Job news.

Now that it's official, I can share the details. I started at Duke almost two years ago in the position I have now. When I was interviewing, the team leader told me they had requested an additional day for the position and wanted to be sure I was ok working three days/week. I said I was, but at the time, I could have gone either way. The extra money would have been nice, but Theo was 10 months old, I'd never spent an entire day away from him and three days seemed like a lot. So, for about a year, I didn't say much about it.

Over the past year, it's been clear that the third day was needed. We'd really like to move to a bigger house, closer to Duke, and needed the extra income to do that. Also, my patient load is crazy and I was having a hard time getting everything done in two days. So, I started asking. And asking and asking and asking. Heard lots of empty promises and "maybes." So, I started poking around just to see what else was out there. I wanted to remain part time and I wanted to continue working in a hospital, in pediatrics, so that limited the options. I did find a part time position at Wake Med and applied.

The short version is, after a phone interview and a TWO HOUR panel interview, I was offered the position. I was honest with Duke the whole time and let them know exactly why I was looking and that it had absolutely nothing to do with being unhappy there, just a need for more hours. Well, all of a sudden, they got serious. My boss asked me not to accept an offer without giving them a chance to respond. I got the unofficial offer from Wake Med a week ago, but had to wait on the HR rep to come back from vacation to give me the official offer and to discuss salary. She finally called and I kid you not, while I was on the phone with her, my pager went off with a message that said "can you start working three days/week on August 15th? Call me immediately." Nothing like the 11th hour!!

I told both hospitals I needed a night to think on it. There were pros and cons to both. Wake Med is closer. It's a new position with 20 hours a week that I could use however I wanted and come and go as I please. But. It was grant funded. It was a new position. They wanted 5 days/week (4 hours/day) which could have easily started looking like a full time job. I didn't know anyone. It would be starting over. I love working at Duke. I have friends there. I am respected for my work and have a good relationship with my clinics. It would be more money. But. It's three full days away from the kids. I'd never get to take or pick up Theo from preschool, so I would feel like I didn't know his teachers at all. One of my coworkers drives me crazy.

I called my boss on my way home that evening and told her about not being able to take and pick up Theo from school and how sad that made me. She agreed that on Tuesdays I could flex my hour and work 9:30 to 6 instead of 8:30 to 5. That sealed it. I did come home and talk with Susan and we agreed that the extra money and the concession of the hour on Tuesdays was more than I could have hoped for. I also would be earning PTO and retirement. And, when we are able to move, the commute will be cut in half, so the days won't seem quite as long.

I gave my decision yesterday and was SO relieved. It's been a long two weeks and it felt like I was playing chicken with Duke. I'm so happy they came through for me. Wake Med asked if there was anything they could do to change my mind, but I had my mind made up. This is going to mean really good things for us and we have a goal to be in a new house in 18 months! I also had my annual review yesterday which went well and I was able to thank my boss in person. And, hear a lot of nice things about my work and contributions to the team which felt nice.

So, that's the story. Susan and I will be Dookies for a good long while!!