For the Fall I originally wanted to go back to the West Coast. Yet, I realized that I needed to be home several times for holidays, trips, and other festivities. So being on the west coast wouldn’t be ideal because of the distance.
The medical director from a site I used to work at in Virginia reached out to me asking if I could help in the fall. I originally was going to say no, because it was at a different clinic than I was at previously, so I wouldn’t even be able to see my old patients. When I thought about it more, I thought it was probably best that it was at a new clinic so I wouldn’t get attached to my patients again.
In addition, Virginia is a 2 hour flight from Miami and on the same time zone, making it pretty convenient to go home frequently. The site is also typically accepting of my time off – and knowing I would be taking almost 3.5 weeks off during that 3 month assignment, I figured it would be a good idea to work in Virginia after all.
I ended up doing a brief orientation again because it had been over 9 months since I worked with the company last. Fortunately, the EHR and work flow came back to me easily. On a positive note, the nursing staff and medical assistants at this clinic are all cordial and hard working. The patients are pleasant too. I do have to admit my first week was challenging emotionally. Although I knew some of the other providers from before (not well), I felt alone. Everyone I was previously close to was at the other clinic. I cheered up once I was able to meet up with everyone after work or on the weekend.
I know I have to give the new clinic a chance, and there is really nothing wrong with it. But obviously my old clinic has my heart since I was there for one year. I am still able to see how my old patients are doing when we have our monthly provider’s meeting. And I have even seen some of them around town :).
Side note: my first day working, the medical director already asked me to extend. Here we go again…..
