(no subject)

[disneydream06]

The count down is down to single digits.
Well, it will be the 10th day I celebrate 35 LONG years of working for the WFMC, World Famous Mayo Clinic.
There are good things and bad things with this celebration.
Firstly, it's both good and bad that I have worked there for 35 years. WOW, I have worked for one company for 35 years. HOLY CRAP, I have worked for the same place for 35 years. :o
The big count down has a major benefit.
Many many years ago they decided that if a nurse had worked for them for so many years they wouldn't have to float to another area if their station was quiet. They decided to let each station choose how many years it would take to get that benefit or if they would have that benefit. Then just a few years ago, the union got it into our contract that the aides would also get that benefit. So if the station you work on has the benefit for the nurses the aides would also get that benefit.
Fortunately, the station I work on has the benefit for the nurses.
Unfortunately, they have the longest waiting period of all the nursing stations at both hospitals.
The waiting period on my station is 35 years of service or reaching the age of 60 years.
Did any of that make sense? lol...
So starting on September 14th, I will no long have to float off my station if they are busy enough to keep at least one aide. If it is so quiet that they are not keeping any aides I will still have to float to another station, but thankfully that doesn't happen too often.
This will be nice because our managers have hired a butt load of aides and most nights we have at least 3 aides scheduled.
So I have seven more shifts to rotate through the floating process with the other aides.

Comments

[chaquir.livejournal.com]

So, does that mean your job is getting easier?

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Mentally a little easier because I don't have to worry every night going in that I might have to float off my station.

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

You must like it if you have been so long, that or the pay and benefits are so good you won't leave.

I was made redundant twice in five years, so haven't had the opportunity to stay anywhere long term.

You must have a fabulous pension! When do you retire..?

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Benefits use to be great, but they are slowly taking away/reducing them.
I occasionally have people ask me if I have thought about doing something else, and my response is, at this point, how do I give up that kind of seniority and start over fresh some place else? :o

Like most American companies, I think Mayo would do away with our pension if they could. So far the union has stood strong to save it. One of the few things they have done for us.
I don't imagine I will be retiring for some time yet. :p

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You didn't tell me that you started at The Mayo Clinic as a child!! Congratulations on your immense achievement. The longest I've ever been in one job is 5.5 years! Your stamina and endurance is awe-inspiring.

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Each year/month/week/day gets longer and harder with each shift. lol...
I graduated high school, had a couple of weeks off. Then I took the vo-tech course and graduated from that. Interviewed at one of the hospitals got hired and started a few days later. :o

[britalone.livejournal.com]

Wow, 35 years! That is a great achievement! There must be something you like about the job to stay that long and I guess they must like you too!
Congratulations!

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

I know it probably sounds lame, but I do like helping people. :)

[incertum-verum.livejournal.com]

Congrats on 35 years at your job!!!!

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Crikey - 35 years at one job or lace. Not for me.

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Some times I really do wonder how the hell it happened. LOL...

[owlstorm_9]

so....if it's slow & they send the other aides floating off somewhere because none are needed, what would you be doing all night??

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

If no aides are needed, then I do still have to float. :(
Fortunately that doesn't happen too often. Although there was 3-4 nights over about a month's time this Summer where they did float us all. :(
It's the same for the nurses, but rarely would we ever need that few of nurses.

[bangdrum.livejournal.com]

Congrats on 35 years! I can't even imagine staying at one job for 2 years... :-P

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

And now it's really too late to change.
How do you give up 35 years of seniority and start completely over some where else? :o

[polvodestrella.livejournal.com]

WOW, 35 years! They should make you the manager!

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

LOL.....
Nah, I actually have a heart so I couldn't be management. :p

[fairy69.livejournal.com]

Do you get a pin or a plaque for that length of time? I didn't realize it was the Mayo Clinic that you worked for. They pay well? And I have to give you tons of credit for working the overnight shift. In the late 90s, I was a switchboard operator at a hospital only weekends and holidays (I was going to college at the time) during the graveyard shift. I had health problems because of the severe sleep switch and I had many nights where I just didn't know how I would stay awake. The only good thing was that there was enough gossip and other dramas at that time period to keep me entertained. :)

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

We get a pin and usually a gift certificate to eat out some where. We also get a list of gifts that we get to pick from.
These things happen on the 5 year anniversaries starting with No. 5.
For 30 years I picked a bike. This time I am looking at either an electric grill or an off brand 13 inch tablet. At least I am not familiar with the company. lol...
They pay okay, but I am sure I make a decent wage only because we are union. And Mayo HATES unions.

[nucleosides.livejournal.com]

Ooo, the Mayo Clinic. Impressive!

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

I grew up here so it's really not that impressive to me. LOL...
And sadly it's just turning into another HUGE corporation. :(

[kaishin108.livejournal.com]

I am so HAPPY for YOU! That is amazing that you have been there 35 years, at one company, WOW! It is also amazing that you have to be at the company for 35 long years to get that benefit?! I don't think they thought anyone would last that long, I am glad you proved then wrong. Way to Go Jon!!!
Hugz,
Helen

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Other stations in the hospitals have a much shorter wait time for the benefit. No clue why my station decided on such a long wait.
Last year they looked at changing down to 30 years but it was rejected. ARGH...
7 more days. :o

[ashmedai.livejournal.com]

Congratulations, that's awesome! :D

*hugs*

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)
Some times I wonder if it's fantastic or crazy. LOL............

[dan4behr.livejournal.com]

I have now worked for the state of NC for 15 years. It hardly seems possible. Before that, I worked for a restaurant management company for 14. So, I'm catching up with you.

I totally understand some of your comments about 'corporatization' and higher ups wanting to reduce your benefits. Many who have been in state service longer than I recollect fondly that the benefits were much better in the past as they have steadily eroded in the past dozen years or so. Optional insurance benefits, in particular, have gotten much pricier over the past few years.

Congrats on 35!

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much.

When I first started to work there you could pay to have 100% insurance coverage. :o Of course back then I was young and stupid and never went to the doctor. Now that I could use that, it's far from that good of coverage. And each year seems to get worse. Which sucks when you work for hospital/clinic. ARGH...

They are also trying bust the union. They just outsourced the kitchen help, and it was just announced for the time being the employee cafeteria is going to be closed on weekends. :o
I have also heard that the company they outsourced to also has a housekeeping division, so it won't surprise me in the least if they don't get rid of the housekeeping department too. :o

[ellierachael.livejournal.com]

That's quite the anniversary!

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Indeed.
I am just trying to decide if it's a good quite or a bad quite. :p