Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
hi everybody,
I have a tough decision to make about work, and I'm hoping some of you might have advice. First, the background- I have a master's degree in public health and have worked in healthcare management type jobs for years. I was diagnosed with RA three years ago and have only seen very brief improvements, despite a great rheumy who is aggressively treating me. I also had a pre-existing spinal injury that means chronic pain and a paralyzed foot. At this rate, it seems likely that I will eventually be on disability, but I can't estimate how far away that might be. I'm 31 and married. My partner cannot carry me on her insurance, so I need to provide my own benefits. My current job (managing a statewide quality improvement collaborative) has a very ideal schedule- it's half time plus whatever more I feel is appropriate, and my boss is incredibly flexible. As long as the work gets done he is happy. The work is great exposure for me, as the group I manage is full of very high-ranking executives. The problem is that I work for a very small non-profit, and the benefits aren't great. My medical care is costing me thousands of dollars, and this company doesn't have short-term disability. Also, I'm working on a six month, grant-funded contract. There is reason to believe we will get more funding, but no guarantee. My company is so small that they don't have to offer COBRA, so if we don't get more funding, I could be S.O.L., with no insurance.
Before the current job was offered to me (in December) I applied for a job at our local Children's Hospital. I know a lot of people there, and believe I have a very good shot at the job I applied for. I have a second interview tomorrow. The job is managing many projects at once. I don't think it could be very flexible, since I'd have to be running many meetings around other people's schedules. It's full-time, and will probably often require early mornings. This hospital offers incredible benefits- great medical, short-term disability, etc. It's permanently funded, too. The pay will probably work out about the same as what I make now. So, the question is, do I give up my very flexible, relatively low stress work for this new job? Please pardon this very long post, and do know that I am grateful to even have this decision to make. I understand that I am in a very lucky position, but I'm agonizing over this. I appreciate any thoughts.
thanks,
Caren
I have a tough decision to make about work, and I'm hoping some of you might have advice. First, the background- I have a master's degree in public health and have worked in healthcare management type jobs for years. I was diagnosed with RA three years ago and have only seen very brief improvements, despite a great rheumy who is aggressively treating me. I also had a pre-existing spinal injury that means chronic pain and a paralyzed foot. At this rate, it seems likely that I will eventually be on disability, but I can't estimate how far away that might be. I'm 31 and married. My partner cannot carry me on her insurance, so I need to provide my own benefits. My current job (managing a statewide quality improvement collaborative) has a very ideal schedule- it's half time plus whatever more I feel is appropriate, and my boss is incredibly flexible. As long as the work gets done he is happy. The work is great exposure for me, as the group I manage is full of very high-ranking executives. The problem is that I work for a very small non-profit, and the benefits aren't great. My medical care is costing me thousands of dollars, and this company doesn't have short-term disability. Also, I'm working on a six month, grant-funded contract. There is reason to believe we will get more funding, but no guarantee. My company is so small that they don't have to offer COBRA, so if we don't get more funding, I could be S.O.L., with no insurance.
Before the current job was offered to me (in December) I applied for a job at our local Children's Hospital. I know a lot of people there, and believe I have a very good shot at the job I applied for. I have a second interview tomorrow. The job is managing many projects at once. I don't think it could be very flexible, since I'd have to be running many meetings around other people's schedules. It's full-time, and will probably often require early mornings. This hospital offers incredible benefits- great medical, short-term disability, etc. It's permanently funded, too. The pay will probably work out about the same as what I make now. So, the question is, do I give up my very flexible, relatively low stress work for this new job? Please pardon this very long post, and do know that I am grateful to even have this decision to make. I understand that I am in a very lucky position, but I'm agonizing over this. I appreciate any thoughts.
thanks,
Caren
Someone on here has one in place that allows them to not be penalized when they need a day off.
I hope that they will catch this thread and speak up.
Given that your pay would be much the same, here are some of the questions I would be asking...
1) Are you going to be in a situation (more time, less flexibility, new people, new expectations) where you increase your stress, and how do you think you can handle it?
2) Do the improved benefits cover your high medical costs?
3) Will your commute be better or worse?
4) Will your every day life, routines, etc. be better or worse?
My wife works as a grant writer at a small, rural community college, and the concept of relying on grant funding is a very real concern. I was self-employed most of my career (9 years in Redmond, WA, btw), and for a lot of the time, I was self-insured. Couldn't afford disability, but I was younger, healthy and could afford that lapse, as well as high deductibles. (BTW, I worked as an employee at Nintendo for a year, and when I left, I found that COBRA sucked).
My inclination would be to say take the new job, if you think you can handle it, and you're not likely to be stressed out and regret it anytime soon. Stability is HUGE right now, and good medical benefits, alas, are worth gold. Also, remember that "great exposure" is worth only what you it offers you immediately, or how you can parlay it into something better. It sounds to me like your history might be paving the way for something better.
On the other hand, I worked like a madman for many, many years, became over-stressed and developed fibromyalgia (early to mid 90's). I began to understand stress, started cutting back the hours I worked, changed to healthier routines, and was rewarded by being "let go" (expendible contractor). It worked out well, in the end, when I found a contract that was half the hours for about the same pay. I was fortunate in that my wife started back to work and provided insurance.
Long-winded reply (sorry), but for me, stress is a key ingredient. If you can manage it, and you're happy with all else, I'd say go for it.
I wish you all the best in your interview, so you have a choice.
doug
From what information you've laid out, I can guess what I would do:
I would go for the full time job knowing that you will get excellent care and benefits, plus exposure to a lot of movers and shakers.
If you need to go on short or long term disability, the possible new option would be a much better set up.
Really, since you said pay is similar, remove it from the equation.
That leaves benefits versus a more flexible schedule.
It sounds like you are eventually going to need the benefits no matter what.
In the meantime, can your partner look around at jobs that offer insurance coverage for you? My husband's company is based in Redmond and I thought Washington was much more progressive in insurance coverage.
Caren