Going back to school

A little background...
I've been moderating here at PC since day 1. Until I took a 9 month sabbatical around the world last year I was the #1 poster and very actively involved in the site. I've been getting more and more involved since I got home to the US in April.

But....
I'm an ER doctor, will turn 45 next month, and the stress and pressure of being an ER doc full time was taking it's toll on me and my family. A few months ago I had the opportunity to take on a non-clinical roll with the insurance arm of the health system that I work for. It's the first time I've had a desk and an office and a higher roll in any business. I have no business or administrative experience and never took a business course of any kind in college. I'm still working 1/2 time in the ER and 1/2 time with the new job.

So...
Yesterday I learned of an opportunity to enroll in an employer sponsored program at the Missouri State University (MSU) College of Business Administration for a 2 year program that will allow me (and about 20 other physicians and non-physicians from my hospital system) to earn my Masters of Healthcare Administration (MHA) over the next 2 years while permitting me to continue to work full time. The price and convenience were too good to pass up. I think this degree will allow me to do my current job better as well provide options for future opportunities that might otherwise have been closed to me.

Thus...
This is a huge time and energy commitment for me and my family. I will continue to stay on as a moderator here at PC once this program starts in January, but suspect my roll will be markedly reduced, particularly during my on-campus time and prior to exams or when projects are due. Many/most of you couldn't care less and/or won't notice anything different at all. But a few of you who've been around for a long time may notice my absence or lack of regular participation.

 

LOL! Absolutely not, I still love the ED, but after 18 years of increasing pressure and increasing family demands and such I just think it's best to have an exit strategy in mind for the next 5-10 years. If anything, encourage your son to be thinking about the same. Have him get his foot in the door of something non-clinical that he can progressively transition to. Electronic Medical Records stuff is a great area right now, esp. if he has a strong tech background. There's no substitute for having a clinician who can also help develop applications that will be put to use in a clinical setting.

I just wish I'd have been smart enough to have plan like that 5 or 10 years ago, but I'm fortunate to have this new opportunity that allows me to continue working in the clinical setting with some non-clinical reprieve.

And I'll still be around folks--may just hit that 20K number in the next few months even, but I'm just not sure I'll be able to keep up with the plethora of posts we're anticipating once the c and PIP launch. and you know there'll be stirrings about the Gen IV starting pretty soon after that!