This is the situation: I "graduated" from my medical assistant program today

[crim son]

and did rather well overall. Then my instructor informed me that due to my (sparse, embarrassingly sparse) work history, getting a job would take time and that perhaps I should, "consider housekeeping" to get my foot in a hospital door.

Consider housekeeping? All right, I was considering it. Then I received an email from the STBE, telling me that sixty degrees is too high a heat to keep the house, and that I need to start hanging the laundry to save money. He accused me of leaving the doors and windows open. Uh, RIGHT! Anyhow, I normally don't take his nonsense to heart but dammit, he stole the wind out of my sails, or what wind was left after the instructor mentioned SANITATION.

Laughing. I have three kids and my whole life is sanitation. That ain't it. I just... I just wish my personal celebration hadn't been ruined.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

1. Congratulations...

...A toast -- to your future in the medical profession...



...may it be long and rewarding.

[crim son]

5. I'm just hoping it will begin.

Thanks! :toast:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

2. Want me to punch him?

;)

[crim son]

6. No, but I'd like it if you'd forgive me for being an angry bitch.

Maybe?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

11. I don't think so.

I like this version of you. :P

[crim son]

14. Right now I'm being a total sweetheart,

with the expected teaspoonful of self-pity.

Thanks, my friend. It's been bothering me for a while, but my pride is a bitch.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

17. Of course.

:hug:

[crim son]

20. ...

:hug:

Thank you.

[SPKrazy]

3. Well congrats anyway

what do either of them know...

:hug: :hug:

I bet you'll find something faster than they know.

:hi:

[crim son]

7. I ought to be thinking that way!

Problem is, the luck hasn't been so great lately. :P

NO, I will think that way. And thanks!

[SarahB]

4. I'm not sure about your area BUT....

4 years ago I was doing my biology pre-reqs for nursing school. 3 years ago I was in the midst of a divorce and hadn't yet started my actual nursing classes. I had a degree in Early childhood ed (which paid, um, next to nothing). I started working nights as a nursing assistant in a pediatric hospital with my background and also very sparse work history (I spent from 20-32 having babies and either at home or working very part-time).

Now, I'm a gainfully employed registered nurse. Take a look at your background and see if you can apply it to your current skills in some way. Hospitals need people. Medical assistants and nursing assistants work their asses off and won't get rich, but you can make a living and pay the bills. It's not all that hard to get into with certification and training. Good luck.. :hug:

[crim son]

8. Thank you, SarahBelle.

That's exactly what I'm doing... using my skills and personal interests to determine my goals. Because of the divorce I rather wanted to rush into things, but it isn't to be. You are a great example to me, in this area and others.

[Adsos Letter]

9. What a drag...

your celebration is well deserved, and you should enjoy the accomplishment. :thumbsup:

My wife is a Director of Nursing at a large name-to-remain-unspoken HMO here in Northern California, and they usually have openings for MAs...I would look around before I accepted housekeeping...anything to do with nursing or MA type work is in demand, and you want to get in while your skills are still sharp.

I don't know where you are but I'll be willing to bet you can find a job in your field.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! :D

[crim son]

15. Oh, thank you!

My "skills" are negligible but I'm somewhat intelligent and very determined. If I can get an interview I'll get a job. I'm thinking about volunteering before doing housekeeping... it would serve me better.

[Wapsie B]

10. Congratulations!!

Way to go! :toast:


But I don't know who's a bigger ass, your instructor or STBE. Housekeeping? I could understand if someone had little job history and wanted to get into administration. But Medical Assisting? I thought there were plenty of jobs for that.

[crim son]

16. Normally there are.

I didn't even laugh when she pulled up the page of job listings. There's NOTHING! It's all about timing, and my luck. Heh. 'Nuff said.

[The Traveler]

12. Don't listen to that crap

That's just the disclaimer. Yer smart, you got your training, you are apparently pretty good with people, and yer damn cute. I predict it won't take you long to find a job. To hell with the nay sayers. Drive on. Bon chance.

[SPKrazy]

13. in pops the traveler!

:hi:

:pals:

how's it going,

sorry to hijack crimmie but sometimes ya just gotta do it :P

[crim son]

19. Nah, it's okay.

I miss him too. He doesn't post enough and he doesn't blog enough.

He must be... happy...? :D

[The Traveler]

22. SPK!

Man, am I glad to see you! How ya been doin', buddy?

[crim son]

18. You are always kind to me.

I hope you're right! Really, I do. :hug:

[The Traveler]

23. You are the kind of person

it is easy to be kind to. :)

[FloridaJudy]

21. Congratulations!

That nonsense about scarce jobs is hogwash. Hospitals, nursing homes and medical offices are crying for intelligent help. You may have to begin in LTC (long term care), but you shouldn't have to work in housekeeping - not that there's anything demeaning about housekeeping, but it would be a waste of your education.

Don't let jerks rain on your parade.

[LeftCoast]

24. Congrats on your graduation!

:toast:

Does your state license medical assistants? If so, that will help. What sort of things did they train you to do?

I also wanted to suggest trying to get in with a temp agency. Do a bang-up job wherever you're sent and I bet you'd get in full time somewhere.

[Aristus]

25. Congrats, crim son. I love being a Medical Assistant. I think you will, too.

Just to be realistic, it took me about three months after graduation to land a permanent full-time position. But if you have a Medical Temp agency in your area, apply with them. Temping can be a lot of fun, and you get to work at a different clinic all the time. If you don't like a particular place, talk to your agent, and tell them you don't want to work there anymore. As long as you make a good impression on your daily bosses and don't turn down an acceptable work offer, you'll never lack for work. Temp agencies keep their best workers at the top of the jobs list.

Plus, a temp position can work out to a full-time one if the clinic in question likes your work. It's a fast track to full-time employment. So try that.

Also, if there are few or no private temp agencies in your area, see if your county has a Medical Society. They almost always have temp offices of their own. And public agencies work MUCH harder to get work for you than private agencies do. I applied with the Pierce County Medical Society right after I graduated. I also applied with two private agencies. I think I received one phone call from one of the private agencies. The PCMS, on the other hand, never let me go without work. They were terrific.

[Pierre.Suave]

26. Congratulations Crim Son

I know this will work well for you.

You got this far, dont stop now.

here is a hug for you too :hug:

[mainegreen]

27. Move to Portland. They advertise for help on buses.

Both Hospitals are damned near doubling in size. More old folks than you can poke a stick at.

And congrats!
Time for cake!

[Gormy Cuss]

32. It's too bad that Ptld is too far for her because it is the best job market in the state for her.

The Bangor area has few opportunities but Aristus gave her some good consul. There probably are clinics and such in the greater Bangor area where she could start working at least as a temp.


p.s. Stop poking the old people -that won't stop them from holding their metal band practices next door.

[redqueen]

28. That's surprising...

around here nursing assistants are very in demand, they'll even hire people who aren't certified.

Good luck... I hope you find something soon. Are you networking with other people who graduated with you? Maybe share tips on who's hiring?

[ThomCat]

29. I hope you get a break sometime soon.

You have a right to a house that isn't freezing cold. You shouldn't have to hang wet laundry in the cold. (He should try handling wet laundry in below-sixty degree temperatures and see how pleasant it is.)

I hope you can find a job as a medical assistant somewhere nice.

:hug:

[Shine]

30. Don't let what those jerk wads said ruin anything!!!

:hug: Screw that. Screw Sanitation. You've got lots of opportunity. It's all in how you look at it.

YOU choose how you feel and create your own reality. :thumbsup:

[Orsino]

31. Your STBE, whatever that is, should be told to STFU.

Congratulations on grajjeyating!

[Rosie1223]

33. Woo Hoo! Graduation Party at Crim son's house!!

Be sure to wear a sweater. :)

Seriously, tho -- congratulations from another mom of 3.

[BuelahWitch]

34. So if you had been a checker at Piggly Wiggly for 10 years

It would look better? I'm sorry, I think your instructor is full of it. What kind of school was it? Did you get hands on experience (ie. work with "patients")? If you have experience doing the work, did well on your program, you shouldn't have to get a job in "housekeeping" in order to get your foot in the door of a hospital.
If, on the other hand, he/she is using your lack of work experience to cover up the fact that they have a shoddy medical assitant program that only takes money from its students but can't place them after they've graduated, that's a whole other matter. That's total BS and they should be sued.

[BarenakedLady]

35. Congratulations on graduating.

:bounce: :bounce:

Sorry about the rest.

:hug: