First Day
Yesterday was the first day of school…I mean, of my new job.
I am now the Aeronautics Administrator of the State of Wyoming.
Never in my wildest dreams when I was doing digital rectal bowel program stimuli (exactly how it sounds) did I think I would deviate so far form my career path to become an Executive in Wyoming. I was trained to write nursing care plans and now I write strategic plans. I barely know how to spell aeronautics. Not joking.
Lexie made me a beautiful new black briefcase that I “moved into” the morning of. I met with HR and signed up for all sorts of crazy benefits like vision and disability. In healthcare, such benefits don’t exist. At least not in my career. In fact, I have never even had a salary or vacation time in my twenty year career as a Nurse Practitioner. In medicine, I have always been hourly or commission (eat what you kill mentality) and I have loved every second because I have always had as much time off as I wanted. I just didn’t get paid for it.
I know you would think that my suit and fancy title equals a higher paying job than being a clinician, but it doesn’t even come close. I would earn more as a Nurse Practitioner. And I would have more time off (unpaid :)). Other than the benefits, why do it?
I asked my self that same question for over a month. Between yoga classes and meal planning, I keep coming back to one answer: I have to.
I have to for all of the women in Wyoming. We need women in leadership to set examples and inspire others to achieve. We need women in leadership to show that there can be work life balance and ideal workers aren’t the only ones who succeed. We need women in leadership to show that it’s okay to pivot in life.
I have to for my kids. I have to show them that failure can lead to success and that losing sometimes is winning. And that no matter what, life goes on.
I have to for our State. We actually need air service to recruit and retain our workforce: something I believe passionately about. If WYDOT and Bill Panos felt I could help move this along, then I should use my talents to do so.
And I have to for me. Today is a new day. One in which an end is a new beginning.
I am now the Aeronautics Administrator of the State of Wyoming.
Never in my wildest dreams when I was doing digital rectal bowel program stimuli (exactly how it sounds) did I think I would deviate so far form my career path to become an Executive in Wyoming. I was trained to write nursing care plans and now I write strategic plans. I barely know how to spell aeronautics. Not joking.
Lexie made me a beautiful new black briefcase that I “moved into” the morning of. I met with HR and signed up for all sorts of crazy benefits like vision and disability. In healthcare, such benefits don’t exist. At least not in my career. In fact, I have never even had a salary or vacation time in my twenty year career as a Nurse Practitioner. In medicine, I have always been hourly or commission (eat what you kill mentality) and I have loved every second because I have always had as much time off as I wanted. I just didn’t get paid for it.
I know you would think that my suit and fancy title equals a higher paying job than being a clinician, but it doesn’t even come close. I would earn more as a Nurse Practitioner. And I would have more time off (unpaid :)). Other than the benefits, why do it?
I asked my self that same question for over a month. Between yoga classes and meal planning, I keep coming back to one answer: I have to.
I have to for all of the women in Wyoming. We need women in leadership to set examples and inspire others to achieve. We need women in leadership to show that there can be work life balance and ideal workers aren’t the only ones who succeed. We need women in leadership to show that it’s okay to pivot in life.
I have to for my kids. I have to show them that failure can lead to success and that losing sometimes is winning. And that no matter what, life goes on.
I have to for our State. We actually need air service to recruit and retain our workforce: something I believe passionately about. If WYDOT and Bill Panos felt I could help move this along, then I should use my talents to do so.
And I have to for me. Today is a new day. One in which an end is a new beginning.
