I am a healthcare provider and have been running a solo practice for almost 3 years, in a semi rural area... It's been very hard work, but our client volume has tripled IN 3 YEARS, and new clients are coming all the time. WE have abysmal tech support and abysmal everything else, but we offer outstanding service. Outstanding human and clinical service.
However, the larger company--which oversees this clinic--now has a new CEO and this individual is insisting upon an expansion. the company has a grant to fund this, due to rural location... The new CEO has placed another employee (with ZERO experience in this field) to oversee the "expansion" and this is profoundly disastrous. They are doing everything wrong but with federal grant money, they are forging ahead--(no strategic plan, no understanding of what is needed to grow the service--nada). I am not invited to any planning meetings, my input is not accepted or valued whatsoever. CEO does not answer any of my emails or requests for meeting or support. Literally NADA. I am a fly on the wall...though I still work 45 hours/week, doing it all alone.
The stress is overwhelming. The market (to find a new job) is poor. I've reached out to HR and they are powerless to do anything. They SEE the issues; they acknowledge the managerial disaster. They acknowledge that the CEO is - rude and disinterested. They cannot effect any change for me. (one HR officer basically told me to quit, because "they don't care, and they won't see it until you are gone")
And so, I am very seriously thinking of giving my notice. I can do nothing more; the direction they are heading is a complete disaster, and I am being asked to "join" in this disaster... This will be an utter disaster in every way (more than I can explain here, without providing obvious details). But how can I wrap my head (and heart) around a situation with no possible good outcome? Where clients count on me in this underserved area?? How do I leave? The market is poor right now and this area is profoundly limited. I have no pending job offers (been looking for a year; considering doing travel work for now). I don't want gaps in my resume. How do you explain leaving a position at this level without another offer in hand? (PS: I am a specialty provider)
SOS.
14 Comments
14 Comments
Anonymous
02/14/21 at 4:56PM UTC
As a healthcare operations worker - I’d just say that you left due to restructuring and your skills didn’t fit the re-org. As a rural healthcare specialist, your skills sound like heaven and you deserve to thrive.
I’ve been in healthcare for 20 years and about every 5 years I run into an incompetent administrator who gets mad at me for not buying into their bullshit. That’s when I get to make a move and get some new skills. I finally landed a good position at a spot where they embrace my goofy and let me build equitable operations (education & systems) even though I still have colleagues that push back on me, I know to stick to my guns as long as I am producing results.
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1 Reply
User deleted comment on 02/14/21 at 5:04PM UTC
Anonymous
02/14/21 at 11:35PM UTC
thank you; sadly, even though Im outproducing any previous provider in this rural pocket (the last 6 providers before me all stayed less than one year)...even though I've grown this outreach in ways they never knew were possible, I am not permitted to speak up about what is needed to grow. I'm not invited to the "discussion" about expansion--I cannot refute, suggest, or anything... I've been told that I'm not being "team player" (by the CEO) when I suggest that any aspect of their plan is not feasible (which it's not; I know my business). I guess my only answer is to leave...
Reply
Pat Roque
315
Speaker, Career Transformation Coach, Mastermind
02/14/21 at 6:40PM UTC
Sorry it’s so frustrating but you’re doing your best. I’d worry less about what leaving looks like in your Résumé by focusing on growing into a better role. (We can address the resignation semantics later, no problem.)
There are lots of opportunities for healthcare providers with remote work, in other facets of care, agency or Pharma MSL or other roles.
I promise the world needs your genius, but perhaps this awful situation will be the nudge that will propel you to an even better next chapter!
Have you taken a look at your transferable skills? Thought about other kinds of roles ? I just taught a workshop in hc on this very topic, so it’s timely and there may be great options for you despite your remote location.
That’s one added side effect of the pandemic that may play out in your favor.
Lmk if any questions, good luck and God bless you for your service.
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1 Reply
Anonymous
02/14/21 at 11:37PM UTC
thank you for your kind words and encouragement. agree about transferable skills; I just love patient care!
Reply
Emily Hirsch Katz
27
02/17/21 at 4:11PM UTC
This sounds like a really tough work environment. I would recommend doing an exercise where you imagine how you'll feel if you resign at different moments in time- 1 day after you resign, 2 weeks, a month, three months, etc. Depending on your financial stability, it also might make sense to start reaching out to remote providers and see if there are any openings (I imagine there are) before giving notice so that you have a better sense of what's out there. But I am sure you will find another job that treats you well!
1 Reply
Anonymous
02/20/21 at 2:30PM UTC
you are correct. I cannot see myself here by summer 2021. I'm looking for the best escape hatch. Wondering if my feelings of extreme burnout (like, don't even want to do this work anymore) are normal...or not. I'm lost in a sea of stress, confusion, overload and no way out. I'm normally not a depressive individual; in fact, my upbeat attitude and love for our patients has sustained me far longer than others, I believe. (I was told, when I started, that they could never keep a provider for more than 10 mos over a 7 year span-- so rebuilding client trust has been huge). thank you for your kind remarks.
Reply
Maree Frakes
48
Program Management Professional in NYC
02/17/21 at 4:13PM UTC
While it's difficult, I would worry less about letting down people in your area in need of your help, and more about what you need to be able to do the best job possible. I understand there is guilt there, but you've got to look out for yourself and your own best interests (especially seeing as it doesn't sound like the company you're with is doing that for you).
As for a gap in the resume, I wouldn't concern yourself too much with that right now. A lot of folks have had to stop work or have lost their jobs during the pandemic. As a result, I've found hiring managers to be less concerned with gaps than they typically would be.
If you can financially afford to leave without another offer in hand, this will also provide you with more time to look for work and/or gain new skills via classes/workshops etc
1 Reply
Farah Bajwa
217
Manager | Mentor | Consultant | Coach
02/17/21 at 8:13PM UTC
Agree that gaps are a non-issue. Aside from the fact that now due to COVID companies are more understanding about them, I discovered all hiring mangers want is an honest answer about the gap. My biggest gap was 23 months (predating COVID by 1 year). When asked why - I said I was laid off because the company relocated out of state and that company culture was something that was important to me so I taking my time to find that. And, that in the mean time, since I was a manger, I was taking classes to sharpen my skills and make me an even better manager. That answer was perfectly acceptable to everyone I spoke with, and if it wasn't - then that was probably not a good place for me to work at anyways.
Reply
Gretchen O
80
communications specialist in DC area
02/17/21 at 4:57PM UTC
It sounds like you need to care for yourself right now.
I agree that a resume gap is explainable and less of a concern than your mental health and happiness.
Best of luck.
Reply
Kelli
1.3k
I help you go from STUCK TO FULFILLED
02/17/21 at 6:34PM UTC
It is definitely time to leave. I would suggest taking a step back to determine what makes sense for you moving forward. Look at this as an opportunity to take your gifts/zone of genius somewhere else...where you can affect real change without the barriers. It doesn't look like your situation will change anytime soon unless you are the one doing the changing. I know it's scary but will be the best move you can make. I'm happy to chat more offline about this if it would help. Feel free to message me.
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LORI NAREWSKI
14
Marketing manager and encourager
02/17/21 at 6:52PM UTC
I agree with all the great suggestions already provided. Regardless of the final decision you end up making - staying or leaving - you need to also focus on keeping yourself healthy while you are currently employed there. Look at what you truly can control and put your energy into those areas. For what you have no control over, try to let go of those area (as much as it is difficult to do). Another recommendation would be to speak with a counselor or therapist who can give you different strategies for dealing with the stress you are in right now and help you determine a plan on how to get out. Best of luck.
1 Reply
Anonymous
02/20/21 at 2:32PM UTC
agree. the problem is that i have 100% liability, but 0% control right now. it's an awful situation. and CEO/management has NO UNDERSTANDING of this work at all. I am powerless to effect positive or any change. I suppose that's my greatest stressor (thanks for letting me type that!)...
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Jennifer Haje
201
Consultant for IT, Social Media, CCMA
02/19/21 at 4:33PM UTC
I would take a step back and think about it before you resign. Make a pros and cons list. Also, take in account of your well being.
Reply
Karisa Karmali
737
Founder of Self-Love and Fitness
02/23/21 at 11:08PM UTC
Do what is best for you, but keep an income while making that decision.
Reply
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