Change

Though health care is always changing, people who work in it seem to find the process difficult. Not that I think health care providers are alone in finding change a challenge, but it is interesting that people working in these areas continue to work in them, sometimes feeling a lot of anxiety about change knowing that change is inevitable and will be on-going. It's not like say, working as a philosopher, where change might be a little less frequent.

I am in a new position again at work as educator, which is a good change, but of course comes with its' own stress adjusting to a new position, trying to learn a whole new set of skills, changing to non-shift work life (which is more difficult for me than shift work-I like longer shifts with more time off). Happily, this week after 2 weeks in my new role, I thought, 'I like this job!' This may be a new record for me as it takes me a long time to adapt to new things and I stress a lot about having to do new things perfectly. Nevermind that this is impossible.

So, how have I managed to enjoy it when usually I feel a lot more stress at this point in changing work roles/jobs?

I think I have forced myself to do different things even though they stress me out. I have worked on seeing mistakes as learning opportunities-clichéd, but necessary if I am to live with my errors. I have to tried to also admit, recognize when I have screwed up. I really hate doing this, it is terribly uncomfortable for me. Medication helps. Another big part of it is enjoying my area of work-working in the hospital in psychiatry is where I want to be, so switching roles within that environment, still means I am in a field of work that I love. I feel valued with the work I do and I feel that I can promote change, and I can see the change I am promoting! Though it is not without its' struggles, I do see it as benefiting patients in a meaningful way, which really makes me feel pleased.

On that note, a policy change which a group I am a part of, looks like it will be implemented within the whole health region-not just our little corner of it! I feel a huge sense of satisfaction with this-because even though implementing this policy has been stressful at times, it seems that others see it as a useful and patient centred approach!