As the year, and decade roll to a conclusion, I am moving closer to thinking that retirement vs employment is a better option. And this is before I actually get to work. Here’s the abbreviated scoop….
I have travel booked in to Iglulik for January 2nd, meaning I’ll leave just after midnight, drive to my nursing classmate’s and leave my car, taxi to the airport and catch the 0530 Air Canada flight to Ottawa, then Canadian North to Iqaluit and First Air to Iglulik..arriving (hopefully) mid afternoon to -22c weather. I began my quest on December 2nd and was originally told by the manager that there was an opening for Homecare Supervisor in Iglulik and she would pass my dates along to the scheduler. After a week, I contacted the staffing person to be told that she was awaiting direction from the manger as there was an indeterminate (full time) homecare supervisor booked for Jan 10th in Iglulik who would need orientation. I’m sure with my first time there and only for a week, I’ll be pretty disorientated myself, so we’ll see. I received an email from the manager asking if I’d work the first three weeks in Iglulik and move to Pangnirtung for the final time. I asked about per diems if being relocated and was advised that ‘GN process is for two separate CSAs’. I was assured they’d book me to relocate during the week when I’m being paid, not on the weekend when I'm off - I have since received a hotel booking for Iqaluit on Friday Jan 24th and flight to Pang on Saturday. I requested a two day layover in Ottawa without accommodation when my duty travel was being booked for February and initially the manager agreed to this, then stated it wasn’t allowed ‘due to GN liability’ even though we aren’t paid for our travel out of community. Since I’d already planned a visit with the daughter and son in law, I advised I’d book my own travel from Ottawa to Halifax…apparently no liability with this plan. I have since received a booking for the Hilton Garden Inn in Ottawa for Feb 13th (one day too early) with flight in to Ottawa for Feb 14th at 10 pm and out the morning of the 15th at 7:30 am. Haven’t dealt with any of that yet because….on Dec 20th I received two CSAs to sign for Iglulik Jan 2 - 24 and Pangnirtung Jan 26 - Feb 14 stating I’d receive step 2 on the 6 step salary scale. This was particularly annoying as I know an RN with two years experience who receives step 4 on every contract. I requested amended CSAs to sign, the Director advised that HR had to make the change, not line managers and she would contact me Dec 27th. On Saturday Dec 28th I had an email exchange with the Director who advised (as I expected) that HR wasn’t available until January 2nd and would I fly in to Iglulik and HR could check the pay scale upon their return? I responded that I was expecting step 4 but was advised that there was no way to promise this so….I replied that I would sign the CSA for Iglulik only with the understanding that the pay scale would be amended to step 4 or I would not move on to Pang. My thoughts of the nurse eagerly heading home from Iglulik on Jan 2 was the only reason for my capitulation. If anyone asks me about the staffing crisis in the north or retention…I think I can provide some background. And unfortunately, this sort of tale is becoming the norm. How messed up are they? I'm certainly glad that we've had a great holiday visit with the family which has helped settle the priorities and distract from the silliness of the government bureaucracy.
It's been a busy month since I arrived home with baking, social activities and I even managed to get some gifts completed. The shore captain and I were a team with crocheted shawl (me) and shawl pin (he) for the baby daughter, a Saskatchewan Roughriders poncho in white, green and black (complete with my first ever graph of their logo) according to his specifications for the firstborn daughter and a jeans top for the teacher daughter (which I created in Cuba) plus last minute three cowls for three daughters. Fun to have your creations appreciated. I had a few Frenchy's shops (always good therapy) and for the first time I experienced a 'heist' of my basket (granted before I paid but there were some great finds in there for my next grandbaby). Did a bit of online shopping - as did many on our rural route - the Canada Post driver had to make additional deliveries on the weekend before the holidays because he wasn't sure he could fit the 160 parcels in his van saying "you've all discovered online shopping" as the reason.
The house is suddenly quiet without several extra generations being accommodated and no sounds of little feet. It was wonderful to have the oldest daughter and her new to Canada husband with us for a spell. Gave us a chance to show him some maritime hospitality and introduce him to local foods. We had roast beef the first evening he arrived and he said with a grin "what is this - beef? shut the door!" as it is only served at resorts in Cuba. We were able to provide an ‘almost’ surprise baby shower for them under the guise of a ‘meet n greet’ for our son in law which saw at least 45 people drop in. They received lovely baby gifts, lots of cash and gift cards while having great visits with neighbours, friends and family. There was the usual extended family supper and catching up on the news, the grandkids hanging out with their cousins and lots of excitement. Santa came to visit, especially as Grawmp put out reindeer food for the sleigh pullers, and both grandkids and newest son in law were very pleased. Christmas supper was served to over a dozen and we had multiple delicious meals with various combinations of family members (depending on who was working at the time) and ate WAY too much. Yesterday the last of the houseguests moved on, the tree went out the door, and lots of reorganizing and purging was done.
Today was spent….packing. Sounds like a simple activity but it took over the day. Searching through travel accessories, lining up my travel clothes, unearthing the northern gear - parka, snow pants, Pang hat, sealskin mitts, scarf and kamiks into the stuff sack to wear from Ottawa onwards. Sorting through the scrubs, shoes,fuzzy pjs, humidifier, headlamp, external drive of movies, choosing books and craft projects, charging the UV light, iPod, power pack and finding all the documents for work. Packing my knapsack, partially packing two duffels (45lb remaining for groceries) and developing to do lists.
Tomorrow the oldest grandson arrives for a sleepover and will accompany us on our New Years Eve date. We've gotten movie tickets to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Staying up to ring in 2020 will likely not be an option for the three of us. Speaking of grandkids, I discovered that gramping (also called grandcation or a skip-gen getaway) is the latest travel trend...grandparents taking their grandchildren on vacation, even tours booked according to age (grandkids not the seniors) We're on trend it seems.
The next update will likely happen after return from Nunavut as I'll just use data on my phone to keep up online and with the ransom virus attack the network is (belatedly) vigilant about visiting non government sites. Happy New Year and looking forward to 2020...what a date! Another great year coming up!
