New Kid On The Block

Only days until I will be the new kid on the block. Not only am I leaving my job after 17 years, leaving my family for a short while, moving to South Carolina and starting a new career at a Veterinary Emergency/Specialty Group. That should be scary enough; and it is ...TRUST me! There have been many tears, many times I asked my husband, "Am I doing the right thing?" The answer was always "yes" if you are wondering.

Then there is the decision of what clothes to take. Now if you are a man you TOTALLY don't get this so bear with me. I have over 150 pair of pants and 110 pair of shoes. I didn't even count shirts. (PS: I am VERY cheap and 99% of these things came from Goodwill and resale shops!) So when you are leaving to live short term in a hotel then to an apartment from home...what they heck do you pack? My new bosses said I could wear scrubs or business attire. At first I jumped at scrubs. That was the answer to my prayers! Match top to bottom -WALLAH - outfit of the day. Unfortunately the little voice inside my head took over and kept telling me that I knew better. If I was going to be the boss I had to dress like the boss, so out went the scrubs and back came the grueling decision of what the heck to pack. I leave in 4 days and I don't have anything packed!!!! Maybe I should re-think the scrub thing...after all it is the person they should respect not the clothes right?

That leads me to another source of panic and some sleepless nights. I am going to be the boss but also the newbie. I haven't ever managed an ER/Specialty practice but I have lead and inspired people. I don't know how to explain all those things that end in "...scopy". How do I get to know them all and yet still establish my role as the leader? How do I be friendly but not make friends? (Friends at work is HARD). How do I learn all about ER medicine and specialty medicine really quick? Are there cliff notes for this?

Well, the clock is ticking. I am leaving my home, the job I knew for so long, my kids (they are adults now), my friends and everything I know and love to set out on this new venture. There have been many tears; just 5 minutes ago in fact and a few hours ago when I left my son's house.

Any advice, guidance, input on any of these dilemmas would be appreciated!!!

Donna