I like what I do. I just don't like where I work." Sound familiar? From unbearable co-workers to depressing work environments, there things that can make even the best job a living hell. Here are some signs it's time to look for a new job.
Sign No. 1: Your co-workers are annoying.
Obnoxious people can invade your work life. Let's face it, not everyone gets along perfectly. But you need to have some sort of harmonious relationship with fellow employees to get the job done. How are you supposed to get any work done when these guys keep getting in the way? They are distracting and impede productivity. Most offices have a Gossip, that one person who has the "scoop" all the time and is not afraid to share it. Misery loves company, and finds it often in the Whiner, who isn't afraid to complain and bellyache. And everyone has the Neighbor whose noisy distractions include his cellular ringtone, speakerphone and radio.
Sign No. 2: The environment is toxic.
Everyone experiences job highs and lows, but discontent could also be a sign of a chronically depressing work environment or even a company in peril. A bad work environment is reflective of the culture of an entire business. Do you work in a less-than-nurturing atmosphere? Is morale constantly low? Have you been complaining for two solid years? It could be an organizational problem that applying feng shui to your cube just won't fix.
Sign No. 3: You're mentally exhausted by the end of the day.
Stress can cause low morale, decreased productivity and apathy towards work. Plus, it can spill into your personal life and even have a negative effect on your health. Today there are fewer people who are taking on more and more work. American workers experience burnout at an alarming rate. According to CareerBuilder, 68 percent of workers feel burnout at work, and 45 percent said their workloads are too heavy. Yes, we all have to pick up some slack and "take one for the team" from time to time. But if there's no end in sight, do yourself and your health a favor and dust off your résumé.
Sign No. 4: Your boss is a nightmare.
Even though this person is your boss, it doesn't give him license to do anything he wants. If you have a lousy boss, even the best job in the world can make life a living hell. Your relationship with your supervisor plays a big role in your overall professional happiness and success. Fighting to have your boss removed or waiting for your boss to change or get fired are rarely successful tactics. If you are working for someone who is always absent, unavailable, self-absorbed or untrustworthy, it's time to look for a better supervisor and a better opportunity.
Sign No. 5: You're watching the clock... every 10 minutes.
Though you might not like to work, it's even worse when you are bored while you're there. One can only watch so many videos on YouTube or bid on unneeded things on eBay. If you aren't feeling challenged, that's a sign that you need additional responsibilities or a change roles. And be warned, if you don't have any responsibility or find yourself with nothing to do, management might be trying to phase you out and you might be in danger of losing your job.
Sign No. 6: You get no respect.
Does any of this sound familiar? Your ideas aren't taken seriously; there are no opportunities for advancement; the boss ignores you; co-workers alienate you; you're discouraged from improving skills with a course or seminar; you're passed over for a promotion -- again; or you're excluded from key projects and strategizing sessions. So why are you still giving this organization your time, energy and great ideas?<
Sign No. 7: Your co-workers act like animals.
They live for themselves and only themselves. They irritate you. They offend you. They have no manners or ethics. And you work with them all. There's the Office Thief who steals your ideas. The Shirker arrives late, leaves early and disappears whenever work is near. The Buck-passer unloads her work onto everyone else and blames others for her mistakes. The Procrastinator delays things until the last possible minute, slowing you down by not having the information you need to meet your deadlines. The Interrupter stops by your cubicle 10 times a day to chat about her latest boyfriend despite your ringing telephone and pressing deadlines. And don't forget the infamous Elevator Person who rides up only one floor instead of taking the stairs.
Sign No. 8: Nobody communicates.
Although we live in a world of e-mail, cell phones, instant messages, Blackberries, WiFi and, yes, even face-to-face conversation, there can still be a complete lack of communication. Whether it's a co-worker who's not returning your voice mail or the CEO not conveying a company's goals and accomplishments, the breakdown of communication can be frustrating and detrimental to your job. It can cost you an account, make you to miss a deadline, cause you to lose a client, and even get you fired.
Sign No. 9: You're not valued.
Forty-three percent of workers do not feel appreciated, and one-fourth of workers feel that they are just a "number" within their organization. You need to realize that you deserve credit for your successes. Recognition is important, and good companies implement programs to let employees know they are valued. Is your company doing anything to reward your efforts? Do you ever receive bonuses, perks or positive feedback? If your boss has never heard of positive reinforcement verbal or otherwise, find a company that will value your talents.
Sign No. 10: You feel stifled.
What kind of quality of life do you have? Is your 40-hour week turning into a 24/7 grind? While salary may seem like the end all and be all, your quality of life determines your overall happiness. How much time you spend on the job, working conditions, supervisors and subordinates can positively and negatively impact your job outlook. If you dread the time you spent at work, it should be a clear indicator that it's time to break free. A job shouldn't stifle you creatively, mentally or physically
Bottom line:
Considering what you don't like about your current situation should give you insight into what you are seeking in future endeavors. If you know what your priorities and preferences are and actively seek them, work can be an enjoyable experience. If, however, you've answered yes to more than four of these signs, then you might want to get started on a new job search.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
I have to store this somewhere....
Does your job drive you crazy? Do you sometimes wonder if you are the only sane person in working there? Is your workplace dysfunctional, or is it you? Here's how to find out"
Based on more than 30 years of experience as psychologist and business consultant, I've put together a checklist of fifteen diagnostic signs of a psychologically dysfunctional business. Is it the job, or is it you?
Sign No. 1: Conspicuously posted vision or value statements are filled with vague but important-sounding words like "excellence" and "quality"
These words are seldom defined and the concepts they allude to are never measured.
Sign No. 2: Bringing up a problem is considered more as evidence of a personality defect rather than as an actual observation of reality
In a dysfunctional company, what it looks like is not only more important than what it is, it is what it is. If you don't believe that, you are the problem. A surprising amount of information is classified. Dysfunctional companies have more state secrets than the CIA. Anything that might embarrass the boss turns out to be a national security issue.
Sign No. 3: If by chance there are problems, the usual solution is a motivational seminar
Attitude is everything, especially in places where facts are embarrassing or inconvenient. In a dysfunctional family, there's an elephant -- usually a drunken abusive parent -- in the parlor, but no one ever mentions him. To appear sane, you have to pretend that the elephant is invisible, and that drives you crazy. Businesses are full of invisible elephants, too. Usually they are things that might cause difficulties for people with enough clout to prevent their discussion. The emperor may be naked, but if you have a good attitude, you won't mention it.
Sign No. 4: Double messages are delivered with a straight face
Quality and quantity are both job one. You can do it both cheaper and better, just don't ask how. If you're motivated enough you should know already.
Sign No. 5: History is regularly edited to make executive decisions more correct, and correct decisions more executive than they actually were
Those huge salaries require some justification.
Sign No. 6: People are discouraged from putting things in writing
What is written, especially financial records, is purposely confusing. You can never tell when you might need a little deniability.
Sign No. 7: Directions are ambiguous and often vaguely threatening
Before you respond to a vague threat, remember this: Virtually every corporate scandal begins with someone saying, "Do it; I don't care how." That person is seldom the one who gets indicted.
Sign No. 8: Internal competition is encouraged and rewarded
The word "teamwork" may be batted around like a softball at a company picnic, but in a dysfunctional company the star players are the only ones who get recognition and big bucks.
Sign No. 9: Decisions are made at the highest level possible
Regardless of what it is, you have to check with your boss before doing it. She also has to check with her boss.
Sign No. 10: Delegating means telling somebody to do something, not giving them the power to do it
According to Webster's Dictionary, you delegate authority, not tasks. In dysfunctional companies you may have responsibility, but the authority lives in the office upstairs.
Sign No. 11: Management approaches from the latest bestseller are regularly misunderstood to mean what we're doing already is right on the mark
"Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," "Good to Great" and "Who Moved My Cheese?" all seem to boil down to, "quit griping and do more with less."
Sign No. 12: Resources are tightly controlled
Your department may need upgraded software, but there's been a spending freeze since 2006. Cost control is entry-level management, but in a dysfunctional company anything more sophisticated is considered too touchy-feely. Whatever you propose, the first question you will be asked is if it can be done cheaper.
Sign No. 13: You are expected to feel lucky to have a job and know you could lose it if you don't toe the line
Dysfunctional companies maintain control using the threat of punishment. Most will maintain that they also use positive rewards ... like your paycheck. A few people are actually fired, but most of those who go are driven to quit.
Sign No. 14: Rules are enforced based on who you are rather than what you do
In a dysfunctional company, there are clearly insiders and outsiders and everyone knows who belongs in each group. Accountability has different meanings depending on which group you're in.
Sign No. 15: The company fails the Dilbert Test
Dysfunctional organizations have no sense of humor. People who post unflattering cartoons risk joining the ranks of the disappeared. When an organization loses the ability to laugh at itself, it is headed for big trouble. If you'd get in trouble for printing this article and posting it on the bulletin board at work, maybe it's time to look for another job before this one drives you crazy.
Based on more than 30 years of experience as psychologist and business consultant, I've put together a checklist of fifteen diagnostic signs of a psychologically dysfunctional business. Is it the job, or is it you?
Sign No. 1: Conspicuously posted vision or value statements are filled with vague but important-sounding words like "excellence" and "quality"
These words are seldom defined and the concepts they allude to are never measured.
Sign No. 2: Bringing up a problem is considered more as evidence of a personality defect rather than as an actual observation of reality
In a dysfunctional company, what it looks like is not only more important than what it is, it is what it is. If you don't believe that, you are the problem. A surprising amount of information is classified. Dysfunctional companies have more state secrets than the CIA. Anything that might embarrass the boss turns out to be a national security issue.
Sign No. 3: If by chance there are problems, the usual solution is a motivational seminar
Attitude is everything, especially in places where facts are embarrassing or inconvenient. In a dysfunctional family, there's an elephant -- usually a drunken abusive parent -- in the parlor, but no one ever mentions him. To appear sane, you have to pretend that the elephant is invisible, and that drives you crazy. Businesses are full of invisible elephants, too. Usually they are things that might cause difficulties for people with enough clout to prevent their discussion. The emperor may be naked, but if you have a good attitude, you won't mention it.
Sign No. 4: Double messages are delivered with a straight face
Quality and quantity are both job one. You can do it both cheaper and better, just don't ask how. If you're motivated enough you should know already.
Sign No. 5: History is regularly edited to make executive decisions more correct, and correct decisions more executive than they actually were
Those huge salaries require some justification.
Sign No. 6: People are discouraged from putting things in writing
What is written, especially financial records, is purposely confusing. You can never tell when you might need a little deniability.
Sign No. 7: Directions are ambiguous and often vaguely threatening
Before you respond to a vague threat, remember this: Virtually every corporate scandal begins with someone saying, "Do it; I don't care how." That person is seldom the one who gets indicted.
Sign No. 8: Internal competition is encouraged and rewarded
The word "teamwork" may be batted around like a softball at a company picnic, but in a dysfunctional company the star players are the only ones who get recognition and big bucks.
Sign No. 9: Decisions are made at the highest level possible
Regardless of what it is, you have to check with your boss before doing it. She also has to check with her boss.
Sign No. 10: Delegating means telling somebody to do something, not giving them the power to do it
According to Webster's Dictionary, you delegate authority, not tasks. In dysfunctional companies you may have responsibility, but the authority lives in the office upstairs.
Sign No. 11: Management approaches from the latest bestseller are regularly misunderstood to mean what we're doing already is right on the mark
"Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," "Good to Great" and "Who Moved My Cheese?" all seem to boil down to, "quit griping and do more with less."
Sign No. 12: Resources are tightly controlled
Your department may need upgraded software, but there's been a spending freeze since 2006. Cost control is entry-level management, but in a dysfunctional company anything more sophisticated is considered too touchy-feely. Whatever you propose, the first question you will be asked is if it can be done cheaper.
Sign No. 13: You are expected to feel lucky to have a job and know you could lose it if you don't toe the line
Dysfunctional companies maintain control using the threat of punishment. Most will maintain that they also use positive rewards ... like your paycheck. A few people are actually fired, but most of those who go are driven to quit.
Sign No. 14: Rules are enforced based on who you are rather than what you do
In a dysfunctional company, there are clearly insiders and outsiders and everyone knows who belongs in each group. Accountability has different meanings depending on which group you're in.
Sign No. 15: The company fails the Dilbert Test
Dysfunctional organizations have no sense of humor. People who post unflattering cartoons risk joining the ranks of the disappeared. When an organization loses the ability to laugh at itself, it is headed for big trouble. If you'd get in trouble for printing this article and posting it on the bulletin board at work, maybe it's time to look for another job before this one drives you crazy.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Smile....
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Context
Friday, at lunch with my peers, we started talking about our children. I spoke about my sons, and how proud I was of them, but I missed them so much now that they have left home for college. One peer, spoke about how his 19 year old daughter never has time for him now that she is in college.
"I will call her," he said, "and she won't have time to talk. She says she will call me back, but she never does."
You could see the emotion in his face as he spoke, prompting me to tell him that I had to learn to text to talk to my kids on a regular basis. He related that he did not know how to text.
The group of us embarked on showing him how to text on his phone. Receiving a text from me, a simple Hi, he was intrigued. Another friend showed him how to return the text, and he started to smile. He then sent a text to his daughter - again, a simple 'hi'.
Instantaneously his phone rang, and he looked so surprised when he told us it was his daughter. He answered and we all heard "DADDY! You sent me a TEXT!".
The joy on his face in hearing his daughter, and the short conversation which ended with an "I love you." brought tears to the most stoic. I rarely see one look so happy.
The incident made my day. Life has changed so much in that we can use a small device and weave words to keep connected to those we love. We can communicate so easily, since everyone has a cell phone. Learning the technology is the only limitation.
Watching a father and daughter connect so lovingly, was emotional for all of us because, I believe that we all have those we so desperately want to connect with but have lost contact with.
I wish that separation and loss were never a part of our lives. But at least we can rejoice in someones happiness.
Reach out. Reconnect if you can. While you can.
Life is too damn short.
"I will call her," he said, "and she won't have time to talk. She says she will call me back, but she never does."
You could see the emotion in his face as he spoke, prompting me to tell him that I had to learn to text to talk to my kids on a regular basis. He related that he did not know how to text.
The group of us embarked on showing him how to text on his phone. Receiving a text from me, a simple Hi, he was intrigued. Another friend showed him how to return the text, and he started to smile. He then sent a text to his daughter - again, a simple 'hi'.
Instantaneously his phone rang, and he looked so surprised when he told us it was his daughter. He answered and we all heard "DADDY! You sent me a TEXT!".
The joy on his face in hearing his daughter, and the short conversation which ended with an "I love you." brought tears to the most stoic. I rarely see one look so happy.
The incident made my day. Life has changed so much in that we can use a small device and weave words to keep connected to those we love. We can communicate so easily, since everyone has a cell phone. Learning the technology is the only limitation.
Watching a father and daughter connect so lovingly, was emotional for all of us because, I believe that we all have those we so desperately want to connect with but have lost contact with.
I wish that separation and loss were never a part of our lives. But at least we can rejoice in someones happiness.
Reach out. Reconnect if you can. While you can.
Life is too damn short.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
It only takes a second for your life to change.
On April 19, 1995, at 9:03 am a bomb went off in front of the Murrah FBI building in Oklahoma City. In that short second, 9 floors crumbled and 324 surrounding buildings in a 16 block radius were impacted. Lives were lost, 168 to be exact. Nineteen were infants or children. Over 680 were injured. Most carry scars of the bombing to this day.
I visited the site in 2003, and was struck by the Survivor tree, an aging elm tree which survived the blast to bloom the next spring. It still stands today a symbol of resilience and recovery. The tree demonstrates how life marches on in the face of adversity; calmly, and stubbornly.
I like that. We can learn a lot from trees.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Secret Life
Browsing online tonight I came upon a book review of "Perfection", a story about how a wife finds out about her husband's secret life after his death. I didn't really read the review any farther than that, for the book doesn't interest me that much.
We all have secret lives, the inner part of our being which we share with few, if any.
Are any of us really who outsiders think we are?
I don't mean that all of us are living the life of dishonesty described in the book, but I know that we all have those pieces we do not share with anyone because of our need to NOT feel vulnerable. We can't survive if we are vulnerable.
I once related a dream regarding a choice I was given to a room full of healers. In the dream, I was told I was dying and could choose to embark upon a healing path, or toss the towel in and let nature take its course. I remember so clearly staring at the speaker, as he waited for an answer. I knew there was no judgement in either choice. I had to decide, quickly for I was running out of time.
The circle of faces around me were caught up in my dream telling. As I uttered my answer "Can I think about it?" I heard a collective intake of breath by the group, and over half nodded their heads that they understood and related to my indecision.
It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, for it forced me to open up a piece of my secret life. It was also one of the most profound moments of my life for I saw in certain faces, their 'secret thoughts' and their vulnerability in that split second. And I realized I was not alone.
We risk ridicule or censure if we speak what is in our heads, or so we believe. I think any negative response comes from the fear of the responder. This cannot be healthy!
I could have chosen to not share it, but I allowed myself to be vunerable, and I survived.
In admitting the dream to strangers I answered the question of the dream, albeit I didn't know that at the time.
Something changed after that conversation. I became less of a hermit and allowed people back into my life. I was willing to be vulnerable. A short time later, I moved into a new community and developed friendships and relationships I have never experienced. Life had changed, for the better.
Did it save my life?
I like to think so. I got ill after moving and required surgery. I had a reaction to the medication given, and I stopped breathing. My new friends were sitting in the room when it happened and literally saved my life by getting help. The old hermit me, would have most likely been alone, not even family around....
Relating the above, again I am spilling out more of my 'secret life'. Some may scoff at my stated belief. Some may squirm because they understand. I have no ownership over the feeling engendered by the reader.
I simply am making the point, we all, regardless of who we are, have at least one secret, we keep. And if that secret limits our being, perhaps we should risk sharing it...to be free to grow as the souls we are.
We all have secret lives, the inner part of our being which we share with few, if any.
Are any of us really who outsiders think we are?
I don't mean that all of us are living the life of dishonesty described in the book, but I know that we all have those pieces we do not share with anyone because of our need to NOT feel vulnerable. We can't survive if we are vulnerable.
I once related a dream regarding a choice I was given to a room full of healers. In the dream, I was told I was dying and could choose to embark upon a healing path, or toss the towel in and let nature take its course. I remember so clearly staring at the speaker, as he waited for an answer. I knew there was no judgement in either choice. I had to decide, quickly for I was running out of time.
The circle of faces around me were caught up in my dream telling. As I uttered my answer "Can I think about it?" I heard a collective intake of breath by the group, and over half nodded their heads that they understood and related to my indecision.
It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, for it forced me to open up a piece of my secret life. It was also one of the most profound moments of my life for I saw in certain faces, their 'secret thoughts' and their vulnerability in that split second. And I realized I was not alone.
We risk ridicule or censure if we speak what is in our heads, or so we believe. I think any negative response comes from the fear of the responder. This cannot be healthy!
I could have chosen to not share it, but I allowed myself to be vunerable, and I survived.
In admitting the dream to strangers I answered the question of the dream, albeit I didn't know that at the time.
Something changed after that conversation. I became less of a hermit and allowed people back into my life. I was willing to be vulnerable. A short time later, I moved into a new community and developed friendships and relationships I have never experienced. Life had changed, for the better.
Did it save my life?
I like to think so. I got ill after moving and required surgery. I had a reaction to the medication given, and I stopped breathing. My new friends were sitting in the room when it happened and literally saved my life by getting help. The old hermit me, would have most likely been alone, not even family around....
Relating the above, again I am spilling out more of my 'secret life'. Some may scoff at my stated belief. Some may squirm because they understand. I have no ownership over the feeling engendered by the reader.
I simply am making the point, we all, regardless of who we are, have at least one secret, we keep. And if that secret limits our being, perhaps we should risk sharing it...to be free to grow as the souls we are.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Chief Complaints
Western medicine has long taught the practitioners to start any encounter with the "chief complaint". Intake staff dutifully ask the question, "And what brings you in today?" and the response is duly noted in the chart. It helps the practitioner to structure the appointment by summarizing the encounter focus in one short statement.
I first learned of this concept at 16 when I worked at our local hospital. I normally worked in medical records/hospital operator. When the ER got busy at night, I was pulled to help out. My job was to ask the patient the magic question, and type it verbatim onto the top of the chart and record the patients demographic and insurance information.
We had been ordered by the doctors to get the patient to be as specific as possible. There had been an issue where people were stating vague complaints like "I think I am sick" when in reality they were there to be checked out for an STD. These folks often gave us erroneous information, because they did not want to be identified. The ER docs insisted that STD patients pay up front. Hence the order for being specific.
My first night in intake had a elderly gentleman who presented one night with the statement that his problem was personal and he wanted to talk to the doctor. Not only was he reluctant to share, he was slightly hard of hearing, so the conversation was heard by all.
"What brings you in tonight"
"I have a problem I want to discuss with the doctor"
"I'm afraid sir you have to be more specific"
"I don't want to be more specific, I just want to talk to the doctor"
"Sir, I need to put something down on the paper here"
"Put down that I want to talk to the doctor"
At this point both the patient and the intake person were getting frustrated at the impasse.
"I'm sorry sir, but I need to tell you that we have to charge certain conditions up front, like STD's."
The man appeared dumbfounded at her remark and red faced he yelled, "I don't HAVE an STD, I have HEMORRHOIDS!
You could have heard a pin drop in waiting room and triage area. The intake person smiled brightly as she typed in the chief complaint exactly as she heard it and calmly asked for his insurance card. The rest of the night, everyone who came through the door volunteered their chief complaint before even sitting down.
My second night in intake, another gentleman came in, and would not sit down. He preferred to give his information standing. The answer I got to the question, "I have an irritation up my asshole." I typed it out on the paper, took his information, gave him a wrist band and sent him back to stand in the waiting area. I handed off the chart, and the nurse looked at it and said, "You're kidding, right?". I assured her that I wasn't and pointed to the obviously uncomfortable gentleman.
In my naivety, I simply assumed that he too had hemorrhoids. Because he was so uncomfortable, I later asked the doctor if he took care of the guy with the hemorrhoids. He looked confused for a second and then said, "OH, you mean the guy with the flashlight..."
After that night I was no longer needed in intake. I suspect they felt I was too young to encounter all these folks presenting in the ER.
I first learned of this concept at 16 when I worked at our local hospital. I normally worked in medical records/hospital operator. When the ER got busy at night, I was pulled to help out. My job was to ask the patient the magic question, and type it verbatim onto the top of the chart and record the patients demographic and insurance information.
We had been ordered by the doctors to get the patient to be as specific as possible. There had been an issue where people were stating vague complaints like "I think I am sick" when in reality they were there to be checked out for an STD. These folks often gave us erroneous information, because they did not want to be identified. The ER docs insisted that STD patients pay up front. Hence the order for being specific.
My first night in intake had a elderly gentleman who presented one night with the statement that his problem was personal and he wanted to talk to the doctor. Not only was he reluctant to share, he was slightly hard of hearing, so the conversation was heard by all.
"What brings you in tonight"
"I have a problem I want to discuss with the doctor"
"I'm afraid sir you have to be more specific"
"I don't want to be more specific, I just want to talk to the doctor"
"Sir, I need to put something down on the paper here"
"Put down that I want to talk to the doctor"
At this point both the patient and the intake person were getting frustrated at the impasse.
"I'm sorry sir, but I need to tell you that we have to charge certain conditions up front, like STD's."
The man appeared dumbfounded at her remark and red faced he yelled, "I don't HAVE an STD, I have HEMORRHOIDS!
You could have heard a pin drop in waiting room and triage area. The intake person smiled brightly as she typed in the chief complaint exactly as she heard it and calmly asked for his insurance card. The rest of the night, everyone who came through the door volunteered their chief complaint before even sitting down.
My second night in intake, another gentleman came in, and would not sit down. He preferred to give his information standing. The answer I got to the question, "I have an irritation up my asshole." I typed it out on the paper, took his information, gave him a wrist band and sent him back to stand in the waiting area. I handed off the chart, and the nurse looked at it and said, "You're kidding, right?". I assured her that I wasn't and pointed to the obviously uncomfortable gentleman.
In my naivety, I simply assumed that he too had hemorrhoids. Because he was so uncomfortable, I later asked the doctor if he took care of the guy with the hemorrhoids. He looked confused for a second and then said, "OH, you mean the guy with the flashlight..."
After that night I was no longer needed in intake. I suspect they felt I was too young to encounter all these folks presenting in the ER.
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