Hiya,
So lots has happened to me over the last few years. After I went back to work Ash and I had a chat about what he wanted to do for work as he had gone back to the hospital when I was sick and was portering, which he hated.
After some discussion, which really centered around us leaving the country together and what skills were needed abroad (Aus/NZ), and may have been influenced by the quantity of 'Wanted Down Under' that I had been watching on daytime television, Ash decided to go to college to study Horticulture.
Yes, this did mean that he would not be earning. At first we thought he would be eligible for a grant but that turned out not to be the case and his Dad was instrumental in helping us out.
This did mean that we had another two years of not having a lot of money although as I was able to go to work and do extra shifts, things weren't too bad. Having said that, now he's working I've really noticed the difference in our income. Yay!
Ash spent two years at Hadlow college in Kent which is a land based studies college and graduated this summer - I am super proud of him because for two years running he won prizes...
This big plate was for being the best practical student in Horticulture. He didn't get to keep it though, there were some official photos then it was whipped away to put back in the trophy cabinet - his name is on it though :).
Earlier this year I decided that it was probably time to move jobs. It was difficult to get any training or top up to my degree, the Trust had let me down on what was promised when I joined as I hadn't been able to move into other areas and so I was feeling a bit stuck and I was sick to death of not being able to work efficiently or effectively for my patients because of ridiculous protocols and lack of resources.
I was starting to look around for other jobs but nothing really grabbed me, I thought about going to work on a "normal" ward but the way things are at the moment for nurses, I didn't really want the stress and I think I would struggle to do long days and night shifts. I was already struggling with long days (12 hour shift, even though I only did one a week) because I do not have the stamina that I used to have.
An advert appeared on the Trust intranet for training to be a Health Visitor (which I shall now abbreviate to HV). The London Strategic Health Authority was offering to pay for training and the benefits were that I would be able to top up my diploma to a degree within one year, qualify as a higher grade and they would pay me while I was studying.
I had thought about Health Visiting when I was a student nurse but then it meant another year's training without pay and I was eager to get out there and work. The Government published a new paper earlier this year which was a call to recruit 4,200 new HVs as there was a real drop in numbers and it was something that really excited me - the new way of working, especially involving dads more etc was really progressive and hopeful.
I applied, I had an assessment centre for maths and english skills, I had an interview and I was offered a place! I started in September.
It's been a weird year at work because I applied back in February for this so I knew that even if I didn't get it I would probably leave work anyway. I have not really been at work a lot this year as I have had three lots of surgery and been off work for about 3 months although not all at the same time.
The tissue expander that I had in my right boob was removed as I was having problems with infection. Then I had my right boob reconstructed using muscle from my back (6 hours in theatre!!!!!!!), then I had my left boob lifted and the nipple relocated.
The first and last operations were done at the Day Surgery Unit where I worked and it was lovely to be looked after by my friends. In fact, one of the times I took in some homemade scones, clotted cream and homemade greengage jam. Best cream tea EVER. It may be that having had an anaesthetic it tasted better than it normally would.
Also my two visits to DSU I had my ops alongside other members of staff which was really nice - someone to chat to whilst waiting! I always use waiting for surgery as a really good time to catch up with my sewing - it's been good getting back into cross-stitching whilst I've been off sick. It is proving a little more difficult now I'm working full-time(ish) hours, especially as I said I would do a runner for Mum for her birthday (20th Dec) for Christmas and it's proving to be quite time consuming.
OK I'm leaving it there for today - I will update you on the new job next time..... bet you can't wait!
Liz
xxx
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