What kind of job do you do?

Hi Austen, how are you? I don't think we have met.

I wish I could work. I have been on disability for two years. I am a paediatric nurse and I miss my job terribly. I don't know if I will ever be able to return. My pain is too severe to do any job at this time. I pray that things can change.

The last two years I have not been able to do much of anything. I do love beading and scrapbooking and hope one day I can get back at it. My hubby painted a room pink, just for me, just for my craft room and it still sits there, full of boxes waiting to be organized. One day I hope, one day.

I hope you can get some ideas from others here on this board. I wish you lots of luck in finding something that will complete you.

Its hard to explain what I do but let me try.

Everyone here should know what a call center is...if not, it is the place where all the people that answer calls for everything from banking issues, cell phone issues and more. Well what I do is forecast how many calls are going to be coming in each half hour and then create and plan schedules and hiring to make sure there are people there to take the calls. I also work to create programs and plans to enhance scheduling practices as well as creating and running reports.

I am lucky and can do this from home but I know if I had to go into an office I would no longer be able to work :-(

My friend's wife had to leave her teaching position due to chronic pain. She was able to find a position as an online teacher for a K-8 online charter school. I'm not sure how her job works but she can do it from home and is actually making more money (no gas, no professional clothing) than she was when she was in a classroom.

I'm a former teacher too. Just got to be too much being on my feet all day. And I worked in a school where gym & art & library were all up 2 flights of stairs -- ouch! I was sure I'd never find a decent job, but I did.

I work in IT & have a highly flexible schedule (flex hours, can work from home pretty much whenever I need to, can leave to go to pain doc's as long as I take a laptop with me, etc.). There are companies out there who subscribe to a "results-only work environment". This means that they don't care when you work, how much you work, etc. as long as your work all gets done on time. If you work even harder than your assignments require, you can be promoted but you won't be fired for working only just enough.

They tend to be a bit tricky. For me, my pain comes & goes (well, never really goes, but it spikes high & then gets a little lower) so that means I can do a lot of work on some days & less on others. Results Only works great for me. I have turn-around times of a few weeks so if I can't function on one day I can make it up a few days later.

One thing you might try is temping. That way you can try out different jobs to see what will work for you. Just let the temp agency know you are a former teacher & what kinds of things you can do. A lot of places LOVE former teachers -- esp. jobs in PR, communications, management, and creative services. You could also try corporate training, but I know I hated that. Nothing like staring at a bunch of tired eyes & blank faces to make you hate teaching. ;)

Hope that helps.

good luck!
frances

Post Edited (Frances_2008) : 8/11/2010 6:11:14 PM (GMT-6)

I worked 23 years as a Floral Designer (flowery) get it:). Many people don't realize the work and flexibility that goes into it. Every weekend and nights and every freakin Holiday Hallmark cared to create!  Working 12-15 hour days and on your feet the whole time. Delivered off and on and that just became to much with lifting.  My specialty was Designing for Weddings, Special Occ. and Funerals. Took 3rd place 2 years ago in a big competetion in Minneapolis. LOVE competing! keeps ya fresh!

 I've always been sorta artsy and enjoyed gardening. So years ago,  I worked at a flower farm and from there it started. I'm not able to work anymore though.  Worked through lots of different surgery's. I worked after my back surgery in a chair with my leg lifted on another chair...just keep the hands movin'.... until I just couldn't do it anymore!!!  Right before I left my thumb joints were locked because of a flare and it was sooo painful. Not to mention standing on cement floors etc.

I do some silk Wedding out of my house for friends and friends of friends sort of things.

Miss it all terribly. I miss co-workers and the day to day stuff that goes on with the fellowship of a job. Mostly, contributing $ for a family.

Heather 

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I'm just trying to re-invent myself (within my health limitations) after being a SAHM for several years.

Hugs - Austen