I have a job, and mixed thoughts on it.

[walkwithheroes]

I have gotten a job as a receptionist at a busy doctor office. I was with Goodwill and because of my physical disability, they helped me find the job. I have very mixed feelings on the job.

1) I'm wondering how I'll be able to write now that I work 7:40-5:00. When does everyone else write?

2) I'm so damn bored. Like really bored. There are three other receptionists up front and one is out until after New Years. The other two are so busy that they haven't had anytime to train me. I'm more or less learning as I go and just asking questions as needed. I've actually told them I feel bad, because I have nothing to do and just feel bored. They told me after New Years I'll be learning and be busy. Great - two weeks of more sitting, because -

3) They don't really let me do anything. I can check patients in, but when I offer to do it, C, tells me: "I do the patient check ins." Discharging is done by C and I, and I'd love to help, but they haven't trained me in that. And they might not, as they are switching how they discharge in Jan or Feb.

4) Everyone is nice, but I feel lonely and in the way. Nobody speaks to me. I have to start conversations at lunch or whatever, and even then I have to say things two or three times before they respond. Then the convos are very short. I get a clicky feeling from them. I know its been a week, but darn God, they could ask me about myself or something! Only the NP speaks to me, and he's very kind, but then I heard from someone (because its OJT (on the job training) my caseworker has to visit me 2 times a month for three months) that he and the doctors (who also like me) think I'm too serious and I need to loosen up. But, I don't know what to do. No one is telling me and I feel really awkward around these people. I'm inveterated and I can be quiet as I people watch, but I'm different once I know people. But, how can I get to know anyone, if they won't speak to me? Tips?

5)I'm not even sure of my job duties and if I'm really a receptionist. Apparently after the New Year the doctors are starting some new project and they may have hired me to fill in for I as she helps or to do the project. They like that I have a degree, have a minor in English, and am organized. So God knows what I'll even be doing in a month. I'm so confused. Not even the Doctors know what I'm supposed to be.

6) I have no idea how long it will last. OJT lasts three months and I can totally see them letting me go after (they did mention it could be temporary) three months. (After the project)I just have a weird feeling that I'm not there for the long haul. I'm learning what I can, I'm polite, I ask questions and do what I can to help; but, I have a feeling that a lot of them see my shyness and unsureness as being snotty and that my being bored is a bad thing. But, let me be honest: I said I wanted to do more, because I feel badly that they are paying me ten dollars an hour to sit there and literally do nothing for six of the hours that I am there.





But, I want to hear what you guys think. I understand it is the first week and they are very busy for the holidays, but is it weird that no one is letting me do anything (but paperwork that a second grader could do. Today they had me put addresses on letters) or even bothering to train me during lunch/down time? Is it weird that the nurses and other two receps are nice and polite, but also don't really speak to me unless I have a question or unless I something three times, and even then the conversations are very short. Is it weird that aside from the NP, no one has asked me a damn thing about myself at lunch or at the end of the day? Or am I being over anxious as this is my first job and I'm dying to do something and make a good impression?


All I know is that I'm bored and lonely and feel like I don't fit in with all these married mothers/fathers. I don't understand their humor and I have no husband/live in boyfriend/wife/children to speak of. As my mother told me: Married and seriously dating people don't really hang around singles.

Comments

[shipwreck_light]

If they're not giving you enough to do, you could always write at work. I'll fess up to doing that on the odd Thursday afternoon. In fact, I wrote the conversation with Zephyr in the thing I just posted thusly.

Usually, I write after supper/beading. It's important to do at least a little at the same time every day, or thereabouts, because then your brain will be all- oh, it's writing time! Doing something more physical than mental before helps with the whole brain keying in thing too.

Anyway, you should def. stick it out.

Nobody asked me much the first five months or so I was at my job. Until I started sassing them gently in the aforementioned quiet afternoons. (Easy one though: if you have a remarkably and obviously jerky customer? That's a great topic.)

Now, I understand not everyone has sass in them, but you could at least try telling stories or remarking on neutral things.

[walkwithheroes]

I'd love to write at work, but the way the computers are set up - that's impossible. I've decided to write on Fridays and Saturdays. I'll just have to find ways to remind myself that I need to write on those days.

Several people have commented that things will get better. I'm polite and I'm trying to learn. I speak when spoken to. i'm certainly not quitting. I figure that if I stay for a year, then I'll have experience and be able to go into something closer to my field.