Rough start

We left Philadelphia and things were looking good for the first 30 seconds.... 

We hit rush-hour traffic and were in a losing battle of time and weather.  I drove the blasted uhaul (26 foot beast) straight down as much as I could.  By 8:30pm it was snowing.  I was supposed to be in by 8:55 and I had so far to go.  Francisco became overwhelmed by the night and snow forcing he and Elizabeth to stop about 80 miles from Hampton Roads.  I forged on with the thought that i would not miss closing on the house or work.   

  I woke this morning to the information that the tunnel was closed and snow would last well into the day.  I made e-mails and texts in order to get the closing on the house accomplished.  Finally, i had an Uber to the notary’s home.  I officially closed and Uber said no cars were available.... i walked through the snow in order to get back to the hotel.  We are now the proud owners of a home loan.  

I found out i was cancelled for work on Friday.  Very happy for the 8 hour guaranteed day!   

This potentially gives me time to get things moved into the house!  Many things to be done!   

All those on the New England coast... be careful in snowmageddon.  

Calendar

i don’t know about you but it’s pretty crazy around our household.  My calendar for January is looking busy. Next week will be a crazy time and my husband might disown me.  

Wednesday, like all days I’ll be up and going to work at 6 AM.  The difference is that the movers will be walking in the door at 6AM.  They are packing everything then loading the Uhaul.  Then, I’ll get home from work and we drop off the keys, fobs, and say see ya later to Philadelphia.  We are to make it 2.5 hours south into Maryland.   

Sounds totally easy right?  We only have to put the dogs up front in the Uhaul.  Get the kid in the back seat of the Jeep and have everything packed/loaded in 10 hours.  The next morning we have to leave by 7AM.  If not we miss the walk-through on the home that has caused some stress over the past weeks.  

We’ll drive another 2.5 hours and arrive immediately at the house.  Park in the driveway walk through the home and make sure all is in good order.  We’ll rush to the hotel and drop off the dogs, check in for my parents and us for the two whole nights.  Then it’s again off to closing in Virginia Beach.  When that part is done we’ll again be home-owners.   

It doesn’t sound like too much.  But, I start work the following day so again it’s up to Francisco to get things unloaded from the Uhaul and unpacked.  my parents are coming to help install, set-up, baby-proof, and shop.  I don’t know if they are ready for what they are in for!

The one-day move and in-between contracts.  It’s going to be a bit stressful but i know we can do it!   

The rest of the month is just surrogacy, 3 work places and contracts, two birthday parties, and having a fence built.  

Planning just like all things is key but being able to maintain the plan as a fluid work is key.  Happy almost New Years! 

House

Have i told you lately how challenging I never thought buying a home would be?  It wasn’t the loan process.  It wasn’t finding the house. It wasn’t that i wanted something high in the price range or terribly crazy. It was the IRS. 

2015 they say they never got my taxes despite them saying they should have.they were electronically submitted twice, mailed and 3 weeks ago faxed. They have given time ranges of 3weeks to 6 months.   i still don’t have the transcript of them being entered. I gave up.  

My mortgage broker is at the top of his company and my brother.  He has been there 9 years and a lender for years before starting.  I knew he was good but he was able to get some exceptions based on who he is and my financial past helped.  It’s not that it was easy or normal and I know i stressed him out.  

Thing is i have been a rule following good boy for nearly 38 years and beurocracy and things out of my control were affecting me.   

I have to say i will time and again always go to him because I know no other mortgage broker would have gone through allllll the hasslesfrom proof of 1099 income, rental properties, strange stock investments, and just one crazy life with a history of moving 38 times in 38 years.  

If you have any mortgage needs i don’t hesitate to recommend him.  You should know that his company will require 2 years 1099 income history, if you are 1099. If W-2 just a contract or statement of employment and verification of income are needed.   

To get Matt please E-mail: MWildy@mloausa.com

Tell him I said he is amazing and you heard on locumCRNA.com ... no i don’t get anything for this.... just want him to know his little bro knows he is amazing!  

Holiday

Merry Christmas Eve, 

This means the Holidays are here!  You would not believe the trouble that surrounds this time of year.  Scheduling work is more challenging as most groups are not looking for summer vacation or the recruiters seem to know this time of year can be more challenging so pay can be less.  I see groups looking for just the holiday week coverage thinking 105 is great pay for that.  It’s sad that groups, recruiters, or CRNAs take advantage of other CRNAs by paying so little.  These rates have been the same since the early 2000s where R.N. travel rates have continued to climb steadily.   

I’ve seen many new CRNA owned companies coming out for CEUs, jobs, & other.  We are becoming more resourceful and entrepreneurial.  Just like going to a new group or workplace please do your diligence in knowing the people you are working with.  I’m going to be speaking for the first time with Education Adventures for CRNAs.  I have a one hour trial lecture with them in Costa Rica where I hope to talk on the pros and cons of locum anesthesia and what i believe some of the requisites, helpful qualities, and needs of the market are through my experiences in the past 7-8 years.  

Christmas can be a challenge for some and even for those that don’t “do” Christmas it’s a period that comes with down-time.  Less activity, less to do and work is minimal.  Look out for those that might have challenges, recent loss in the family, seem to be super happy but no plans.  Sit and chat or ask how they are doing.  Lend an ear or just be a happy person that’s there for them!   

I hope you have an amazing holiday season and from my family to yours.  Have an excellent holiday season and I’ll be chatting with you right here! 

Getting ready for a change

We are getting ready for our next adventure.  I am packing up the desk and supposed to be doing that so I decided to delay the inevitable.  I have credentialing papers to notarize and get back to the agencies.  I will be going through Austin Major and Odyssey.  Neither of which are paying what I have been making and Odyssey isn't paying housing at all which makes it a bummer of a short term contract.  It is intermittent GI coverage for just two months while I await credentialing with Austin Major. 

It is definitely a different story for us as we tend to look for places that have both the pay and hours/work types that I want.  This is the first time I have said I want to be in this area and need a specific area or work radius.  I was trying to independently do a contract but the group/anesthesia Management Company figured I would just take a full time job with them and I wouldn't stick with locums as I have reason to be in the area for a year or so.  They were mistaken and although they need people they have decided not to use me as I am the cost of a standard locum.  Unfortunately, this group doesn't know my work, ability, or flexibility.  However, I do have the ability, albeit at a lower rate, to find a couple more groups that will know for the future.  

So, I'm packing up things.  We have hired Uhaul movers to pack everything and load all into the Uhaul on the 3rd of January.  I will drive down to Virginia either late the third or the fourth.  Maybe close on our house.  I start work on the 5th of January when things are unpacked.  It will be crazy times.  I will be at a GI center for the day and some intermittent weeks.  

Things are crazy with the 11 month old that turns one year 2 days after we arrive in Virginia.  She is starting to crawl well and some surfing some while standing.  We still have the two dogs that will join us in the trek from Philadelphia to the Virginia Beach Area.  

The house is still a big question mark as we have had to push back closing due to a tax problem where they are saying we didn't file although they were sent back in 2016 :(.  This has now caused the builder to impose a $150/day penalty on not closing and the IRS is saying it'll be weeks.  How does one sue the government again?  Oh right, you can't.  Bonus they might even charge me a penalty for them saying they didn't receive my taxes!  Bad week this week.

Things have a way or working out... I'm just hoping somehow all comes together like it should.  Getting ready for the crazy that is January.  Are you ready to do another new environment with me?

Motivation

I was listening to someone talk in the lounge saying they would never leave this area.  Her husband was offered an amazing opportunity and they said no as it wasn’t in the city.  Their kid was going to college and they begged to have them closer to home and now they think they might return to the same city.   

I guess this idea of staying in one place for life or not entertaining moving for career or home is foreign to me.  I’ve moved around and met new people my whole life.  Freinds of the long term capacity can be hard to come by.  However, within the military life of moving i found lifetime friends.  I know moving has allowed me to make friends around the country and understand different types of people, culture, and demographics. 

I tend to think anyone could do the locum life if they were so inclined but I’m learning that the more rigidly settled a person is the less likely for them to do locums.  Per diem in multiple hospitals in the area might be their perfect gig and while it may be 1099 it is unlikely to be billed as locum.  Others find a w-2 job that will allow them to work 2 full time jobs.  I see them race from call shift to call shift and i wonder how they do it when i know how it feels working 60-80 hour weeks and how lovely it can be at 40 hours.   

I think it all comes down to motivation.  Part of my motivation is to keep up in all areas of practice so I’m well rounded.  My goal is to be flexible, work a fair amount and over.  I want to be capable of going into any room and being comfortable.   I love new sights and allowing family to see all that surrounds us and our opportunities as we grow together.  Others, look for safe, secure, & what is known.  Others look for moving up the ladder of success in leadership, research or business as they grow and that is their motivation.   

Its fun to learn where people are in life.  Then it is nice to remember those people and in going to new places meet those who might also mesh well with others and who might build people up to their potential.   

So, dream big and bring others along the journey.  Find a passion and a motivation!   

Talking to People

This is a social media site and so lets talk a little about speaking with people.  On-line, in-person, at work, or socially are all different social situations and yet your interactions are under scrutiny.  Did you know that people review what you do and say?  

Facebook, instagram, snap chat, and all the others are great social sites, right?  You get to keep in touch with everyone in one comment.  You get to post your amazing Friday night digs and afternoon off comments.  I know I'm not the first one to say these things but this is not just you and your friends.  Your words are out there on the web.  Your picture is available to anyone.  You partying it up and saying that you did what ever you did can be taken the wrong way.  I live my life as an open book for the most part.  I show pictures of my family and say my general day on-line a lot!  But, why is that ok or not.  People get to know me and they are not seeing parties, crazy life pictures, they are not seeing the worst or best things.  They see my average life.  I take a vacation to see family and enjoy a few days but they know I'm back to work on time and happy.  They know I'm working on my health.  They know I'm not sick all the time.  I'm not posting all the details of my contracts or the people I work with. 

I am sure groups, employers, and your fellow CRNAs are looking me up before I arrive.  Not because they want to get to know me but because they want to know what type of person is coming to work with them for 3 to 6 months.  They want to know if I'll be happy most of the time.  They want to know if I'm going to call in sick. They want to know if I'll complain about every little thing.  They want to know if I will work well with others at work.  

So, why is this important? I've heard this before!  OK, well it's pretty clear that people are not secure in any environment where there is more than one person.  If you choose social media as place to be, AWESOME. Just remember the more places you go and the more you speak or post or whatever.  Realize that an employer 5,10,15 years from now can find that post and either ask about it or just cancel you.  Many people say that it doesn't matter and are happy and content where they are.  Yup, you may be for 1 year, or even 4 years ... but then life happens and a change could come.  You never expected to move to mid-size town America and now you are applying to jobs or saying now I will be doing contracts for a little more flexibility.  You start sending things out and wonder... why is this difficult.  It's obvious there are needs.  You start to question what happened and when you go to an interview the Chief CRNA says "I took a flyer on you but your pictures looked like you go out more than you do anything else".  Then you say I haven't updated in over a year or two because life had changed and you became more private.  They don't know this... they only see what is available.   

Social Media and work.  Don't be that person.  The one that talks about your colleagues.  The one that takes offense to some comment and causes trouble.  Don't be the one sharing things that can be taken inappropriately.  If you wouldn't go to your family, parents, kids with it... well... think.

If you get time, Google yourself, your business, and things around you.  See what others see about you and the things you can improve for visual perception so you stand out in a good way.  I hope you totally see the implications of interaction on-line.  I hope it's an amazing weekend.  Comments or questions LocumCRNAs@gmail.com

Post Turkey Post

Let’s talk cold turkey.  Who is ready to do locums? What things do you have to consider?   

Insurance

this is a big one and i hate paying people in the off chance i need insurance.  I would rather put my money to work for me so that it can pay for what i need in the future.  Alas, i still pay for the family insurance for health, vision, dental and then have a malpractice policy.  I put up that we have liberty healthshare, some form of VA, and Cigna PPO.  Vision is VSP pro and dental is Delta Dental if i recall.  Malpractice insurance is through the AANA.  Are these perfect? Nope, and they don’t cover everything.  I’m on my way for a sleeve gastrectomy in Mexico.  I have tried every weight loss plan known to man and am doing this not because insurance thinks it’s a good idea... in fact they do not cover weight loss surgery even in morbid obesity.  It’s a $9,000 surgery and not covered.  I’ll see if they will cover any portion but my guess is no.  

Time off

I absolutely love and hate time off.  I love it because i work hard and want to truly enjoy life.  I hate it because i am losing income and spending $$.  I do everything i can not to miss paychecks in the year!  Being a locum does allow me to take months off per year if i need it though.  My daughter was born in January and I didn’t go back to work until March.  I contracted for the 2.5 weeks over thanksgiving to be off for surgery and vacation.  I’ll also be off all of January this coming 2018.   

I’ll also be speaking in Costa Rica for an hour in January!  sooooo, you can see time off can be had and when it’s important.  That doesn’t however mean that i tell facilities i can work only special hours or days.  I tell them I’m here to work.  Work extra??? Most times that is a hell yes! 

What else? 

there is plenty to talk about!  Let me know what you think.  Locumcrnas@gmail.com

Hello Hawaii

Here i am in Hawaii and I’m working on credentialing paperwork for the hospital and home loan paperwork for the mortgage.  It always seems i have to do some work on vacation.  I guess that’s part of being an adult these days.  

I try to be complete in getting things returned very quickly.  I told everyone that they should have paperwork done as I would be on vacation.  I figured I’d get some mortgage stuff as my brother is my broker and he is here... but credentialing for the hospital.  Canitant that I’ve done the agency/group/ and now hospital credential paperwork?  I know some hospitals third party credential... but why is it we can’t be centrally credentialed?   

I guess i can see how it would be negative because if you had any speed bump that would keep that group from credentialling and you’d be out of a job anywhere.  I just don’t see how we can get so many background checks?  Mine has been checked about every 6 months since i was 18. 

i hope i get in on that central credentialing agency! :). Granted it would likely be run by the nbcrna, aana, or nursys :) 

Lessons Learned

As a locum, one must remember the business is part of the game.  Speaking with groups, recruiters, doctors, & CRNAs is part of that.  I’m still learning but here’s what I know so far. 

Keeping doors open can be your best opportunity.   — don’t burn the bridges you traverse frequently.

Understanding the market in the areas your discussing can help you but you may not want to tell everyone that you know the market rates.

Until you have a signed contract you have nothing.  If you sign a contract ... honor it.

Be able to state things clearly but be flexible.

Knowing your abilities and being able to spin them in a good light will help you.

Negotiations for a long contract are possible but the company or group may want an interview just like being full time permanent staff.  

Never stop learning and keep your skillsets.  The skills that you have need to be tended and nurtured so as you continue your career keep your skills up.  If one place has a lot of one but none of the other... the next place should have what you are missing.  

Speaking of skills and education.  Review the CEU tab, State Meetings tab, and if you like us visit the Store for some small items we receive a small royalty on.