Just Do It vs Don’t Do It

When changes are unavoidable; the choice is still yours.

Photo by Graham Ruttan on Unsplash

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
~ Henry Ford

When the health care system I worked for decided to introduce patient Electronic Health Records¹ in all their hospitals, many nurses were up in arms. Their protests were useless because the time had come for computerizing patients’ health records. We all knew it.

But between working long hours, short staffed, and increasing patient acuity, our feelings were justified; a heavier workload was on the horizon. Fear was in the air.

Some nurses took early retirement. They decided that their job was done; they did not want to endure the changes that were coming. That luxurious option was not available for me.

I was 62 but could not retire because I had financial obligations. Besides working my regular shifts, I also worked overtime on days off. Technically, I could have retired early if I truly wanted to.

But that meant that I had to give up on a dream.

It was a definite NO to forfeit my dream. We had bought a spectacular second home, to which my hubby and I one day planned to retire. This meant I that had to cough up two mortgage payments every month for several years. It was not easy, but I did it.

Instead of having to work less, I had to work more.

Other nurses scheduled vacation time during the week of computer installations. They knew that the implementation of the software program would be busy. Busy worked for me. It meant more work and more over time; the fertile ground on which my dream house was built.

A group of nurses who had more than average experience with computers was invited to sign up as super users. They would get extra training and help their colleagues who needed assistance.

Mentally, we were approaching the coming changes in our own way.

A nurse friend of mine worked in a hospital that was introduced to the electronic program before my hospital. She worked in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) like I did, and our software would be identical.

I asked my supervisor for permission to spend a day, shadowing my nurse friend. The request was granted. Relaxed, curious, and excited to see the new program in action, I knew this experience would be a non-threatening introduction.

No stress, responsibility, or work; I would just be observing.

After being secured as a guest in the hospital, I entered the ICU and met with my friend. Happy to see each other, I took a seat next to her as she moved the computer stand closer to give me a clear vision.

Before starting to provide any guidance, she turned to me and said the magic words that changed my attitude about electronic healthcare records, forever.

With a big smile, she turns to me, and she says, ”Annelie, you are going to love this. It is so easy, and it is so much better than the paper system.”

BAM; those words hit me like a hammer. Instantly my mind opened up and the sun shone in. I spent about six hours with her. Listening to her praising the new computer system removed my fears.

I knew how it worked now, and I knew I could do it. The hard part was done. Left was the easy part; I just had to do it.

Some changes are unavoidable, but we still have to choose.

Photo by Graham Ruttan on Unsplash

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”
~ Lao Tzu

Entering January, our feet are already wet from reevaluating the results of our current lifestyle. Habits to add and habits to drop from the past are looked at. Self-imposed changes related to personal growth and development are often on our January to-do list.

Some of us are maxed out on pleasures from the holidays; we got stuck in the pleasure trap. The treasure trap is a comfortable place to be, until it is not. When sugary and fatty foods, Netflix, alcohol, and smoking take center stage, stagnation and regression color our lifestyle. Where growth is absent, happiness does not grow.

It is time to engage in damage control and self-direct therapeutic changes.

To just do it or to just don’t do it is an important choice we have to make. The outcome decides on the future quality and quantity of life. Nike and their slogan, Just do it, can inspire us to act towards our goals. Without action to comply with required changes, no goals are met.

Without goals, dreams blow in the wind, and they get lost. This holds true for everyone, regardless of age. We are never too old to create new dreams and new goals.

Making no changes is also a choice.

Incorporating computerized nursing records did improve patient care. The transition between the old and the new was hard, but it had to be done. Transitions are hard and necessary for change to take place.

Nurses are still the backbone of the American healthcare delivery system. They continue to adapt when needed and meet challenges as the come along. Nursing is not an easy profession, but it can be incredibly rewarding. For me it was.

I am retired now, and I live in my spectacular dream house. A clear goal, overtime, and hard work made my dream a reality. For this, I am utterly grateful.

Growing older is a privilege and comes with more time to reminisce. Looking back at 30 years of nursing, with lots of water under the bridge, I am often reminded that not making a choice is also a choice.

Just do it VS just don’t do it; what do you think? I would love to know.

Thank you.

. . .

🇳🇴Annelie Holmene Pelaez believes that everyone has an attribute to share with others. Promoting cardiovascular health and helping adults over age 65 is her contribution. When we don’t let age define us, but rather empower us to grow, we discover health and happiness are byproducts of who we are.

Annelie is the author of the book, Say Yes to A Better Life, available at Amazon.

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