Re: Job satisfaction in small self contained facilityv.s. larger health care system

Joan,

First: DON'T be intimidated. I suspect you are SIGNIFICANTLY underestimating what your self-taught experience can offer.

One real risk (or opportunity depends on your perspective) I'd caution you -- with experience, you may find yourself formally recruited to take on a leadership role. If not formally, then I'd just about guarantee that the other 3 new folks WILL turn to you as an informal leader.

I've had the personal experience of having a staff member leave (after working with us for 9 months -- her husband unexpectedly relocated). I talked with her extensively, encouraging her to consider approaching the local hospital where she was moving (who did not have a CDI program) and offer to initiate a program. She did not feel she was that good -- I knew otherwise. She did eventually land in a CDI role...and I know has had a key impact on the development of that program to a significantly higher level.

A reasonable amount of experience IMHO goes a TREMENDOUS way!!

I agree there is a potential for tremendous learning. One factor you may not consider, but which is crucial -- you'll already have the knowledge basis & structure to critically capitalize on the learning and training that is offered. You'll find yourself getting 10x as much out of the training as the other 3 CDI's.

I'm not certain whether you might feel prepared to do this (but do it anyway), read the surveys & whitepapers (as well as blog information) from ACDIS on CDI Benchmarking, staffing, programs, etc. and conduct an evaluation of this larger hospital's plans -- are their plans for staffing, etc. reasonable? productivity expectations? does their approach seem best practice? do they have a consultant involved, whom & can you get independent objective insights? Are there strong plans to work with & prepare the medical staff BEFORE implementation?
This will either reassure you, or allow you to decline what might be a messy situation.

However, my bottom line: I believe that with successful prior experience, you will absolutely SHINE!!

Hope this helps.
Don

Donald A. Butler, RN, BSN
Manager, Clinical Documentation
Vidant Medical Center, Greenville NC
DButler@vidanthealth.com ( mailto:mDButler@vidanthealth.com )



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