So I took a job as a janitor in the Hospital 6.5 years ago for many reasons. Most importantly it worked around my kids (who were young then) schedule for school, worked around my wife’s schedule (teacher), and had great benefits. Four years ago. Finished my Bachelors degree, which was paid for (one of the benefits) by the hospital, and have been trying to move up in the chain with many roadblocks in the way. Family sickness and death have kept me from truly pursuing a change as well as the kids schooling needing my schedule to be flexible. This year they all started high school and have done fairly well in getting themselves off in the mornings. Combined with my moms health stabilizing and a better nursing facility for my wife’s grandmother, has meant pursuit of a new position was on again. I interviewed a few weeks ago for a spot and totally killed it in the interview, was really sure I had the spot. I got called for a second round interview and nailed it, absolutely sure I got the job, especially when they started with introducing me to the rest of the team as John, the guy taking the spot at xxxxxx and telling me about my office. Was introduced to not only my bosses boss, but their boss and the Vice President over that section of the business and having a great 15 minute unscheduled discussion that ended in a “It’ll be great to have you aboard!” From the VP.

Then the Coronavirus hits big . Hospitals are in a crazy fight right now to protect employees and patients. All non-essential surgeries are cancelled, office employees are put on furlough as they are not seeing patients or scheduling appointments, nurses in surgeries have only emergency cases so are asked to take vacation time. Basically one side of the business shuts down as the other side braces for the tsunami of Covid cases to come. We currently have two at my facility, and one of our sister facilities lost a nurse who had contracted it . The date set to call me back to offer me the position passed and when I tried to contact the people who interviewed me they had all been inundated with dealing with patient appointment cancellations, office closures and prep work for the crisis. Got a late email saying the position is being temporarily put on hold until things shake out. Yesterday I followed up to see how things were progressing to be told I’d know at the end of the day. End of the day comes with no answer, sleepless night, long morning with no reply. Worn out and trying to get the kids started with the online schooling which started this morning.

Finally phone rang, informed I got the job, but pay and details are not worked out yet. Start date still in the air as training classes have been put on hold until further notice.

In the end, super excited. Can’t wait to begin this new chapter in my life. I may be laying down the mop at the hospital, but still going to work it out at the church on the side.

One of my co-workers said to me the other day. “John, you deserve this, it’ll happen. It’s just taking a pandemic to slow you down, but it’s not stopping you .”

Many of you have been on my blog for YEARS, and I thank you. It’s been a hard, long, difficult time. In the end though it has been worth it. I know others are struggling right now. Ive been lucky that I have two jobs that I can still work at while many others are being laid off and trying to make ends meet. All I can suggest is keeping your nose to the grindstone even when it feels like you or it has been worn through.

It gets better.

Thank You all again.
John Mathews-Theophony