Hardest Week Ever
I’ve been a nurse for over 30 years, always in direct patient care. In 2024, I decided to try something different and moved to a research position within the same clinic. My RA was diagnosed a month after changing positions, but it was a blessing in disguise as the role was more relaxed and also allowed for hybrid work. Unfortunately, the research ended prematurely. I wanted to minimize the stress of looking for a brand new job and didn’t want a gap in health coverage, so I stayed with the company. There were no available positions close to home so I accepted a position that is farther away than my previous clinic. The workflow is entirely different. I feel lost, like a brand new employee. After just one day, I knew this was the wrong decision. The commute is exhausting and an uber not an option as it is twice as expensive as my previous commute. So now it’s the weekend and I can’t relax because I’m trying to figure out my next steps: do I look for a remote job, apply for unemployment or look into applying for disability? A few well-intentioned people just say the same thing, “stay strong, it will work out”. But I’m too tired physically and mentally to stay strong. I never thought I would see the day when I couldn’t do my job.