People that I work with don't believe me when I say that this job is the least stressful job I've ever had. I count my blessings often when I think back to that one night I was just scanning the State website and filled out an on-line application just for grins. I thoroughly enjoy my work, my co-workers, and most of the people I encounter when verifying state/federal regulatory compliance for the > 1200 home health agencies in the Metroplex and surrounding counties.
But over the past three weeks, I've encountered polite but argumentative administrators, irate healthcare consumers, and very challenging agencies by virtue of their size and previous issues maintaining accreditation. In addition, there are many fuzzy issues with healthcare providers and payors.Over the course of 33 years in the healthcare workforce, one may leave the workplace after a full day of work, but the issues one faced during the day are still consuming thoughts. This is true for so many of us. That's been my mental load for the past 2 weeks. I also spend a lot of time driving and that allows me opportunities to muddle through various issues.
There is a nurse who transferred recently from another region and she has been working with me on this current survey. Each morning we meet at a coordination point and she rides with me to the agency. As she drove up alongside me one morning, I was frantically searching my purse for my state cell phone---couldn't find it to save my soul. About 2 miles down the road we could hear it ringing, but couldn't find it. My coworker checked everywhere within reach to no avail. The phone stopped ringing, so I prepared to call the office to tell them to reach me on my private cell for that day. All of a sudden, I remembered that I had put the phone in my right slacks pocket SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO FISH FOR IT IN MY PURSE.
Friday was an all-day Staff Meeting at headquarters here in Arlington. On Fridays, we wear jeans if we plan to be in the office all day. I am chairman of the social committee and part of our responsibility is to plan the luncheons for staff meetings. It was tacos. I was rushing around yesterday morning preparing to load the car with the crockpot, a small cooler for taco meat and my rolling briefcase and rolling crate filled with documents from this survey. I turned off bedroom lights and ceiling fan while sliding my feet into my clogs. I was on my way! People came out to assist bringing everything into the office from my car. As I reached down to release the handles on the crate and briefcase, I noticed that I was wearing one brown shoe and one red shoe! Of course that was hilarious to everyone---and I was reminded of my fashion faux pas all day. Someone even asked if I was really sure that this is the least stressful job I have ever had.
....And it still is!
3 comments:
ha ha
that ha ha was from zack
Goodness gracious, I would have loved to hear the stories of the more stressful jobs,,,,the outfits you must have put together in those days!
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