Good bye SNF, hello CCRC!

24 months ago I stepped into the world of Skilled Nursing unintentionally.

While serving through college during August of 2014, I had a table of 2. A woman and a young man. The woman I would later find out was a Business Office Manager for a nearby Skilled Nursing Facility. 

All I knew when I served her was that my recommendation was thoroughly enjoyed by her and her friend. Towards the end of their lunch date the woman offered me a job. I thought it was a joke because in my head I was thinking, helllllo, I kind of already have a job....! 

She explained her position and said she had never encountered a more upbeat and friendly server. I listened and it seemed she needed a receptionist. I couldn't commit M-F because I needed flexibility for my classes, but I said I could do weekends and/or PRN which is basically "on call" from time to time. She gave me her business card and I put it away unsure if she was serious.

I thought to myself that PRN can't hurt, a little extra money is always a good thing so why the hell not. I called her, set up an interview, and went in to fill out paperwork and talk business.

On August 28, 2014 she offered me a position as PRN receptionist and I was set to train for a few days to get the hang of things.

While training I kept wondering what Skilled Nursing was because I thought Life Care was a nursing home. 

Within the first 12 months I worked a total of 15 shifts at about 4-8 hours a piece. I familiarized myself  with patients although each time I returned to work many had the ability to discharge home because their short term therapy was finished. I noticed a handful of residents always remained though in our very small long term unit. 

On one specific shift I learned a young lady in the Business Office had found better opportunity and was leaving. I thought of people I knew who had good work ethics to help them fill this position, as a few short weeks later I myself would be graduating with my Communications degree and obviously landing a job right away (lol) 

A good friend of mine was interviewed and offered the position but already was employed and the pay wasn't at all competitive so she decided to stay at the hospital where benefits were already in tact and whatnot. During that moment I was offered to come in the office and 'help out' while they filled the position.

I graduated and was busy applying to jobs within the field. I really was free during the day so I decided to help out which turned into two weeks of full time hours. By day 8 my manager asked if I enjoyed what I was learning because apparently the few other PRN women who tried to help out prior to me struggled a lot whereas I picked up rather fast. I truly didn't mind what I was doing/learning so I answered honestly that yes I'm liking it.

Soooooo then it turned into a full time position with a large pay increase from receptionist pay and benefits etc the whole sha-bang. In my head I didn't want to stop applying for marketing/sales jobs however I was four months away from becoming a wife and I desperately needed financial stability to help pay for wedding which only Donald and I were paying for. 

Serving was actually great money but when you have lower back problems like I do, it's not worth it no matter how many hundreds I made in a few hours.

I accepted the full time position and committed to learning every single thing about this position while I was there. 

I got to learn a shit ton about Medicare, Medicaid, Commercial billing, Primary insurance and private paying. I never knew what the hell Skilled Nursing was and now, 15 months later I could sell this service to anyone. I believe in it, and I believe in Life Care. 

During these 15 months I tried to grow within the company. Director of Social Services opened up in February and I applied and interviewed for this (after realizing my B.S. in Communications qualified me) and I was passed over for someone with much more experience. At first I was sad, but after realizing what that job fully entails it's probably best it went to someone with more knowledge. 

Then during June a marketing Liaison position opened up and I applied for that. We had just closed on our house so it was actually perfect. Again, as usual, experience out weighs degrees and someone else more experienced was given the opportunity.

Finally, during July a position in the Business Office at our other location (closer to my new house) opened up for assistant office manager. I thought, surely I have this one in the bag because guess who has experience?! ME! So, as fate would have it (and 4 boss ass interviews later), I got the promotion and was eager to transfer to Well Road where the manager there was actually the person who trained me in Jackosnville. She was our assistant office manager (no, not the person who found me at restaurant) and she was actually promoted to office manager for Wells road during May 2016. It was kind of a perfect situation.

So I accepted the job and was looking forward to learning even more and being closer to home and making more money. 

Sooooo just my luck. I ended up getting another offer from a different company during my 2 week resignation for a position in marketing and sales and strategic communications. 

When I was passed on for the marketing liaison with Life Care in June, I went ahead and applied to about 50 other marketing jobs during that time. I got email after email about the position being filled or although my resume was soooo impressive they have selected another candidate. I wanted to break my computer. Needless to say when I got the call after I already accepted my promotion, it was plenty unexpected as 4 entire weeks went by and I forgot about those applications. My plan was to go on with Life Care and learn more to climb that business office ladder. 

I guess other things were destined for me.

I discussed all this with my friend/new manager -to-be as she is actually my friend first and she was yelling for me to take the better offer which was marketing. Not only did it pay better, but it was where I needed to be and she knew that.

I cannot describe how happy and sad I was.

Here I was about to go work for a friend and have the most bomb ass job set up with someone I know who was wanting me to grow so tall and here comes the offer I couldn't pass on. Thing happen so silly.

Anyways, so today Wednesday, was my final day at Life Care. The building I walked into as an unmarried, not yet graduated, renter girl leaving as a graduated wife and home owner. I cried my eyes out the entire drive home because I am going to miss that building so much.

There was ever only ONE bad part about my job which is part of the reason I applied for the Director of Social Service position. During that time my intention was not only to be a great ass director and make more money and learn, I actually was desperate to leave my manager. 

Although she hand picked me unintentionally and was extremely friendly towards me, it was a bit of another person when I worked directly under her. The intention here isn't to make anyone look bad, but during my 15 months as the office assistant / accounts receivable I was heavily verbally and mentally abused.

It was actually scary how the same person who liked me so much was the person I grew to resent for some time. There were 5 different times I felt the need to approach our executive director (who is wonderful) to explain what was going on in that office. Each visit I noticed her behavior would get better for about two weeks then result back to the same aggressive old self. 

I learned that when I mirrored her tone and behavior, she got intimidated so I learned early to defend myself and 'pop off' on this woman. I never once was in trouble for talking back which I kind of found to be funny. But hey, whatever works right? 

I later learned other people left this position BECAUSE of her abuse. I didn't understand. I was there helping and running thing smoothly, wouldn't she want to not lose that (again)? Ultimately I was there to pay for a wedding and then finalize my house. I did both those thing and got the fuck out of there one way or another. 

Don't misunderstand me either, I don't hate anyone, I do however hate bullies and I won't allow it. Other people who were familiar with old employees and me explained that no one had the courage to go to the executive director ever to complain on her which I believe is part of the reason she kept repeating past behavior. I don't do well with someone patronizing me or purposefully making me feel like shit for no reason so I set her straight every chance I needed to. I kept my cool just enough to get to where I needed and whether I left the company or not I was going to get away from her. 

I will miss the residents, their families, my co workers, and honestly the comfort of knowing what I was doing and feeling as the expert on the subject. Monday I start again as a new-bee and I hate that. I'm excited though and I will do great things. 

I know when I'm in charge one day I will never ever make my employee(s) feel the way that woman constantly was making me feel. I just won't. So I thank her for showing me all the things not to do. 

I'm ready for the next chapter. Clockin' out from this but clockin' in to where my heart is. Marketinggggggggg.

-s