Being on the road...what you can learn

Last April I participated in my first reabstracting study. It was a great experience - learning areas of how to improve my understand my knowledge of coding. Meeting others in my field - being a Health Information Management (HIM) Professional - is it a small field. We face similar things like shortage of staff to meet our national and provincial deadlines; trying to stay on top of all the changes we see in coding each year; and finding time to do our education credits.

This time - I still feel the same - it has been a great experience meeting other coders and different parts of Canada too (Nova Scotia; Sask, BC, Ontario, Manitoba). Halifax was great as I reconnected with a former coworker I knew from Calgary. She now works for the Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) - same company that I am working with for the reabstracting study. Learning how there are "different roads" I can go with my field - it just doesn't have to be in "coding". For example - CIHI has a position called - Classification Specialist - you could work out of your home; travel to perform workshops; assist in answering other coders coding questions; as well as participating with working our national coding standards. Sounds interesting - but I have one major thing to overcome - public speaking - definitely not my strong point for sure. Who knows maybe in the future - I like to keep my options open.

I must say though this time around - maybe because I have more time on my hands - I am finding being on the road this time around more lonely - like being disconnected if that makes sense. Earlier in the week, when I was speaking with Sara, her son Ethan asked her where I was. Last night reading my email from Ethan's Uncle Jon - he typed "I love you from Ethan" "I love you from Sierra". Okay - my heart melted. So I called last night and Ethan and I spoke for a few minutes. He was so cute when he repeated in shock "14 more sleeps?" when he asked when I would be coming to Three Hills.

You realize now - the connections you make with people (adult or children) - precious thing we have in friendships we have with all ages. By stepping away from it - you realize in a short period of time - your friendship has gone to another level - a deeper connection. I am thankful for the email, the phone and even Facebook to stay connected with my family and friends.

Can't wait to see my Calgary family in 14 more sleeps!!!