New Job!!

So, I have a new job.

A couple of weeks ago, I got a call from a dietitian at Wishard hospital. She had my resume and wanted to interview me for a position in one of the Wishard Outpatient clinics. I had just informed my boss - after hearing no response from any of the positions I had applied for - that I would be staying for another 2 years while I pursued my master's degree. So now what? I just told my boss I would be staying. Would I be lying if I went for the interview? No, I decided. So I went. I interviewed and it went very well. I was confident I would be offered the job. But then what?

The next week, I got a call for a second interview - for the same position. This time the interview would be with the director of the clinic. The dietitian at Wishard informed me that in addition to that, she had given my resume to another dietitian at Wishard - the bariatric dietitian. The bariatric dietitian was accepting a job elsewhere and her last day would be January 2, 2009. They wanted to fill the position before she left so she could train the new employee. I was blown away. I also received a phone call from the bariatric dietitian requesting an interview. This was Tuesday. I called her back and set up an interview for Thursday morning at 11.

Thursday morning at 11, I walked into the hospital and paged Elisha, the bariatric dietitian. She came right down and led me to a room. There I was introduced to 2 nurses, an administrative person and the surgeon. After a very interesting half an hour with the surgeon, he left and I got a "briefing" by the nurses. They asked me a few questions about my professional portfolio and then off we went to get a tour of the clinic. The clinic is currently under construction, as the program is growing and the staff (which will now include me) needs new offices. Elisha asked me if I had any questions or concerns.

Keep in mind, for those of you who may not know me, that I have been in a University setting for the last 3 1/2 years. I have worked with 0 medical charts or medical lab values since January 2005.

I answered her honestly, "well, to be quite frank, I am a little terrified. I haven't been in a hospital for anything other than personal reasons, and I haven't looked at a lab value or medical chart for going on 4 years." Her response: "It's ok. You'll learn it."

Well, ok. I walked out of the hospital at 12:45. 1 hour and 45 minutes later. I asked my husband if I look petrified. He agreed. I was a little overwhelmed. I had never been in an interview for that long, let alone an interview of that nature. I told my husband that I felt as if they had, in their minds, already hired me and they were only assessing to see if my personality matched with theirs.

We went to lunch and later that day, after a long talk with my dietetic internship director, a very valuable mentor, I decided that if I were offered both positions, I would rather have the bariatric postition. Yes, I was terrified of the postition and the responsibility that went along with it, but I have never been one to back down from a challenge.

Friday afternoon, around 3 O'clock, my phone rang. It was Jennifer, the dietitian at Wishard, who had originally interviewed me and had recommended me for the bariatric dietitian posititon. She was calling on behalf of Wishard to offer me both jobs. So it was up to me to choose. I told her I preferred the bariatric position and thanked her for recommending me for the position. She told me that Human Resources would be in touch.

Around 4 O'clock, my phone rang once again. This time it was the human resources director. He was calling to "officially offer, on behalf of dietary, the position of Bariatric Dietitian". After some information on salary - whoa! - and benefits, I asked for the weekend to think about it.

This morning around 9 am, I officially accepted the job of Bariatric Dietitian. I go Wednesday for a physical and to fill out the necessary paperwork; Friday to receive my badge. I begin my new position Monday, December 29.

I gave my 2 week notice to my boss today at noon. She was very congratulatory and supportive.

While I am still in a bit of a state of shock, I'm very excited. Scared, too. This is a big opportunity.

When I had given up all hope of getting a new position, I took it in my hands and made a decision. I relied on my own understanding of the situation. But God stepped in and showed me who was in control. Not me, that's for sure.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV