[*Anya*]

Originally Posted by Chancie

What have you set out to accomplish?

How will you know when you have been successful?

When I first became an RN, my goal was simply to help people. From bedside nursing, I worked my way up the ladder to charge nurse, to nurse manager, to Director of QI/Risk Management and Utilization Management. Finally, a DON.

I got sick of the politics and bullshit one has to wade through in the upper levels of management, left and went back to seeing patients again in home health and finally, case management.

I remained in case management, working with clients, for the last 12 years. It was easy, low stress, productive, satisfying and rewarding to help those with chronic physical and mental illnesses.

Out of the blue, I was offered a position back in management and I was seduced by the money. I think about retiring in 5 years and know the increase will help a lot toward that end. It is a heck of a lot of work and the company is very disorganized compared to where I came from. I feel a little like a fish out of water.

I had already felt like I had achieved success and accomplishment in my career. I am beginning to worry that at this point in my life, with the hellish year I have had-physically and mentally-I may have finally bitten off more than I can or want to chew.

The jury is still out for me as to the soundness of my decision.