Life changed, drastically, in the last three months. At 55, my husband, Steven, decided to take an early retirement, and my life changed. After 19 years of being a Stay-At-Home-Mom, I was about to venture out into the workforce again. Sure, I'd been an elementary school teacher for 10 years, but the gap in my professional work history was pretty big, and I didn't want to go back to my previous career. So, at 51 years old, I was sticking my foot back into the water, and I was almost convinced I'd drown.
My search for a job had conditions. I needed to secure health benefits for my husband, my daughter, and myself. I knew I wouldn't be suited for over night shifts. A chronic illness would prevent me from doing serious physical labor, and an 8 hour shift was about all I'd be able to get through without physical consequences. More importantly, I would need to find a job where Sundays off was an option. Sundays in my family are the day when we we all get together at my mother's house (or mine in the "play outdoors" weather) and laugh, play, eat, debate, swim, drink wine, discuss life, and have Starbucks. It's a tradition I was determined to maintain. So, where could I find something to meet these conditions and find myself fulfilled and challenged? The search began.
Some day, I'll get into the details of the job search, but, for today, I'll just tell you where it ended. I was offered a job as a Pharmacy Technician for a well known business in my area. Why was I drawn to this opportunity? It seemed challenging and intellectually stimulating. It allowed me to work with people, and I happen to like most people. There would be plenty of interaction, which I knew would keep my mind busy and make time move quickly. I felt I could make a contribution. I would be able to secure the health benefits my family needed, and Sundays off was a go. I accepted the offer, and that's where the journey, and this blog, begin.
In the two plus months since I began my job, my brain has been working overtime to catch up on everything I need to know to do my job well. There is so much important information to memorize. So many rules and procedures and medication names and insurance policies and more. Is it challenging? Heck yes! Is it busy? No doubt. Is it fun? YES, it is fun, and I work with some really great people who make it even more fun. Sure, I'm still flailing about a little as I try to put the pieces into place, but, each day I feel like I've made progress in the right direction. And, each day, something happens which taps into my education and years as a teacher, and makes me want to inform people about the way the pharmacy works, from my point of view, so they'll be more knowledgeable, and possibly less surprised or frustrated in their experiences.
With that said, get ready for some stories, good and bad, that might help you the next time you're waiting in line. Maybe, just maybe, you'll find out something that changes your perspective and brings you a more positive experience. I know, when I'm behind the counter, I'm striving for a positive interaction with each and every customer. Sometimes I win. Sometimes I lose. Each time, I want to make it better <3
-C-
My search for a job had conditions. I needed to secure health benefits for my husband, my daughter, and myself. I knew I wouldn't be suited for over night shifts. A chronic illness would prevent me from doing serious physical labor, and an 8 hour shift was about all I'd be able to get through without physical consequences. More importantly, I would need to find a job where Sundays off was an option. Sundays in my family are the day when we we all get together at my mother's house (or mine in the "play outdoors" weather) and laugh, play, eat, debate, swim, drink wine, discuss life, and have Starbucks. It's a tradition I was determined to maintain. So, where could I find something to meet these conditions and find myself fulfilled and challenged? The search began.
Some day, I'll get into the details of the job search, but, for today, I'll just tell you where it ended. I was offered a job as a Pharmacy Technician for a well known business in my area. Why was I drawn to this opportunity? It seemed challenging and intellectually stimulating. It allowed me to work with people, and I happen to like most people. There would be plenty of interaction, which I knew would keep my mind busy and make time move quickly. I felt I could make a contribution. I would be able to secure the health benefits my family needed, and Sundays off was a go. I accepted the offer, and that's where the journey, and this blog, begin.
In the two plus months since I began my job, my brain has been working overtime to catch up on everything I need to know to do my job well. There is so much important information to memorize. So many rules and procedures and medication names and insurance policies and more. Is it challenging? Heck yes! Is it busy? No doubt. Is it fun? YES, it is fun, and I work with some really great people who make it even more fun. Sure, I'm still flailing about a little as I try to put the pieces into place, but, each day I feel like I've made progress in the right direction. And, each day, something happens which taps into my education and years as a teacher, and makes me want to inform people about the way the pharmacy works, from my point of view, so they'll be more knowledgeable, and possibly less surprised or frustrated in their experiences.
With that said, get ready for some stories, good and bad, that might help you the next time you're waiting in line. Maybe, just maybe, you'll find out something that changes your perspective and brings you a more positive experience. I know, when I'm behind the counter, I'm striving for a positive interaction with each and every customer. Sometimes I win. Sometimes I lose. Each time, I want to make it better <3
-C-
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