davidsprincess's Journal, 16 July 2021

You're killing this! Good job! 

No kidding, Petra! Getting completely screwed and having to work some this weekend. By Monday the 26th I should have a tiny bit less stress and then 3-6 months I can be transitioned out of what I'm doing. I told them by October 1st but they have a different timeline in mind. We'll see how it goes. Just gonna keep pushing on for now. 👍🏼 

Good job!  

good luck after working with corporate for over 35 years I know the struggles and the games be strong and remember the first one that yells is the one that loses 

A big push! Hang in there Princess! It will go by fast. 

OH lord, Tim- You sure you wanna know? Last night my position consisted of being attacked by a blind, poopy mess of a man who I was trying desperately to shower as he scratched and attempted to bite. Could not wait to get home and shower myself. I put a pee pad down on my driver's seat because I felt absolutely grotesque. After round 1- he did the same thing- huge puddle of diarrhea. I don't have a weak stomach but when someone is combative and you have to dodge fists, teeth and poop- it keeps my reflexes sharp. I started as direct care and worked my way up. My specialty is in supervising. I supervised direct care staff and did some nursing then moved on to supervising the supervisors of 11 homes- which I love... but then when a supervisor quits- I have to jump in and fill that spot and it is very difficult to supervise someone else's employees and make their schedules and learn the needs of the home intimately... Anyhow- So I have done that for years and now a supervisor position has opened up about 4 blocks away that I am jumping on because I would rather supervise my own home then jump into someone else's. That's the shortest that I can make that story. But the gist is that- just like last night- if they aren't staffed, someone has to do it. I would rather fill direct care shifts in my own home. Plus once I am pulled out of my supervising of supervisors to be a supervisor- then my other homes get no attention because I am spread too thin. It is a field that- like every where right now- is facing a severe shortage of employees and it sucks. I don't know if this has even made any sense. The hugest problem with the whole scenario that makes it difficult is that the homes I am over are spread out so where I worked last night (and have to work again tomorrow) is a little over an hour away. So I had to drive for an hour feeling poopy. It is hard to manage a home from that distance- can't just pop in and see how things are going and who needs what- etc... But it is my life's work and I love it. Didn't get to the gym yesterday but had a lot of physical movement- no time to sit. Feel like I just rambled a ton of crap. Should've sent you a message.  

I second Mermee - major respect for what you do DP! I get everything you're saying and it make so much sense to be in charge of one place only - and closer to home too - sounds ideal! I hope your transition goes well and that you're happier in your new position. 

I love my work. It gets to a point where as you climb the corporate ladder (so to speak) the higher rates of pay are due to stress- if that makes sense. Our direct care staff are the most important people in the homes- the ones who deal with the poopfests and behavioral issues- but I make twice as much to have my phone on and ready to fix shit and yeah- no thanks. 21 years later- I need less all the way around. My company though- is awesome. I love them and I am as loyal as my mental health will allow and I think they get it. Plus they know that I'm an asset wherever in the company I am working so I'm looked upon favorably- it is just a crap time across the board. My boss is going in to work the overnight shift for me. At this point- we are all in it together and trying to get through it. Covid did a number on us. But anyhow- Thank you!  

I can relate to everything your saying about responsibility/money and how you end up craving more time/less stress over a bigger paycheck! I'm so thankful for people like you Princess, who give of yourselves to help others! I know it's so much more than a paycheck to you. Not everyone can do what you do. I know I couldn't! Thank you for caring and the sacrifices you've made! Hang in there girl!!!  

Thanks, Bearnoggin! To clarify when I said "no thanks" I meant that I was saying no thank you - I don't want to do this. I don't mean to say that I get no thanks from my company. (How many times can I use the word thanks?)