to update about my first week.
I love, love, LOVE my new position.
The clients are terrific, and truly want to be there which seems to make all the difference in the world.
My co-workers all seem stable and positive too which is beyond priceless to me.
I am so looking forward to the creativity of the position.
I am leading groups in a day program, so I want to start doing "lesson planning" in advance so I can keep everything fresh and interesting for everybody. Right now that doesn't seem to be going on, and I think the program is TOO laid back as a result.
I have a notebook where I've been writing down ideas, and I also have gotten some good suggestions from the members.
I definitely will be using my library again for resources, and I plan to lead some arts/crafts stuff and have in guest speakers and even musicians.
The population I am working with is adults who have severe brain injury so memory and daily living skills are the big things we work on.
Do you teach or lead groups? What are some ideas that you and your clients enjoy, if you don't mind sharing?
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Started!
Well I have begun my new job.
I have only attended 2 days of orientation, but so far, I am feeling pretty confident that I made the right decision by leaving my previous agency.
Everyone I have met who is employed by the new company seems very passionate not only about their duties, but overall, our employer. I keep saying over and over that it's so refreshing to see people who are just so plain nice, who also portray a second nature confidence about what they do and who they work for. I need to pinch myself, because I feel like I'm in that episode of Roseanne where David gets the job as Hans the Hare. (Note: one of the speakers even said it is not unusual for family and friends to start to think that we are being brainwashed because the environment is so much about creating positivity).
The past two days have been based heavily on establishing and maintaining a healthy job environment, working together, not throwing anyone under the bus and especially going above and beyond just basic tasks of our job description. There was a lot of talk too of employees who get the most recognition for this kind of thing, and they are often not who you would expect (think janitors, parking attendants and food delivery peeps). There are also a ton of incentives (financial and otherwise for just being nice and overall "hospitable").
While a lot of it can be just a good front right now, overall, I really do like what I see and feel it's believable, just by the vibe I got today walking around the main hospital campus when I wasn't in training mode. People I passed in the hallway and outside smiled and said hello. (Gasp! This rarely happens anywhere as a New Yorker). Several times employees stopped me to ask if I needed assistance. The man in the elevator had a conversation about the weather and what my plans were for this weekend. Fellow employees eagerly struck up conversation about who I was and what I would be doing.
And I totally get now, 100%, what has been missing in my previous work environment.
Tomorrow is my first full day on site where I will be working so I cannot wait to report back!
I have only attended 2 days of orientation, but so far, I am feeling pretty confident that I made the right decision by leaving my previous agency.
Everyone I have met who is employed by the new company seems very passionate not only about their duties, but overall, our employer. I keep saying over and over that it's so refreshing to see people who are just so plain nice, who also portray a second nature confidence about what they do and who they work for. I need to pinch myself, because I feel like I'm in that episode of Roseanne where David gets the job as Hans the Hare. (Note: one of the speakers even said it is not unusual for family and friends to start to think that we are being brainwashed because the environment is so much about creating positivity).
The past two days have been based heavily on establishing and maintaining a healthy job environment, working together, not throwing anyone under the bus and especially going above and beyond just basic tasks of our job description. There was a lot of talk too of employees who get the most recognition for this kind of thing, and they are often not who you would expect (think janitors, parking attendants and food delivery peeps). There are also a ton of incentives (financial and otherwise for just being nice and overall "hospitable").
While a lot of it can be just a good front right now, overall, I really do like what I see and feel it's believable, just by the vibe I got today walking around the main hospital campus when I wasn't in training mode. People I passed in the hallway and outside smiled and said hello. (Gasp! This rarely happens anywhere as a New Yorker). Several times employees stopped me to ask if I needed assistance. The man in the elevator had a conversation about the weather and what my plans were for this weekend. Fellow employees eagerly struck up conversation about who I was and what I would be doing.
And I totally get now, 100%, what has been missing in my previous work environment.
Tomorrow is my first full day on site where I will be working so I cannot wait to report back!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
Friday! Friday!
It's down to the wire over here as I work with HR at my new company to track down last minute things that I *know* have been sent, so I can ensure that I can attend orientation this coming Monday.
I have quickly realized that this will be one of the frustrations of working for a large employer, with endless departments and people I have to go through to get one little thing completed.
Do you work for a large system where you are faced with this issue? What are some of your suggestions? (Besides save everything, email, fax and call numerous times to ensure it's been received).
Happy weekending everyone!!! Hopefully I will be at orientation bright and early Monday morning (starts at 7:30!!) and have good things to blog about.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
ha ha.......& last week countdown
For some reason this pic reminds me of my current job.
This week, I am on the final countdown of full-time.
I start orientation at my new company on Monday.
I will still be around my current, but I will only be working limited P/T which is a much better deal for me.
MUCH better.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Work is weird lately
So mostly everyone is aware that I am leaving, although my supervisor did forbid me to really tell anyone until *he* is ready to share the news.
I get it. If employees hear of a long-term co-worker moving on (I've been at my current place for 5 years), it often breeds panic amongst the team. People get scared about everything from potential new duties they will need to take on, to lack of their own job security.
And if referral agencies know, it too can instill a sense of fear and wonder about continuing work with the company said employee is exiting from.
I have however realized that life is going to go on, with or without me. (Note: supervisor said that he would be happy to have me stay, on a fee basis to write treatment plans for him, which works well for my wallet).
I think most of my co-workers who know have already forgotten about my leaving and are on to their routine daily tasks and activities. Someone else is already taking over most of my F/T duties.
The strange thing though is that all of the higher ups are not really even addressing the fact that I am moving on. In fact, no one has even acknowledged it. While my direct boss has, he still is not really addressing it.
I don't know how to read that.
I understand it on a variety of levels, but it's still hard to go from being the go-to person most of the time, to complete silence.
I guess this is the joy of working at a for-profit. Anyone really is replaceable.
And definitely do not show any kind of emotion about it.
I get it. If employees hear of a long-term co-worker moving on (I've been at my current place for 5 years), it often breeds panic amongst the team. People get scared about everything from potential new duties they will need to take on, to lack of their own job security.
And if referral agencies know, it too can instill a sense of fear and wonder about continuing work with the company said employee is exiting from.
I have however realized that life is going to go on, with or without me. (Note: supervisor said that he would be happy to have me stay, on a fee basis to write treatment plans for him, which works well for my wallet).
I think most of my co-workers who know have already forgotten about my leaving and are on to their routine daily tasks and activities. Someone else is already taking over most of my F/T duties.
The strange thing though is that all of the higher ups are not really even addressing the fact that I am moving on. In fact, no one has even acknowledged it. While my direct boss has, he still is not really addressing it.
I don't know how to read that.
I understand it on a variety of levels, but it's still hard to go from being the go-to person most of the time, to complete silence.
I guess this is the joy of working at a for-profit. Anyone really is replaceable.
And definitely do not show any kind of emotion about it.
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