Work is work, no matter who you are or where you live. But loving your work is the secret sauce that keeps an enjoyable career from becoming a dreadful and anxiety provoking slog. Healthcare workers have similar, but slightly different work-related stressors than those outside of the medical field. Some may say it is a terribly amplified pressure in comparison.
Healthcare workers have attendance, expectations, and deadlines just as the rest of the workforce, but the weighty burden of our stress as healthcare workers does not develop from that. Instead, it grows from the very tangible responsibility of caring for other people and for their bodies. Healthcare workers have a high calling to compassion, empathy, support, intelligence, and resourcefulness. We healthcare workers, from medical technicians, respiratory therapists, nurses, and doctors, are all here to bring you in and help figure out, diagnose, treat, and alleviate your pain, suffering and uncertainty.
As a physician, I see the world in a very concrete and analytical way. As a mom, I see the world through the lens of birth, growth, provision, and connection. I have a huge heart for my patients, young and old. I have shared experiences as a mom with many women who come to me for help in the Emergency Department. I struggle balancing work with parenting, homework, dinner, sporting practice and tutoring. When I take care of people, I bring not only my clinical knowledge and expertise, but also my momma skills and intuition.
Some days are filled with suffering, angry people, or difficult cases. For healthcare workers, it is stressful carrying the weight of responsibility and life hanging in the balance. When people are hurting, grieving, angry, or suffering, your healthcare team wants to help change and improve those circumstances. I find on hard days it helps me to find common ground with my patients and connect with them. They are there for pain or worries and it is affecting not only their bodies but also their relationships at home, school, or work. When I can connect with the people I am caring for, it is easier for me to see them for who they are and to help figure out what their problem is. I think we all want to be seen and valued; I know I do.
Finding a deep sense of personal efficacy is terribly important to all of us as moms. We want our relationships to be meaningful. We long for our children to grow strong and make loving and impactful decisions. We desire our work to be effective and useful. Healthcare mommas are no different. When work-life-stress threatens to tip the balance with the rest of my life, I try to focus on the things I can control (and sometimes it is a pretty short list!). Ultimately, I must start with myself: managing my own expectations, thinking on my feelings and emotions and how they are contributing and often driving my stress at work, asking myself if I am listening well to others. Most importantly, it helps me to remember that I can do my very best, and that is a good place to start.
Meet the Author:
I was born in upstate New York and grew up in North Texas. I come from a big, Italian family, a beautiful immigrant story, deeply rooted in faith. I am a quintessential middle child and married a man of depth, and passion for an adventurous life. We have three beautiful children who challenge and stretch me in all the best, worst ways. I am an ER Doctor and find fulfillment in using my skills to connect and serve the community where I live. I am your average female physician: a fiery soul intent on doing the uncommon and driving straight into a challenge.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
