It’s Been a While… I started this blog seven years ago in front of a keyboard in scrubs in an office no bigger than a closet without a window outside a PACU.
When I put those first words to paper, I wanted to reach out to nurses like me who were dealing with the challenges of managing surgery centers. I didn’t see that we had any true peer support in the ASC world. I wanted to reach out and share some of the lessons I had learned and things that worked for me in facing the daily challenges in managing our centers in a practical way.
Once the pandemic hit, I stopped writing. I honestly didn’t know what to say. I felt guilty since I was no longer shoulder to shoulder with you.
What all of you were facing seemed so heavy, I didn’t know what I could add to support you during these daily challenges – so I remained silent. I had no words of wisdom – no sage advice – nothing of value to provide. I wrote nothing, during the time you probably needed the most support.
Since I started the blog, I have gone from ASC leadership to managing my own company, where I now provide support to ASCs through consulting, education, and resources. I am so grateful for the opportunities that I have been provided, but I am no longer on the front lines.
I kept thinking about an incident during my first job as an Emergency Department nurse. We got a call that several school buses had hit each other, so they were treating it as a mass casualty event. All of a sudden, Admin nurses in suits with clipboards, showed up and lined up at the front door to help triage. I had never seen any of them before – where were they when we often worked without breaks and overtime. It felt ridiculous and insulting.
With the pandemic, I didn’t want to be seen as one of the suit nurses with the clipboards.
What I’ve wanted to say to you all throughout all these long months is: I’m sorry.
I know you are probably more tired, more stressed, and don’t cope as well as you used to. I know that you are struggling to find staff, supplies, and everything in between, yet you are still held accountable for all the same stuff – the quality of care, the daily operations, the regulatory requirements, the budget, and all the rest.
What I have longed to say is this: Thank You!
Thank you for the long days, sleepless nights, organization, time, and accountability. Thank you for your talent, smarts, and commitment. You bring value and quality of life to people each and every day.
Reach out to me if you need a mentor anytime. I’ll put on my virtual scrubs, put down my clipboard, and do better to support you.