My dream
1
The Birthday Present...
I have always held a full time job, since I was 18. I worked in a group home as a direct care worker until I got my CNA certification, then I worked in various nursing homes. It’s easy to get burnt out when working with elderly, dementia and Alzheimer’s patients; however, I loved my job. Taking care of others is what I wanted to do. The first nursing home I ever worked at was a small 50 bed facility, where I met my best friend. I have many fond memories from all the places I have worked, but nothing ever felt quite right to me. In July of 2011 I got the opportunity of my life! I was job searching, due to recently being laid off from the nursing home I was employed at. I was putting in applications on the internet daily; I swear I must have sent out a million. I came across a job posting for a nursing assistant at The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, on the Psychiatry Unit in Ann Arbor. I read the description and I knew that was the job for me!
The VAMC is a hospital dedicated to serving the veterans of the United States wars. It is like a regular hospital except it only treats veterans. I am an active supporter of our military men and women. I knew this job was special and would make me feel like I was giving back to all those who fought for our freedoms. I sent in my resume and the requirement’s right away. I checked the status of the job daily. I kept hoping for a phone call! The week seemed to drag on and on. I started to give up hope, and then I received the phone call that would change my life.
It was July 19th, my 28th birthday. I hadn’t worked for two months so money was tight. I was at my parents’ house relaxing in the pool, trying not to be depressed. I had gotten out of the pool to order a pizza for my family when my phone rang. It was one of those calls that you look at the number and
2
think, “Should I answer this?” “It looks like a bill collector’s number.” I let it ring one more time and figured I better get it
The Birthday Present...
I have always held a full time job, since I was 18. I worked in a group home as a direct care worker until I got my CNA certification, then I worked in various nursing homes. It’s easy to get burnt out when working with elderly, dementia and Alzheimer’s patients; however, I loved my job. Taking care of others is what I wanted to do. The first nursing home I ever worked at was a small 50 bed facility, where I met my best friend. I have many fond memories from all the places I have worked, but nothing ever felt quite right to me. In July of 2011 I got the opportunity of my life! I was job searching, due to recently being laid off from the nursing home I was employed at. I was putting in applications on the internet daily; I swear I must have sent out a million. I came across a job posting for a nursing assistant at The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, on the Psychiatry Unit in Ann Arbor. I read the description and I knew that was the job for me!
The VAMC is a hospital dedicated to serving the veterans of the United States wars. It is like a regular hospital except it only treats veterans. I am an active supporter of our military men and women. I knew this job was special and would make me feel like I was giving back to all those who fought for our freedoms. I sent in my resume and the requirement’s right away. I checked the status of the job daily. I kept hoping for a phone call! The week seemed to drag on and on. I started to give up hope, and then I received the phone call that would change my life.
It was July 19th, my 28th birthday. I hadn’t worked for two months so money was tight. I was at my parents’ house relaxing in the pool, trying not to be depressed. I had gotten out of the pool to order a pizza for my family when my phone rang. It was one of those calls that you look at the number and
2
think, “Should I answer this?” “It looks like a bill collector’s number.” I let it ring one more time and figured I better get it