Stretching, Part II

So, James has been back in the NICU for about five months now. He switched back after working on the Crirical Care Transport Team for nearly a year. Though he loved the work on Transport, the longer shifts, and some issues there made it really hard on our family for a while. After a lot of discussion and prayer, we decided it was worth going back to work in the Unit again. It has been a hard road. James has missed flying especially, and the NICU isn't the same since they have nearly doubled in size of patients and nurses. He has had less challenging patients, since there are so many more employees to split the most critical babies between, and has felt like he was just not being used to the best of his abilities. Though I knew he was struggling with discouragement, I didn't want to think of another change, and am ashamed to admit my reaction several weeks ago when he tried to broach the subject. I burst into tears, and said I just couldn't talk about it right then. My dear husband kindly gave me a few days to think and process, and the next conversation went much better. He is such a kind man, and unselfish husband, because he really wanted to hear my opinion and depended on me to tell him the truth about my view of the potential job change. We are forever doing "Pros/Cons" lists, and I had a few on each.

The Pros for CCT were:
* James loves Transport b/c it is challenging and exciting. He is THE person flying to get a patient, with only a Respiratory Therapist as a partner, so it is major responsibility, and use of many skills to care for the patient aboard a helicopter usually (or jet or ambulance).
* His partner is great and they are a good team.
* Former frustrating (hospital politics) issues are no longer a factor, so when not on a call, he can rest. If he does, when he comes home, he is awake and with us!

Cons:
* 12 hour shifts require him to leave around 6 pm, 7 nights a week.
* Increased danger (helicopter or jet or ambulance crashing)
* If they run calls all night, he still has to sleep when he comes home, and we really have zero time with him.
* I have to do the bedtime routine with all three children, which is a challenge, since they do not go to sleep easily at all.

Pros for the NICU:
* Several close friends add to the enjoyment of the job.
* He is great at caring for sick babies.
* Shorter, 11-7 shift enables him to be here through dinner, bath, and bedtime with the kids.
* Danger pretty non-existent.

Cons:
* Job is less challenging due to the changes in the unit's size.
* Always up all night, so must sleep all day.

There was no clear right or wrong choice. It came down to what we felt God was telling us to do. We prayed for peace about it all, and God truly enabled me to be fine with James' going back to CCT. He didn't manipulate or convince me. I just knew that while he is able to do this job he loves, I want to encourage him. Since he provides for our whole family, I am glad he can do what he loves, and it allows me the privilege to be able to stay home and be a wife and mom. It was not even hard to agree, because I knew that James really wanted the best for our family, and would accept it if I really had a problem. We are working hard on getting the kids to go to bed without the long, drawn out routine that it has become, really because of our lack of discipline. We needed to deal with that anyway, so now have more motivation.

This whole scenario was hard for me, because it does take me beyond my comfortable, known routine of nearly five years of the 11-7 NICU shift James has worked. It's good to stretch though, when you love someone - and he is so worth it. So, July 9th, my husband will be back to flying on that helicopter, and I'm very happy for him! We would appreciate your prayers for his safety, and our adjustment back to the evenings without him. Especially, please ask for good sleep for my kiddos!