believe in my ability, and it feels like a real team! That makes a world of difference.
I guess the biggest difference in being director here than at my old building is the amount of managing I have. Most of the time I'm a department of one- myself. I'm lucky to be able to manage my time because I have the help of the aides. One of them runs an exercise program twice a week. Others pitch in without being asked, to help me pass out food, do manicures, and transport residents to the activities. It's great!
Luckily for me, we don't have a lot of admissions. That makes it easier to keep up with the quarterly and annual progress notes and care plans, not to mention meetings.
Still, I have a lot of work to do, and I'm not satisfied yet with what I've accomplished. I have to schedule more activities for the dementia unit, and add more on the weekends. I'm lucky to have a weekend volunteer-I still have to meet her.
It's the holiday season, which finds me in the thick of planning parties with the team for the staff, residents and family members. I'm also decorating, planning a trip to see the holiday lights, ordering supplies, booking my entertainers for next year. Plenty busy. Most importantly, I'm learning who my residents are and what they like to do.
I have to say a special thank you to my drivers who are getting me back and forth to work. I need to get started on my driving ASAP!
The only complaint I have is that my cell phone barely works in this area. On my first day, the land lines were down, so it was an act of congress calling home! I felt a little lonely and isolated my first week when my phone didn't work. But it's been a little better lately.
I haven't been back to my old job yet, though I will try to get back soon. I hear the residents miss me, and of course I miss them. I have to admit the day went a lot faster there, and maybe it was more "exciting" because there was so much drama. I don't miss the B.S., but I'm still interested in what goes on. I miss my co-workers (most if them, anyway!)
So, when I'm settled in, and I make this place my own, and I know the residents are happy and we're living up to our full potential, I'll be satisfied.
