I was thinking today. I have been using a computer in my work for almost 30 years now. I guess I thought about it because we are in the throes of a software upgrade at work...

Monday is the “go live” day, but certain information needs to be in the database before then, like tomorrow. And wouldn't you know it, I am the lead nurse at work this weekend. And I'm sorta getting it, too....the program, I mean.

Mostly, today I have been a cheerleader. New program, new software, old habits....GO TEAM! You can do it!

Or not...

It always amazes me how influential attitude can be. If I look at something as an opportunity, instead of as a management plot to undermine my serenity, well, I do much better with it. I have found some things today that I want our IT person to look at, and maybe tweak, if she can. But for the most part, it works, and is almost intuitive. Almost, but not quite.

We have come a long way at work. When I started this job, an office assistant was in charge of our patient visit schedules. Being very human, she was always more willing to help her friends than her enemies. And so, it was always a good idea to remain friendly with her.

We underwent a reorganization, and a novel concept emerged: assign the registered nurses to be case managers and give them a group of patients to manage. In addition, continuity of care became our mantra: have the same nurse make the scheduled visits to the same patients, as much as possible.

Patients liked it....the nurses liked it.

And the Schedule Board was born. A cork board, approximately 4 feet tall by 6 feet wide, in the far corner of the office. Many impromptu meetings have been held in front of that board. Many discussions, some heated, most not, have been held in front of that board. Many hours and countless erasers have been wasted at that board.

And now? It's blank. There is nothing on it. No papers, no assignments, nothing. As lead nurse this weekend, I had the papers....the ones with everyone's assignments on them. I hid them, in a folder, in front of me.

One by one, each of the nurses came in to work. One by one, they walked over to the board to see their assignments. And saw that the board was blank. Each groused about change, and then each found her schedule in her laptop, under the menu item “Employee Schedule.” Hmmm....maybe we should have called it “Don't Look Here...”

Then each nurse, after gathering information and supplies, and making telephone calls, went out to see her patients. Armed with cheat sheets, and unnerved by the thought of change, each nurse knew she could handle whatever patient problems presented themselves. Each nurse dreaded only the new software they have to use to schedule the patient's visits.

And each nurse shared her concerns with me, and I explained the process, individually and multiple times....throughout the day. “Well how will I …...?” seemed to start every question. “What if....?” followed every answer I shared.

And now, I need to get ready for tomorrow. I have decided to do something with that empty cork board: I am going to post this cartoon up there tomorrow.

At least we can laugh about it, right?

Cali