Friday, February 02, 2007
The Plans I have for You
I can only quickly wander past today because I am busy sorting out job applications (or I would be if I could - read on!). There is a new online application form that is supposed to make things much easier for the 20,000 junior doctors applying for jobs in the UK and for the consultants who have to shortlist, interview and appoint them.
Instead it has turned into a bit of a disaster. There were supposed to be 9 jobs in Scotland for diabetes, my own specialty - instead there are just 4. Over 10,000 doctors can expect to be unemployed from August as this is replicated throughout every department across the UK. The application forms are plain funny - testing us more on our creative writing than our aptitude as doctors. The consultants shortlisting from these forms have not been told yet how they are allowed to mark them and choose who to interview. I've been trying to fill in my form online but the website keeps crashing, deleting everything I have filled in so far with it. The deadline is on Sunday, but I am on night shift all weekend so I was hoping to get in before I go to work tonight.
It's given me an interesting opportunity to seriously consider what to do if I don't end up with a job. I've thought about changing specialties. I really enjoy Geriatrics and Acute Medicine, but their trainees are in exactly the same position as me. I've thought about leaving the country. I'm not experienced enough yet to work longer-term abroad in a mission setting, but many of my friends have left to work in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I've even thought about leaving medicine itself. I studied History of Art briefly as part of my medical degree and loved it. I love learning languages and speak five of them (with varying degrees of competency). But what could I do after that and can I really go back to university again?
In amongst all this, I am trying to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing that God has the plans for my life in his hands and has established all my steps. It is his purpose that will stand, not the random decision of a computer. God understands every plan and thought of men but it will his own will that has the victory. I'm trying to see this as exciting and as an adventure, knowing that I can have this trust in God. I feel desperately sorry for my friends and colleagues who are entering this uncertain time without this knowledge and peace.
Just as you read this, I would ask for your prayers that God's will be done here and also for my Christian witness and testimony as I share my own security with others.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Instead it has turned into a bit of a disaster. There were supposed to be 9 jobs in Scotland for diabetes, my own specialty - instead there are just 4. Over 10,000 doctors can expect to be unemployed from August as this is replicated throughout every department across the UK. The application forms are plain funny - testing us more on our creative writing than our aptitude as doctors. The consultants shortlisting from these forms have not been told yet how they are allowed to mark them and choose who to interview. I've been trying to fill in my form online but the website keeps crashing, deleting everything I have filled in so far with it. The deadline is on Sunday, but I am on night shift all weekend so I was hoping to get in before I go to work tonight.
It's given me an interesting opportunity to seriously consider what to do if I don't end up with a job. I've thought about changing specialties. I really enjoy Geriatrics and Acute Medicine, but their trainees are in exactly the same position as me. I've thought about leaving the country. I'm not experienced enough yet to work longer-term abroad in a mission setting, but many of my friends have left to work in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I've even thought about leaving medicine itself. I studied History of Art briefly as part of my medical degree and loved it. I love learning languages and speak five of them (with varying degrees of competency). But what could I do after that and can I really go back to university again?
In amongst all this, I am trying to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing that God has the plans for my life in his hands and has established all my steps. It is his purpose that will stand, not the random decision of a computer. God understands every plan and thought of men but it will his own will that has the victory. I'm trying to see this as exciting and as an adventure, knowing that I can have this trust in God. I feel desperately sorry for my friends and colleagues who are entering this uncertain time without this knowledge and peace.
Just as you read this, I would ask for your prayers that God's will be done here and also for my Christian witness and testimony as I share my own security with others.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
13 Comments:
Hmm, after intending just "to quickly wander past" to explain my absence, that turned out into a rather long post! Right then, back to see if that website is back up...
Wow! Tough time for you. :-( I will be praying that everything goes well. I hope the website stops crashing on you!
We're having a shortage of doctors here in America! ;)
You will certainly be in my prayers Keziah. My daughter is in the process of looking for something new so I will pray for both of you. Your heart attitude is right - and I know the Lord will direct your steps.
My husband has been a diabetic for nearly 40 years - so I'm hoping He leads you to a job in that specialty:)
I'll be excited to hear how it all goes. We know it will be for your best.
Oh, what a pain! I do have to say, however, yay for Australia! *wink wink*
Thanks for all your prayers. The application went in yesterday morning just as I finished my night shift.
In a stressful moment on Thursday, while the website was down, I emailed the BBC News to tell them about the farce that was being played out on the computer screens of 28,000 junior doctors. I didn't hear anything back - until last night when a journalist from the BBC phoned me for an interview.
Sadly, it doesn't seem to have made it on to the BBC Website today, although Channel 4 have run the story with other doctors. I'll be sure to let you know if the article appears!
I'll be in touch if I end up needing a job in America or Australia - many jobs around Adelaide, Kirsty? ;-)
The Channel 4 story can be viewed here.
You should work in Hobart Tasmania! Look up "Royal Hobart Hospital".
If I don't get a job here, I'll be sure to consider that, Jonny, but you would all have to promise to be my friends!
We would love for you to come to Hobart, for work. We have a nation wide shortage of Doctors. But regardless of my desires, I pray God will direct your path. Great to hear that the application went through in the end. God Bless :)
Felicity, thank you so much for that encouragement. I find out if I have been shortlisted for any jobs in a couple of weeks, so I might need to get back in touch for advice! Thank you so much for your prayers - you have no idea how much it means that Christian brothers and sisters who have never even met me are praying for me right now.
It seems you are getting quite a lot of unwanted comments. Maybe you should look into a solution for that. http://ariadnetravel.com/
Wow super article. I’ve examine a few other articles inside your weblog and discovered very educational and I understand many point as well from the meaningful posts. casa paradiso
Post a Comment
<< Home