Pie in the Sky

I’m an idealist, always have been. More than anything, I want to make people’s lives better. It’s a big goal, but how do I do it?

When I started looking for my first job in 2008, I only considered applying at nonprofits. After many long hours spent replying to job listings, I got zero replies to my applications, but I needed a job — and quick — to keep paying rent. As many do, I turned to a temp agency so I could gain some real-world experience and maybe get placed in a job.

My First Job and My Big Heartache

My first interview was for a role as an education and exhibit coordinator for the Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice. After my probation period, I was hired full time, and guess what? TAHC&H is a nonprofit. Somehow, the universe was listening.

While I had accomplished my first task of working at a nonprofit, I was emotionally crushed. How does planning educational events and selling sponsorships and exhibits help people? As I look back 16 years later, I wish I could scream the answer to my younger self. Even so, I truly couldn’t see it.

I had to learn about ANCC nursing continuing professional development requirements, program development, working with healthcare faculty, producing educational events and — on the non-CPD side of my job — doing sales and event management. In my mind, it wasn’t even what I wanted to be doing. I needed to make the world a better place, as soon as possible!

Maybe We Can Reframe This

Fast forward 16 years, and I’m still working as a healthcare educational program and project director. I’ve grown in so many unexpected and wonderful ways both professionally and personally. But the most important lesson? I can and do make my corner of the world better. Maybe if I was an elected official, or a CEO, or a billionaire (yes, please!) — maybe I could do more? But, then again, my work has touched so many, and I’m sure yours, dear readers, has as well.

At my current job, my team and I have grown our learners from 2,000 to 32,000. Our education portfolio has grown from eight activities to 150. The revenue from those activities has helped grow our staff. While what I do is technical and sometimes hidden, my work makes a difference to our learners, their patients and the health of our communities.

While the path was unclear, I got there: I always was there. And I got there through continuing professional development for healthcare professionals. Who knew?

In my career, I’ve directly contributed to the education of 150,000 healthcare professionals. If the educational interventions impacted only 10 patients per learner, the reach of that education on patients could conservatively be calculated as 1.5 million lives improved. For you idealists out there, take heart. Your hard-earned CPD skills build bridges to brighter tomorrows.