Thankful Thursday | I’m caught up

This week, I am thankful:

that I am out of the “hole” with working hours

You know how HR switched me to a different position category without telling me? And how I was behind on the required hours? Well, I worked 7 out of 11 days and got all caught up.

WHEW. 

Now that I’m out of the hole, the hours aren’t going to be nearly so overwhelming. 

(I could have argued back with HR about this error, but I didn’t, because….all of these hours qualify me for hospital health insurance!)

that it’s gonna be easy to be in-network with my new insurance

My hospital insurance is, obviously, accepted at all facilities associated with the hospital. Which means that I was able to schedule my follow-up MRI without an issue, and also my physical therapy.

Staying within this huge hospital system should be super easy, and I am GRATEFUL.

It was hard to schedule things with my other self-pay insurance because so many facilities did not accept it. So I could almost cry with joy over it being supremely easy to get care now. 

It sort of feels like one of the last steps of getting my life in order post-divorce, and maybe that’s why it’s making me tear up.

I think it’s just relief, like…ohh, ok, I made it through this. I knew there was gonna be an iffy period of health insurance in between my divorce and my nursing school graduation/new job, and I am thankful, thankful, thankful that’s behind me now. 

I did it! My hard work paid off and now here I am, health insurance in hand! 

that my new insurance has a $0 deductible 

My last insurance had a very high deductible (something like $7000 for one person), which meant it would basically only cover a catastrophic illness. 

But now my new no-deductible insurance will cover things like MRIs and physical therapy, so I am delighted!

The monthly premium for this plan is less and it covers more, so that’s a big financial win. 

Honestly, this feels almost as exciting to me as my new hourly pay rate.

that my nurse job starts in less than two weeks! 

Speaking of the new hourly pay rate…. 😉 

But I am also excited to get started with my training, especially with the hours on the floor learning how to be a nurse.

I have done lots of clinical hours, sure, but that is not the same as actually being a nurse, and I’m looking forward to getting real experience under my belt.

for a break in the heat 

A sample of what it’s been like this week:

BUT. Tomorrow promises a high of less than 80 degrees (!!!), and Saturday’s forecast says, “less humid”. Yay! 

I know better than to have high hopes for August weather overall, but I am grateful for a few good days.

On a related note for my fellow summer-haters: There’s only a month left until September! And September usually brings at least a little relief from the intense heat and humidity. 

that I had a quiet work shift on Sunday

I had only four patients (usually I have 7!) so I had lots of extra time and I used it to organize the supply room/supply drawers and put away the random supplies that end up being left all over the unit.

And I also took some trips down to Distribution to pick up supplies we needed.

 

I even cleaned out the sticky residue in the drawer left from spilled ginger ale. 🙂 

I always wish I could do stuff like this, but I’m usually too busy. So my order-loving heart was very happy with my Sunday shift. 

that this week’s MRI will be less expensive

I initially got an MRI of my arm with my old insurance, and the bill for that one was $550. Sigh.

But I went in this week for a follow-up MRI, and this one will be way, way less expensive because of my new insurance. Yay! 

 

for a left-handed-friendly form

This is a small delight, to be sure, but all my fellow lefties will understand: the MRI form had checkboxes on the left and descriptions on the right.

This meant my hand wasn’t in the way of reading all the options and it was so easy this way. 

In a world built for right-handed people, we lefties take our wins when we can. 😉 

for an AC vent by the stair climber

As you all know, I hate being hot. It is honestly the worst part of exercising for me.

So it was a big win when I realized that if you get on the correct stair-climber at the gym, you are right by a ceiling AC vent. Ooh! So lovely. 

for Chiquita’s plush face

Let’s have a moment of appreciation for the pleasant fur levels on her cheeks:

What are you thankful for this week?