Blog

Dear Allied Health Professional,

 Congratulations on your new career in the field of health and for those of you have not yet graduated, I hope you’re feeling excited about the new semester and your studies.  My name is Catherine Wagner-Russell and I have been working and studying in the health and human services for many years. Starting in 1976 as a high school graduate, I began my educational career with Housatonic Community College. HCC was in the old Singer Sewing Machine on the east side of Bridgeport. The college was housed in one of the factory buildings, probably the administration offices. It is at HCC that I discovered the art of learning and study and I went on to a long educational career.

 I think the job market was easier when I first graduated with a degree in social work from Southern CT State University. I loved my first job, earned very little money-even for those days- and was ready to change the world, even a little bit. Today, competition for employment is difficult despite the need for health care workers. Work hours may be inflexible in health care settings and positions often require multiple job skills as we are required to do more, with less, and faster; everywhere. 

 Health care reform in any size or shape, or no health care reform, is going to have a significant impact on the system as we know it.  Legislative reforms, changing over to electronic medical records, keeping up with the developments in medical technology and caring for demographically changing patient populations all add stress to the work place environment and cultural norms of an organization.

 I’ve had mentors along the way through my career and continue to learn from those all around me. I hope to do the same for those of you are preparing for your first or a new career.  Social networking is the new coffee klatch.  It is a way for people to remain engaged with others of common interests, find and give advice and support with the freedom to communicate when time avails itself.

 I would like to hear from you and create a circle of professional friends to share lessons learned in resolving conflict with co-workers and supervisors; explore the changes of health care reform in your setting and how it impacts your job or the challenges of providing quality health care. Share a rewarding experience and share your career plan dreams and goals. Tell a story.  Ask of question, post a resource or announcement of interest. Belong to a network designed for new allied health professionals.