Happy 2023 everyone! It’s been a while since I posted a blog but between the holidays and preparing for the New Year, life got hectic! I am sure you can share the sentiment. So it’s officially 1 year post-sabbatical, and things are great. I have never been happier and healthier mentally and physically. Of course, there are things that could be better because such is life. Yet there is such beauty in being grateful for the little things in life and doing the things you enjoy.
In my month 9-month sabbatical, and within the past 3 months of working full time, I have learned so much about myself. I know what REST truly feels like. I have healthy boundaries around work, give myself grace all of the time, and only do things that I enjoy! I know it sounds like a fairytale, but that’s truly how I feel right now! Even my friends make fun of me as I seem happy all of the time and no longer just commiserate in misery or venting sessions on things that we can actually change.
So here is what has been going on…
Consulting
During my sabbatical, I discovered that while I love being a pediatric nurse, nurse practitioner, and leader, I was no longer excited about medicine. When I say medicine, I mean anatomy and physiology. Each day, I used to be excited to learn some new diagnosis, treatment, or presentation of a common disease, especially in the Emergency Department. It’s like the lightbulb went out. As much, as I tried to turn it back on, it would not work. It was scary! The thing that I loved to do and had been my identity for 18 years wasn’t it anymore. What was I going to do?!
Yet, I realized that in my manager role, I loved advocating and mentoring my team members. I enjoyed creating systems that allowed teams to do their best work. I was highly focused on developing a culture that supported nurses and their well-being. With this in mind, I looked for positions solely focused on nurses and their well-being. I read as many articles as possible and attended free webinars to learn more about what was occurring on the national platform.
Within a few months, a startup tech company found me. Their company was going to focus on anticipating burnout in specific areas of the hospital as opposed to focusing on how to fix it when it occurs. They were starting from scratch and using innovation and technology to anticipate burnout and needed a nurse with my experience and skill set on their team. This role was perfect for ME! I love to start from scratch and figure things out. Literally, it was the perfect role for me. It was allowing me to use my nursing skill sets, focus on the topic that I was passionate about, and allowed me to work from anywhere with compensation that reflected my worth! We have been working together for 3 months, and it’s still great as we get ready to kick into a higher gear.
Innovation in Nursing
I have an app! I promise I will share the major details of this development in my next blog post. For now, here is the short version. Four years ago, I was challenged by the way that we renew our nursing licenses and certifications and figured there must be a better way. I brainstormed that if there were an app, it would make life so much easier. My Co-Founder, Dr. Raj Iyer was experiencing the same frustrations with renewals as the nurses.
Together, we created TrackCE, a digital wallet for doctors and nurses. It allows nurses and doctors to track their continuing education needs for each of their state licenses. Since April 2022, it has been on the Apple Store for free. We now have over 75 users. We are currently obtaining feedback on the app to make sure it is useful to nurses and doctors and hope to roll out the next version later this year.
The Nurse Sabbatical
I started blogging last year because I wanted to share my story. I felt like I was the only person standing up in the middle of the auditorium screaming
“This is not ok! Why are we working like this??!!”
While all my peers seemed content and accepted things the way they were. However, over the course of the year, I have inspired people to take time off from work, take sabbaticals, chase dreams, and reimagine their careers. While I thought I would just blog and go back to a regular 9-5, I realize my purpose is a bit different.
You may be thinking Amy.. you are doing a lot! How are you not burning out again?! It’s my sabbatical. I re-wired my hard drive. Yes, I talk a bit of tech but it’s true. I had to unlearn ideas and bad habits. I always thought that I had to work hard to prove myself, to be successful, and titles will prove my worth to others, blah blah. Not anymore! My life is more than any job, role, or title. It’s about knowing what you are put on this earth and getting on with doing it in the words of Oprah says.
I no longer subscribe to the idea of “work hard and play harder.”
I work when I am well rested and at times I do my best thinking. And I rest when I need to. I have healthy boundaries with email and meetings. I exercise regularly and eat as cleanly as possible. I ONLY do work that my spirit is excited about.
I know this blog is not for anyone but if any of this resonates with you… you are not alone.
sabbaticals and pivots
This year, I want to help you! Yes, you! All nurses are tired, exhausted, and ready to quit. I want to help you create your own sabbatical, prioritize your self-care, and support the pivot of your career to a place where you are fulfilled, and your work brings you joy. I will be starting a small group coaching program at the end of February. If any of this sounds like you, feel free to leave a comment below, email me, or find me on social media for information.
I am so excited for 2023 and what’s in store. I hope that you are enjoying the year thus far and that my story inspires you to rest and chase your dreams in 2023.