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Posted 3/4/2009 1:24 PM (GMT -8)
Hi!

I was wondering if anyone would like to share what kind of jobs they have or have had and any obstacles you've had to overcome? I'm currently in my third year in Respiratory Therapy, about to graduate in two months :) 

Posted 3/5/2009 12:27 AM (GMT -8)
Hiya,

respiritory therapy, that sounds interesting!

The only jobs I have had are shop work at Mcdonalds and at a sports shop. My biggest obsticle, was getting time off work when sick. It's hard to find an employer who will understand when you need 2 weeks off work every 3 months. For me, my IV's then went up to monthly because I was overstretching myself and not having enough time to recover, so I then needed IV's once a month.

I'm currently doing some research into CF in employment for an English assignment, so I have a couple of source document websites that have some good information about it.
There's this one:
http://www.cfvoice.com/info/articles/workplace.jsp
and this one:
http://www.cftrust.org.uk/aboutcf/publications/factsheets/Employment-complete%28Oct_2006%29.pdf


I know the second one is based on UK employment, but it still has some useful information in there.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your course!
Gem :)
Posted 3/5/2009 10:44 AM (GMT -8)
Yes, it is very interesting ... I love it! Of course I have to be extra cautious about infection control and get tested way more often to make sure I don't catch anything. Luckily I've never had pseudomonas or even staph (which I know is a miracle, lol). Our hospitals here are very infection control oriented, we have precaution signs on patients doors, and everyone is very compliant with handwashing and wearing appropriate protection.

Thanks for the websites! They were helpful :) I'm not familiar with the education system in the UK, are you in university or college?
Posted 3/27/2009 8:24 PM (GMT -8)
For 4 years I have been a payroll administrator, before that I was a DBA, Programmer, Systems Analyst, data entry/customer service agent (all four was for the same company for a span of 2 years, I quit the job), before that a sales associate, and before that a librarian assistant.

Biggest obsticle I have had prior to August of 2008, was dealing with "stupid" people. I showed up to work everyday on time and never called out for a "headache". I had over 120 hours of vacation and 80 hour of sick time accumulated. I took a few days off for vacation every so often, but for the most part I showed up for work.

I think the biggest thing personal obsticle was the "stares" of new people with the companies I work for when they here my CF cough and the frequency of the cough. I did work for a short time for a nonprofit organization, and was fired due to the disconcerting cough. I would have sued, but it would have cost more money to do so, than I would get out of it and it was just a $6 an hour job....

CF people can do anything they put their minds to and not let the stares and those who feel the need to tell us we can't do it bother us. We are strong people and we have just as much to contribute to the world as anyone else.
Go for your dreams.
Posted 6/5/2009 2:18 PM (GMT -8)
Hello, I am a recent graduate of the physical therpist assistant program in kansas city and I have also had some difficulty. It is really hard to decide where I wanna work because I want to work in geriatrics but as you know, thats a pretty risky field. I will say that I too have been lucky in that I haven't had a run in with staph or MRSA. I cultured pseudamonas when I was 12 and it has been dormant ever since. I was at clinic yesterday actually, and the doctor told me that because my FEV1s and FVCs were so good, I should pick the setting that makes me the most happy, and then take necessary precautions. (hand washing, gloves, mask, gown) that sort of thing. Hope that helps you!

Casey
Posted 9/17/2009 2:45 PM (GMT -8)
I am a psychology graduate from Monmouth university and have been working in a medical office environment that is fairly germ free, but I am still trying to figure out what I want to do. I often feel trapped do to insurance restrictions if I still want to go back to school. I have a policy that says I can stay on my parents insurance up to 30 years old if need be if I work part time. The problem is I don't know what I want to go back to school for. this I enjoy the medical field but there are so many areas. Not sure which environment would be the best health wise and what work schedule would be most beneficial for my health maintenance. I find that working three days a week 8 hours a day wipes me out by the end of the week. I have doubts that I would struggle to work a 9-5 job 5 days a week. Just some thoughts I have running through my head. if anyone wants to reply with suggestions or thoughts I look forward to them.

KS
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