Thread: Finally got the job I went to college for...now what?

Originally Posted by KelJu

Just when I had given up on looking for a better job, one landed in my lap. About a month ago I was sent out to Louisiana to assist a hospital with getting their information systems department up and running. The hospital board decided that their hospital would die in the next 5 years if they didn't get moving on their EMR projects.

So, they purchased a quarter million dollar system from our company which they have no idea how to use. I had to go install it, and get them up and running. It was a tough week. They had no IT staff whatsoever, and I had to try and make a 20 year old infrastructure work. Long story short, I pulled out a flawless victory, and the site was impressed. They offered me a job to come start their IS department.

As far as my industry is concerned, I just fast tracked my career 10 years. The pay is double what I was making. I have no boss other than a board of trusties to answer to. This is a very exciting time for me.

However, I am scared shitless. This is a massive undertaking, and I have the opportunity to show that I can handle a tremendous amount of responsibility. When you are low on the totem poll, all you can think about is making it to the top. Well, I am pretty close to the top, but now I am fearful. I don't start this job for another week, and I am already obsessed with the job. I have so much planned. I am troubleshooting problems that haven't happened. I am going through disaster scenarios so that I will be prepared.

I am scared I will walk in their, unplug one cable, and smoke is going to start coming out of the server. FUCK! I have to learn to deal with stress and pressure at a whole new level.

Nice job man. It sounds like you really care about doing a good job. You can't go wrong. Errors will happen but it sounds like you are prepared.

Originally Posted by KelJu

There is no CIO, but if there were, I would be that guy.
Yes, this hospital is under 100 beds. Also, we only have financial, billing, and insurance modules right now. They hired me to get them fully integrated with radiology, point of care, materials management, and laboratory, Hospital doesn't have a pharmacy, luckily.

good luck dude, thats a heck of an undertaking you have on your hands. good for you. so are you guys using McKesson then, or another vendor like dairyland or CSP? meditech maybe? How has meaningful use effected you guys as a smaller rural hospital?