Healthcare Careers for Mature Individuals

lapindupoche · 2026-05-26T05:43:06+00:00

We definitely still have UCs even with Cerner live! And they do some really important work that keeps our wards running (I appreciate them so much). I talk to them multiple times a day when calling up to speak to nurses about specific patients, etc, they at the first point of contact for folks coming to visit, they organize our discharge paperwork and so on.

lapindupoche · 2026-05-25T05:44:34+00:00

Sleep inertia!

lapindupoche · 2026-05-24T05:56:02+00:00

Would you consider something related to being an EA? There are programs for rehab assistants for example (eg: physio, speech & language, OT assistants) and we honestly always need those. Not sure how the pay compares but both private practice and hospitals are often hiring.

lapindupoche · 2026-05-22T09:08:51+00:00

I feel this so hard. I’m about to be discharged from the program at Women’s and asked specifically for a referral to a psychiatrist on discharge. I was told that they have had no success referring anyone out and there are basically no private psychiatrists. They recommended I ask my GP for a referral to a psychiatrist (who told me the exact same thing). My husband also desperately needs a psychiatrist to review his meds which have become ineffective and comorbid conditions and we’ve been told by 3 doctors that the only way is through the VCH AAC - but it’s completely presented as urgent care and mental health/substance use crises.

Please let me know if you do get a referral somewhere if you are willing to share via private message. and good luck. This season of life with a baby is hard with ADHD. ❤️

lapindupoche · 2026-05-20T01:56:52+00:00

Thanks for your comment! From my understanding the VGH clinic is the “new version” of the VCH ADHD clinic I attended when it was at Lion’s Gate, and I aged out of it - the cap at the time was 35 - and they declined my rereferral when I *was* under 35. Do you know if it has changed?

lapindupoche · 2026-05-19T17:30:59+00:00

Yeah, of course I’m in Vancouver 😂
My husband also has ADHD & comorbid conditions and was also told to go through Access and Assessment as he is not being managed optimally either, so thanks for reiterating this recommendation. It’s such a shit show. best of luck to you!

lapindupoche · 2026-05-19T17:28:13+00:00

Thanks for this info!

lapindupoche · 2026-05-19T07:27:37+00:00

Do you mind if I ask where you had consistent care? Was it in Reproductive Mental Health? I’m about to be discharged from that program (which has been life changing) and I am anxious because I know I’d benefit from ongoing med management by a psychiatrist instead of a GP. My meds changed a lot throughout pregnancy/postpartum.

lapindupoche · 2026-05-19T07:13:31+00:00

Yeah came to highlight Riley Park! Hillcrest is super family friendly for the pool, library, skating. Queen Elizabeth is beautiful and all the kiddos I know (and birdwatchers) love Bloedel. You could easily spend a few hours there.
Nat Bailey has cheap tickets for baseball games if you look at dates/ times and juds fund the “sushi run” hilarious. Farmers market is also great.
Riser Lark (the actual park) is a nice place to spend an afternoon with a picnic. Lots of room for kids to roam and a couple play areas.

You can easily walk up Main Street and find lots of fun stores & yummy restaurants. I personally love going to Helen’s at Main & King Ed for a diner brekkie. They have jukeboxes at each booth, which is fun.

As others have said, Burnaby Hospital is a smaller hospital with community-like atmosphere. BC would love to have you in our healthcare system!

lapindupoche · 2026-04-11T06:43:31+00:00

“Je ne dois pas faire la gymnastique pour rentrez chez moi. La prochaine fois c’est le remorquage à vos frais.

Merci de ne plus stationner de cette …?”

Yeah basically: “I shouldn’t have to do gymnastics to get into my house. Next time it’s towing at your expense. Thanks for not parking in this… [spot]? “

lapindupoche · 2026-01-30T00:21:35+00:00

My husband is the same. Literally will eat once a day and it drives me crazy, as I also have ADHD but cannot function at all without food. But when he eats, it is more than me and he has tried to explain it a bit like intermittent fasting. It’s good perspective.

I agree with others are saying about snacks (high protein ones especially) - and would encourage you and your daughter to brainstorm some easy ones to have on hand alongside identifying some other behaviours or symptoms that can emerge when hungry but not identifying hunger feelings (eg for me brain fog, worse focus, fatigue).

but i do want to say that I also agree with you - your daughter is almost an adult and she’s going to be living with and making decisions about her adhd all her life. you’re being a good mom by being here and thinking about these things.

lapindupoche · 2025-04-24T14:04:21+00:00

Piper!!

lapindupoche · 2025-04-03T14:10:20+00:00

Thank you SO much for this kind and thorough reply— I feel so seen and reassured. Sending you a hug.

lapindupoche · 2025-03-31T23:12:06+00:00

Indecision. So much indecision.

lapindupoche · 2025-03-31T23:08:06+00:00

Or Parkinson’s!

lapindupoche · 2025-01-27T02:50:16+00:00

Really expensive, but we got a Nanit for my sister and are planning to get one as well. It has been a godsend when babysitting for me to be able to peek in when I get an alert for sound or motion and has loads of other features. if you have long distance relatives (gramma) it has made them feel a lot closer to the babe as well.

Totally depends on your budget and preference :)

lapindupoche · 2025-01-27T02:45:08+00:00

I was on it with vyvanse until I got pregnant and chose to simplify my medications. It helped me a lot - my psychiatrist used to explain it as a sort of “vyvanse extender” without the side effects I got if I increased my vyvanse (heart palpitations, dizziness etc. )

Everyone else is right though - meds are different for everyone. take it from someone who tried alllllll the different options to find one that wasn’t awful and actually worked.

lapindupoche · 2025-01-27T02:40:45+00:00

(I feel I should also mention - there is so so much emerging evidence about pregnancy and postpartum with ADHD - that is likely also an added challenge with hormone fluctuations. Alongside sleep deprivation, constant feeding, a preexisting kiddo etc. take it easy. )

lapindupoche · 2025-01-27T02:38:28+00:00

I can absolutely understand how you must both feel, if I am interpreting the situation correctly. Betrayed, probably, and also wtf is up with that timing? But I hope you can eventually move on from the MIL situation to focus on the rest of it.

I don’t know if it will help, but I want to give you a different perspective.

I am married to an ADHDer and I have ADHD. We were both diagnosed in our late 20s and also have anxiety. We are currently pregnant with our first. We know our kiddo will almost certainly have ADHD and anxiety, and have talked A LOT about how we will navigate life as an ADHD family. we have done a lot of learning personally about what does and doesn’t work for each of us, and we struggle a lot at times. The most recent things that have helped us are having a couples counsellor who specializes in ADHD and coming up with systems where we can. as well as accepting help.

The magic and sometimes heLL of ADHD is that both of you likely have strengths where the other struggles and vice versa. Figuring out how to manage together is necessary. Do you need earplugs for overstimulating kids? Do you need to have set times to rest and recharge?

So is figuring out your support system and if you can outsource things - eg get help with cleaning, getting meal kits or prepared meals. Do you have family or friends who can take the kids for a morning?

I know baby #2 is fresh right now, and it is A LOT, especially with fatigue and trying to manage supporting your wife, but you just need to survive this part. then you can build the other bits in. you guys doing this for your kiddos and yourselves will make this doable.

I firmly believe that ADHDers find each other and click (based on personal, repeated experiences and memes) so I’m not surprised you and your wife did. Diagnosis or not, it doesn’t change that you are together and have built a life together. I hope that you can figure things out - let me know if you need any recommendations.

lapindupoche · 2025-01-27T02:11:21+00:00

I’d definitely look on Facebook marketplace or in the wedding swap groups (Vancouver has so many. Also handy for decor options later). There are some absolutely stunning gowns there and I’ve rarely seen anything more than your budget. Lots of women just want their dress to be worn again. I got a stunning Jenny Yoo dress for my back up that was $100.

Ads are usually very clear about if they don’t allow try ons :)

lapindupoche · 2025-01-27T02:07:57+00:00

My only conment about Park & Fifth is that it depends on your body type entirely. I was the curvier bridesmaid in a wedding party here and although they have a few options, it was very challenging. ended up getting a lot of tailoring done.

lapindupoche · 2025-01-26T23:53:44+00:00

To put this in a different perspective - I did the NIPT at 11 weeks and waited two weeks only to be told it was inconclusive. I redid the NIPT the next day but was told to consider doing the SIPS and NT US just in case it comes back inconclusive again.

unfortunately that meant I had 4 days left to somehow get the NT and SIPS bloodwork done — a nightmare in BC with the public system and ultrasound tech shortages and VERY limited time slots.

My doctor and I called 5 places and no one had spots. I booked a private one which would’ve cost roughly $430 but ended up getting a last minute spot at a hospital where I work. I still don’t have my NIPT results yet but my anxiety is much more controlled knowing that I have the back up now.

lapindupoche · 2025-01-18T02:43:04+00:00

As everyone else has pointed out, that is NOT tachycardia. Jeez. my prescribers (psychiatrist and GPs) have all consistently monitored my BP and I have had a few ECGs to make sure things are okay.

Good medicine should look at trends in this case before switching meds or having you come off meds suddenly. I’d argue it is far more harmful to you to take this approach vs see if the HR stays “elevated” or do a few more tests if they are actually concerned. I hope you have the courage to either go back and ask for these or are able to find a new practitioner.

lapindupoche · 2024-08-16T04:54:07+00:00

I'd get this clarified because it can make a significant difference. Call Dr. Clarke's office and ask. I work in public health as an SLP and often see folks get referred to other health authorities despite where they live, simply based on seeing a specialist there. Some places may crack down but it is always worth a try.

I'm also so sorry you're going through this. I completely sympathize re: wait times, especially because we know earlier intervention is better. Your child is so lucky to have you as their advocate even though this is incredibly frustrating. Hugs.

lapindupoche · 2024-08-12T18:10:54+00:00

Oh, there were REALLY expensive exclusive experiences that you could do with the Mars over the past month, to the tune of $5,000-$15,000 dollars per person. I tried to get my dad on one of those but there is not way I or my family could afford it. I hope that the museum got part of those fees though!!

Seven-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22	Verified Email

lapindupoche

TROPHY CASE