Why do I keep doing what I do?

These last few weeks at work have been very stressful. We have started doing moderate complexity lab test for a procedure we now perform at our clinic. That means that we needed to get our lab accredited. It has been a lot of work to get all of the records in order. Then we received notice that we were going to get inspected by COLA.

Now add to the mix one of my nurses telling me she wants to transfer out of our clinic and back to the dialysis clinic. Our clinic has a small team and each team member plays an important role. The loss of one person means extra work for every one else until a replacement can be found and trained. Just to make it more interesting, my lead RT turns in his letter of resignation. Great, the only one of my techs that can scrub the arterial cases that the surgeon feels comfortable with on the table and the most experience.

Did I mention that this last week was also spring break so I have had one or two teammates out each day? I have been at the clinic every morning before 6 and leaving after 5 for the last three weeks. Being in a salaried position means there is nothing extra on the pay check for all of the extra hours. The added stress and extra hours really took a toll on me both physically and mentally. I was starting to think why do I continue doing what I'm doing?

Then we have a follow up visit on a patient that we saw in the clinic for peripheral artery disease. She was not able to walk around the store without having to stop and rest her legs and let the cramping go away. Two weeks ago week did a procedure on her legs and restored blood flow to her lower legs. During the visit she started to cry. The nurse was speaking in Spanish so I didn't understand much of what was said. I thought she was up set over something. The nurse gave her a hug and she started to tear up as well. At this point I really needed to find out what was going on. I was told that she is very happy. For the first time in a long time she was able to go dancing.

And that is why I keep doing what I do.