Returning to work

I will be returning to work this week after 6 weeks off post pm. I am the sole nurse practitioner in a very busy rural health clinic and am very apprehensive. My patients are complicated with multiple medical issues and I am responsible for all clinical decisions, prescriptions, etc. It is also time to do the annual budget, grant renewal, and we are implementing a new EMR. The thought of returning is overwhelming. Did anyone else feel this way after surgery? I have enjoyed my time off and feel good but I haven't had to deal with the demands of a busy practice. Not sure how I will hold up.

8 Comments

Boston

by Bevof NC - 2013-08-05 10:08:37

I'm overwhelmed just reading your note. Sparrow is so right on target. You know your priorities...All you can do is your best. I'll be thinking of you. Let us know how you do. Bev

Work

by Bostonstrong - 2013-08-05 11:08:25

I have a medical assistant and a receptionist. We have had little coverage while I have been off, but a few urgent care NP's have filled in a few hours here and there. Had only planned to be off for 2 weeks but that got extended so the staff is angry about the reduced hours. My Vice Presidents comment prior to surgery was "how much is this going to cost us?" The HR person from the hospital that owns the clinic suggested I call my EP and ask to come back to work sooner. I have been blessed to be surrounded with supportive family and friends while off work but will be going back to some hostility because I took time to get a pm and recover. Serenity prayer, any prayer will help! I need the income and the insurance so I will do my best.

@Don

by Bostonstrong - 2013-08-06 05:08:07

Nope I don't remember any words from my high school graduation or recall the speaker ! So I am happy to read the ones from yours and take them to heart. I have some wonderful patients and have managed the clinic for 12 years so many are like family, with long term relationships of mutual respect and caring. I want to do right by them, many of them are very fragile medically. No room for errors. The community also uses the clinic as the local ER so I need to be prepared for anything. For whatever reason people come to me first with acute MI's, strokes, lacerations, and broken bones instead of heading to the hospital a few towns over. I agree with you on my superiors. But it's not a surprise as every conversation with administrators revolves around money rather than patient safety or comfort. Oh and did I mention I recently took on a second job working part time in urgent care? Friday I will be going to update training there for their EMR. Last year I lost 8 weeks of vacation due to lack of coverage. From now on I am taking my vacations even if it means closing the clinic for a few days. Thanks for your reply, you are pretty wise!

Thanks!

by Bostonstrong - 2013-08-06 08:08:04

Your good wishes are much appreciated. I guess working with my silent partner will be better than when I didn't have it and was repeatedly found on the floor.

Best wishes to you

by kmom - 2013-08-06 08:08:44

I wish you the best as you return to your practice. Just remember you will always have a "silent partner with you" you can do this although you might have to take it a little easier for the first few days/weeks.

That too

by Bostonstrong - 2013-08-06 10:08:31

Gotcha. God is with me in all this. Good reminder.

Boston

by kmom - 2013-08-06 10:08:55

That's not quite what I meant but true too but you always have someone "upstairs" if you know what I mean--what ever that means to you.

It is time...

by donr - 2013-08-06 10:08:58

...to face the music & dance!!!!!

I realize that you had a Devil of a recovery period. I read all your posts & comments before writing this, so have a decent handle on your current state.

Sparrow hit the nail on the head. Slap the Serenity Prayer" up on the wall in front of your desk & just do it! The situation will just get worse w/ time.

Do you remember any of the speech at your HS graduation? Do you even recall who the speaker was?

Well, back before you were born, the CGHS Class of 1954 gathered in the Dade County (FLA) Auditorium & heard our principal, Harry N. Rath, give us our charge. The words that I remember from it are germane to your situation. They were: "...bite off more than you can chew - and chew it..." I recall nothing from any other speech I have heard - I guess this is enough.

It will not get any better than it is right now. Shame on your co-workers for their crass selfishness & self pity over your need to heal - & they are supposedly in the healing business. The superiors are a pair of selfish, short-sighted, self-centered Klutzes, who do not consider the long term consequences of their actions. Instead of asking you to come back early, they should have been asking themselves the question "What are we going to do if she doesn't come back at all?" They never examined the situation from the standpoint of your permanent loss as opposed to a longer temporary loss.

Don

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