Just Released - Ahsirt's Country Songs

Yesterday ended my 5 day straight streak at work. I turned in 30 minutes of comp time so that I could be on my way to Little Orleans by 4. I brought a change of clothes so I didn't drag VA germs to my honey's house. When I waved goodbye to my coworkers, Cathy asked why I had changed my clothes. I told her that I didn't want to wear my scruffy scrubs to Jamie's house. She laughed and said, "Oh, so it's ok for you guys to share spit, but not MRSA?" Pretty catchy line... She then told me that this whole situation was a country song waiting to be penned. Here are some song titles we came up with before I left:

"I Think You're Scruffy Scrubs are Sexy"
"I Want Your C. Diff"
"When I Get Your MRSA"
"Pick-Up Trucks and the Flu"
"There's Something About a Pharmacist"

The Discontent of Ahsirt

The past couple weeks have been rather stressful. Each day I grow more and more discontent with my position at my current job. I'm tired of the lack of respect. I'm tired of the lies about potential. This week my discontent was culminated with a summons to "the office." I was informed that my attitude needed adjusted and that I needed to be a team player. Holy cow! I've always thought of myself as a huge team player. The ironic part - just the evening before our evening pharmacist sent an email to my supervisor requesting 30 minutes comp time for me for staying to help her get caught up. And I'm not a team player...

My getting summoned to the office was a result of my expressing discontent with our new ADDS machine policy. This particular machine is not located in our hospital - it is in fact located 35 minutes away in a clinic...a clinic staffed with a pharmacist. I was told that this pharmacist doesn't have to finish orders because of her "clinical" status. I was then informed that I am a staff pharmacist and therefore must finish the order. It was at this junction that I was fed up. I informed progam analyst (note - this person insulting my intelligence wasn't even a pharmacist) that I found her comments offensive. I informed her that I have Doctor of Pharmacy attached to my name and that I'm residency trained - thus insinuating that I'm a grunt is a bit offensive. I also informed her that it was insulting to the other pharmacists on our team who have been doing clinical work for 20 years without compensation or recognition. She then ran and told "The Chief" that I wasn't playing nice. The next morning I was summoned for an attitude adjustment. I promptly informed my direct supervisor of this summons - and I received an apology for the summons. I'm sick of the bullshit.

And then there was a glimmer of hope - sent in the form of an email from a former professor. My alma mater is currently recruiting for an Inpatient Acute faculty member. I went to my direct supervisor's office and asked for a letter of recommendation for my application. He begrudginly agreed - he also promised to try to fix the things that are causing my discontent. I told him that he couldn't fix them - some things are beyond repair.

So...who would've thought that I would be considering switching to academia? I certainly wouldn't have dreamed it. I've been batting it around in my head and I've decided I am applying for the position. It's time for change. The season of malcontent is over. Whether I actually get the position or not, I will have grown from this process. Mainly, I will know that I have the strength to empower change in my life. Bring it on. :)