No

by Rene Barrett Ward

Created on: March 18, 2008

Finding a good job can be a stressful and mentally exhausting experience. Finding a job that you like can be down right impossible! I've always been the type of person who sees the cup as "half full;" however, my life's philosophy was nearly changed when I began a new job at our local hospital. I had already worked for the hospital in a different position on one of the inpatient units. I was an enthusiastic and hard worker, receiving many praises and high progress reports. I had great expectations when I was offered the front desk position in one of our ambulatory clinics. I loved working with the public and this job would offer me ample opportunity to display my skills.

My first day at work was a little overwhelming as I was sat down at the front desk without as much as a tour of the clinic or an introduction to staff members. I had not been warned coming into the job that the position had a high turnover rate. I would soon learn the reason. "I have an entire clinic to run," the supervisor began. "I don't have the time to sit and babysit you. You can watch me register a few patients, and then you can continue on your own." I was taken back a bit by this. I had not been trained for patient registration or any of the other duties that was expected of me. When I interviewed with the clinic, they never asked about my current skills and didn't think to check my resume or application which clearly noted my current abilities. They had focused merely on my reputation. When I explained this to my supervisor, she looked bewildered. "I assumed you already knew how to operate a front desk." I wasn't sure how to respond, but I improvised. "My current computer programs are in-house related. I require the current outpatient programs for this position." I was then told I would have to "work it out" until she could get me into the classes.

Once the Nurse Manager was informed of the mistake, she second guessed her decision to hire me. Not verbally at first, mind you, but her body language and expressions said it all. I had been in the position all of nine days when she finally called me in her office. At first she didn't say a word. This surprised me, because she always came across as being a very verbal, or for better words, obnoxious person. She also thought very highly of herself. She sat back in her chair with her hands folded in front of her. She then leaned towards me and said, "just between you and me, you are not half the person your former boss bragged you would be." I was shocked, and a little embarrassed, but I kept my composure. I explained the misunderstanding and told her I had no doubt I could exceed any expectations she had of me once I was given the proper training. At that moment, I knew she was in her own personal world. She told me that she didn't think I wanted to be there and then proceeded to dial the phone. I thought I would fall on the floor when I realized she had reached the voice mail of my former boss. "I was calling because it has come to my attention that Rene` is not happy in her new position and would like to know if she could return to work with you." As she said this she leaned back in her chair with an unforgettable smirk upon her face. I looked at her with fire in my eyes and told her point blank how unprofessional she was and that she had no right to assume I even wanted my old job back. If I did (and at that moment I really did,) I was quite capable of doing it without her help.

As I began weighing my options for other employment, one of the other employees approached me about the situation. They informed me that our nurse manager had an ample amount of complaints and she was being internally investigated. A few weeks later, the director of the department informed us that our nurse manager was no longer with us and we would be getting a new one. I was ecstatic that justice had been found, but wasn't sure if I could continue on in a situation that had been so negative for me. I thought and prayed about it and then told God that I was handing the situation to Him. Something I should have done from the beginning.

Things immediately turned around. I personally made some calls and got myself into the classes that I needed and took them on my own time. I returned to work with the knowledge that I needed and immediately took control. My new manager saw potential and complimented me on how well I had dealt with such an obviously uncomfortable and unfair situation. It took a long time for me to trust the system again, but I decided to do my best and see where it lead me. About a year later, after the birth of my son, I was promoted to a position in the back of the clinic. I loved the job and it offered me new skills; but I missed working with the patients and interacting in the way I was able to at the front desk.

Not long after I started my new position, my Nurse Manager had a family emergency that kept her out of work for several weeks. Just before that the current supervisor of the front desk had resigned. Without a second thought, I jumped in to help make sure things ran smoothly at the front while maintaining my job in the back. My manager was so impressed that she asked me to apply for the supervisor's role.

I thought long and hard about it. After the way I was treated when I first came, I definitely knew what not to do at the job. I told my manager that I would love the opportunity to be in a position where I can teach and guide others to do their jobs with pride and enthusiasm. I have been in the position for two years now. I can now genuinely say that I love my job!

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