Interview and pregnancy!!!

Wow...what a moment in my life... I have so many changes going on in my family...you have no idea! My baby is growing in my belly :) and now is moving and kicking me all the time and I just smile and enjoy those moments...it's the best feeling I have ever experienced!!! We also bought a house, new one, so it's building right and will be ready in Dec 2010. Then a couple of days ago I received a call for an interview for a Nurse researcher position. I have applied for the position just a few days ago....cause I keep searching and applying especially after crazy days at work:).
So yesterday I was in such a great mood with my preparation for the interview. For some people interviews are scary...for me it's a great opportunity for something new. I always take time to get ready, I review all the relevant info, such as my papers that could interest an employer and I usually think through my good and bad experiences. I also love to dress up in a suit and get ready. I'm never nervous on my interviews; in fact it's opposite for me, I'm excited. I think that's why I have never been denied a job YET! My dilemma for this interview was weather I should be telling them upfront that I'm pregnant. So I have researched on line about that and found that of course it's against the law to refuse a job because of pregnancy, but it still can be done...right? Knowing influences the interviewer because of the working time limitation.
So, about today's interview: I wore a black suit with a loose shirt, conservative make up, my black glasses and just a couple of rings. I thought that I'll decide weather to tell or not during the interview, once I know more. The interview went great...the lady was wonderful and I didn't have any problems answering her questions, which I have expected and had ready answers for most of them. Then once I knew that this agency will be my employer, I decided to let them know. Especially that they can give me short contracts such as 2-3 months...which is PERFECT for me right now. I did let her know about my pregnancy at the end, after I got the impression that she was ready to employ me. The interviewer took it very easy and asked me when I'm due and she asked how my pregnancy was going and I said very well and that I'm not sick and don't miss my job shifts.
Anyway, I'm staying positive, even though I'm a bit nervous whether she was influenced by that. G was saying that I shouldn't have said anything, but I feel differently and I feel confident. No matter what happens it wasn't a waste of time. It was another experience and I really do hope that we live in a fair society where pregnancy should not be a barrier in women workforce!!!

I haven't written in a while, but today I had a n urge to write after watching Oprah's show about celebrities and their first jobs. One of them worked at Dairy Queen and of course my memories just overflowed me with my 1st job in Canada. It was DQ, 5 min away form home. I had been only 3 moths in Canada and my English practice was pretty much as old. It was quite a journey with learning everything at the same time: language, the names of different candies, making the DQ cone, Canadian work ethics, communication and customer service. I will never forget my 1st day when I couldn't even understand the simple sentence from my manager: she was asking me to bring a mop. However, she was nice enough to go with me WITH a SMILE and show what she asked me to bring and do. Ooooo I did cry that night...but I did go back and ended up staying there for 2 years while I was studying in school.

Catching up with what is happening with me these days!

It's a beautiful day today! It's sunny and smells like spring outside. I just love today! It's 0520pm. I almost finished cooking something I made up as usual :) and I want to catch up from last posting.

My pregnancy: We are 12 weeks!!! He he...my belly bump just starting to show...but I love this baby so much already. We talk to our baby and can't wait to see her or him!

My work: I've been working independently now for several weeks and I'm LOVING IT! I was worried at first, but I knew that I was more than ready after being with preceptor for 6 months. I was fine on my 1st day, even though it was a crazy day with patient discharge and then admission of day 2 post valve surgery...pretty busy patient. Plus my other patients. So I was running around, but I was not afraid to ask for help and of course I received it and from that day on, I have been absolutely fine, great actually! Now, I am the professional, independent, make my own decisions, and accountable to myself for my actions. I don't have to spend time running around and making sure my preceptor knows everything that is going on with patients. It actually saves a lot of time. I had a couple of rough days, but overall it's been great! Now I feel that I'm a true health care professional. There is always something I'm not sure of, but I'm not in the forest, there are always people around me and they are great. I started to use various resources and of course internet is a big help, especially for a question you feel embarrassed to ask..he he.

My research work with Dr. F: I talked to them about my pregnancy and that I probably would not be able to work since I'm due in Nov. We decided that I will not particularly do the project, but I will help with whatever they need. So I needed to start researching the articles about CVD in Chinese Canadians and Chinese in China. It's hard to work at home, so I went to HI library for a couple of hours. We went for a coffee with E, assistant of Dr.F, such a nice girl! It was a good and productive day. So I just keep researching for now.

Insurance assessments: No more clients yet for now :(, but it's ok with me.

New ideas: We have a very good smoking cessation program at HI where a lot of nurses are working and helping people with education and medication. I found out who is the Dr. So on my way home, I went to find out about him and I talked to a lady from the secretary office and she gave a couple of contacts who would know if they have any employment opportunities. It'd be a great job during pregnancy, 8 hour shifts, and only days. It'd be super to get that job!

When you have options you have a chance for a change!

There are a few new things with me. I sort of started working with Dr.F. with research but no news about a grant yet. We meet once a week, him, his assistant and me. We discuss whatever they work on and I helped with one review project with AMJ article update. This week we met and they proposed something to me. It's a competition for a pilot study...very interesting and Dr.F proposed that I would do the application and introduction to get registered for the competition. I'm very excited!!! I will have to review papers and think about it. If we win, the grant would be release in august. My little dilemma with all of it....I'm pregnant!!! So I'm due November 8th. He he...yeaaah we're 7 weeks. I'm so happy!!! So I have to talk to them and discuss all that.
Another opportunity i got is doing assessment for insurance companies. That was so strange how I found out about it. There is a Russian guy, who works at HI and he came up to me and said "would you be interested in doing assessments?". Of course my answer was "YES" and I was in the middle of something in patient's room; so I came out and gave him my phone number. The bonus of having me for them is that I speak Russian and English since they often have Russian clients. Next thing I know I got a call and had a meeting that week. I had my first client last week. It took me a while to get through with documentation, but I did it, sent it, I still have to get paid, but I'm sure I will. Then we'll see how many clients I'll be getting.
Also, tomorrow I'll be starting on my own, without my great mentor, who I love. She'll be there though. It's a big day for me. I feel as though I can't leave, not until I prove to myself I can do it myself and then I can safely leave whenever I want to because I just know it's not my place, but it is an amazing journey and experience.

So lot's of news and they are all exciting, I almost feel overwhelmed a bit by all of it. However, I love it because when you have options you have a chance for a change!

Today is my GOOD DAY! :)

Today is my GOOD DAY! I finally moved forward a bit! I had an interview with Dr.F in our heart institute. I think I'm getting a job there, but it's very vague, they have to wait until they get a grant for various research projects. We had a great interview I was not nervous, I was fully prepared, I had my resume (even though he didn't asked for it), I printed a few papers I wrote in university. He was impressed and said that he'll review them. We had a great conversation, he explained that they study and work internationally to help reduce CVDs in other countries. They'll work with Russians as well. Right now they work with China, Hungary, and Ukraine. I'm soooo excited! I'm ready to Work and ROLL. As of right now, he offered to start slowly getting into what they are doing and we have to wait for results for funding! If they get it, I'M IN!!! Yeeeeey! I start on 5th!!! I'll definitely follow up on that!
On my way out I was sooo happy I could barely keep out my smile. On the way out of HI, there was a lady selling bracelets from swarowski beads, which I love, and only $10. I said to myslef I have to get since it's a very important and successful day in my career! I got a blue one, it's so pretty and shiny, I'm not taking it off until I know for sure where I end up in a near future! I really do believe that it could be a real start in finding my true passion!!! Cardiology, research, prevention, and international epidemiology...it sounds great to me!!!

An update

I want to update about my job at the hospital. I ended up applying for a temp full time on my floor. I got one interview invitation from about 30 applications I sent, but I work on the day of the interview. It at addiction clinic. I called the guy and he said he might arrange another interview for me, but I doubt that. He will have a few interviews on Fri and in case he won't find a suitable person, then he might e-mail me. We'll see. That's why I had to apply because time is tight and our floor is short on staff. Oh, i almost forgot. I did contact that doctor about cardiology research. So I might have something coming up with him after Feb 17. We'll have a meeting and we'll see. I'm very excited about that!!!

One step at a time

I wanted to follow up on my post regarding CHEO lottery. Unfortunately I didn't win anything. However, I'm happy money went to children hospital not to somebody's pocket, it's for the good cause and that's the reason I bought this expensive lottery in the first place. Nothing's really changed since last post. I still work at the same place, but I have less than a month on my internship program, I have to apply for a position. I have to do it this month. I decided to apply and start working there since nothing has come up yet. I will call one doctor regarding research at our institute and I hope he got a grant for a study and he would take me. I really want it. I did applied different places last week, nothing is heard. G works at his clinic. Since massage therapy is very hard work as well as bed side nursing, we are currently thinking to start another business, but not sure what yet. We're researching for now. We both know our jobs very hard and they don't pay that well for what we do...so we got to do something, but one step at a time!!!

Sweet patients!

WOw...I got up an hour ago after my post-night sift morning snooze. It's carzy outside, snowstorm after warm days. I have one more night to go.
This night shift was actually pretty good. My one room with 4 gentlemen whom I had 2 days. They're all so cute and all were seeking my attention. Once I come in in the room, everybody needs something :), but most of the time it was to talk. They are all nice guys with different problems, but with so much appreciation for the care I was providing for them. That's a great reward of bedside nursing. Patients appreciate your hard work. One of those guys came in because he had fainted 4 times in one day at home and doctors were thinking he has a heart block, maybe even mechanical like a tumor. Echo results were good, Angio showed healthy arteries; so nobody knows the cause. Anyway, he is very chatty and everytime I come in, he'd tell me stories. The other day I had a complex admission in the same room, so I was just running all day. He saw me running in and out of the room all day long. So he'd tell me "We keep u busy here in this room". At the end of the day he was so sweet; he told me, "You need a glass of wine or two and if your husband will mind tell him to come and see me". Today he's going home and before I left he said,"He'll drink a glass of wine for me at home". It was sooo sweet!!!

Getting more confident and independent as RN!

I'm back from my last night shift! I have 4 more days off...YEY!!! My day shifts were kind of busy and my night shifts were very nice with patients that I know and I did learned and reviewed how to deal with temp pacemakers since I had a pt with one. I was actually proud of myself because I felt so independent and felt more sure about all the things I had to deal with such as hanging IV drugs and trouble shooting those IV lines, drawing blood from PICC, and PICC dressings. We are also currently going through recertification of cardiology and safety of handling biohazardous materials. I'm kind of at the point where I have to start working on my own, I have to apply for a position...but I'm unsure if i want to stay there or not. Today is 5 months since I started. I was thinking to start part time and keep looking for a job. We'll see. However, I can say that I feel that I'll be alright to be independent. I feel pretty confident by now. I already make my own decisions. I and Gev going on my work's christmas party on Sat; it's a big one for the whole HI. I think it'll be exciting and we'll get to meet a lot of people!
On a side from my work....I'm an aunty again...K and S's baby girl was born today at 0025!!! We saw her today!!! She is a copy of my husband :) and my father in law. It's so interesting!!! We're all very excited!!!

"I'm awake, energized, and alive!"

I feel so much better...And I just came from work, unusual..huh?! I actually had a good day today, still busy, but steady! I also just watched a visualization from The Secret and that heading is from there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phL0RLKL8bc&feature=channel I loved that short video, it just brings the mood up and gives you such a positive feeling! I have to work 2 more nights and I'm ok with that! I made a plan to go for a walk with my hubby tomorrow, just dress warm and enjoy that beautiful crispy winter air. I find right now we are so disconnected from nature because of the winter...I feel drained and we don't sleep well lately! So we'll get some energy tomorrow from our mother nature beauty! As for work, I had good experience and I learned more today. I will continue to learn and get better and look for more opportunities! I have the potential and I'll soon find my dream job!!! :) Oh, I feel so good now! I gotta stay on that positive truck!

Still on a search for a dream job

I still work on Cardiology/sx floor. I'm getting better and better and I learn a lot everyday. Of course the business of the place doesn't ease up...but some days are better than others. I had my days off and tomorrow I start my rotation. Meanwhile I keep searching for other jobs and sending out resumes, but nothing promising yet. I feel so down today...I don't even know why. Everything is not the way I want it...or maybe it's better...who knows...THE GOD. He is the one who is giving us all the challenges and joys at the right times. As Gev says anything that happens in our lives is for better. I agree. I also have this crazy headache or migraine and I just hope it goes away by the morning.

Ooooh Evangeline!!!

Why do I always get inspired by watching a movie or, this time, cartoon "The Princess and the Frog"? (You'd have to watch the cartoon to really get this post!) I don't know...but I guess it allows you to dream and just get outside of the real world! I wanted to say that working hard is been my way through pretty much everything in my life starting in grade 1 when I was struggling with math and Russian class and my mom would spend a lot of time getting through homework with me. I guess I learned it then that you have to work hard to get anything. Up to grade 6 my marks were steady, not good. Then I remember that grade 6 when we moved to Novorossyisk and it was first Russian test and I was the only one who got the best grade 5! And the teacher said " I'm so proud that our new girl in the class got the highest mark...and I had no idea that she was talking to me until she said my name. I was shocked! However, it was a magical moment cause since then I was a student with high marks in almost all the subjects. I still had to work hard and do my homework. I always knew I wanted to go to university and achieve something in my life to help first, my parents, who also worked and still working soooo hard. Unfortunately in our country working hard is not enough to make a normal living. So I told my self I'll be working hard to get through obstacles, but I'll get there!!! Then I moved to Canada to my hubby, but still knew we had to work hard here to get somewhere...work, education. We did it! Now I'm working at my job. I'm sort of satisfied, but I still feel that I'm going through another obstacle of hard physical and emotional time! It's not easy to force yourself into the high paced environment of hospital where you have responsibility of peoples' lives and you have piles of work and millions of information and phone numbers, tests, charting, meds...you have to prioritize...you have to be on time...you have to go on break...but wheeeeeen???? It gets so overwhelming...on 31st I was so busy all day and I came in to hang my last med to my patient...he told me "Sit down...sit down now...at least for a minute and relax!" I listened to him...ha gave me a cookie and said just eat it and sit back your medication will not run anywhere. I was soooo grateful to him for forcing me to sit...I enjoyed that 5 minute conversation and I felt like my patient was taking care of his nurse for once! It was so nice...I Thank HIM and I hope he'll recover soon from his sternal wound infection.
Anyway, back to my hard work :). After watching this magical cartoon, I got re energized for working even harder to achieve me next goal: My Dream Job, which I still have to discover by trying different options, but meanwhile I have to coninue on my current job and learn as much as I can and meet people, and looking out for other options. I'm sure my current experience will halp me in the future! And as everything I worked for in my life, it'll pay off! All my little struggles which never stopped me from going on, they all paid off!!! And I'll continue! I still have to help my parents! It's one of my main goals!!! I want to help them to fix our house in Russia, to see them going on vacation once and just enjoying their life and not constantly thinking on hoe to earn more money to pay for everything and save a bit! I know everything will be great!!! Especially if I ask Evangeline, "Please, please, please!" :) We all need a little bit of magic to get through! He he!