Kindle Edition
Amazon
Category:
Literary Fiction
Publisher: Elizabeth Weeks-Rowe
ISBN-10: 0692317988
Type: Fiction
Pages: 64
Copyright: Nov, 2014
ISBN-13: 9780692317983
Price: $5.99 (eBook)
A captivating medical fiction novel that tells the heart warming story of an inexperienced nurse, learning the challenging, exciting field of clinical trials and patient care, while maintaining her sense of humor and sanity.
Lisa is a naďve nursing school graduate, looking for an interesting position in the health-care field, as well as the ability to pay off her mounting student loans. She visits a clinic in her hometown, with the intent of applying for a nursing position, and exits with a job as a study coordinator, whatever that is?!! A crafty recruiter convinced her to accept an ”exciting position” with “limitless opportunity” for career progression. The only problem is that Lisa has no idea what the position is, what it requires, or the extent of the mess that she has gotten herself into. From brilliant physicians, to complicated monitors, to overwhelmed research directors, Lisa receives a trial by fire indoctrination into the exciting and challenging world of clinical research. Managing clinical studies, patient care, safety and regulatory paperwork, she is thrust into complex situations that test her confidence, her education, and bring her to both laughter and tears. However, these situations also rouse a latent tenacity that transform her fear into opportunity, and set her along a life changing career path.
Excerpt
Chapter 1-So, do you know anything about clinical research?
So, do you know anything about clinical research?” This was the pivotal question that, unbeknownst to me at the time, would define the start of my career in clinical research. I walked into the recruiting office of a large medical clinic in my home town, seeking employment as a nurse. Did I mention that I was fresh out of nursing school, and ridiculously naďve and idealistic? After the requisite pleasantries with the recruiter, I began my unfortunate interviewing spiel. I explained that I became a nurse to help people, (how original), and that I believed working at the clinic would enable me to make a positive impact on patients’ lives. The recruiter shot me a speculative glance, and raised her eyebrows as if to say, (insert sarcastic tone) “Really? I have never heard that before…” Her next sentence would literally change my life. “So, do you know anything about clinical research?” she asked. Externally, I was speechless, but with a mad internal dialogue. Had the recruiter paid attention to anything I had just said? How did clinical research have anything to do with nursing? Did I resemble a mad scientist, with the proverbial white coat and wild hair? What in the world was clinical research, anyway? I informed the recruiter that I did not have any research experience, but that I was, OF COURSE, interested in learning new things. Looking back, I think I would have said anything to get a job, and pay off my student loans. “Great, come with me,” she declared, as if I had a choice. She then took my hand and dragged me down two flights of stairs to the office of a female internal medicine physician, Dr. Smith. We stood in the doorway of Dr. Smith’s office for what seemed an eternity. Dr. Smith finally looked up from her massive mahogany desk and motioned for us to enter. The recruiter informed Dr. Smith that she had a possible candidate for the research coordinator position and asked if she were available for a quick chat. Dr. Smith looked directly into my eyes, for what seemed like an eternity. Though I felt very uncomfortable, I was determined to keep eye contact (I cursed my traitorous eyelid as it began to twitch nervously). Her face was inscrutable as she continued to stare at me. She was an attractive, thin female of indeterminate middle age. She was dressed in an expensive business suit, underneath a white doctor’s coat. She had an air of accomplishment and authority that intimidated me. I swallowed and wondered what I had gotten myself into? After what seemed like forever, Dr. Smith finally broke eye contact and turned back to her computer screen to finish typing something undoubtedly important. The recruiter and I stood there awkwardly. Dr. Smith then rose, grabbed several charts from her desk and turned to exit the office. My first thought was that she had found me a deficient candidate, based on that five minute onceover, and that this was her way of dismissing me from her presence. Instead, she surprised me by asking, nay commanding us, to follow her. “Walk with me” were her exact words. We naturally obeyed. I would later discover that Dr. Smith had a way of compelling people to follow her commands. This always intrigued me about her. She walked swiftly down the hallway, and we literally had to sprint to catch up to her. She had a purposeful stride, like I imagined a busy doctor would, and it was difficult to maintain her pace, let alone conversation. The conversation, or interview, went as follows: Dr. Smith (calm demeanor, even tone of voice, yet incredibly intimidating) said to me, “Do you have any clinical research experience?” The recruiter responded (though the question was directed at me, apparently the recruiter was speaking on my behalf). “Lisa does not have any research experience, but she does have nursing experience.” Really, I did? I was thinking SO loudly to myself…How did the recruiter know what, if any, nursing experience I had? She hadn’t even bothered to look at my Curriculum Vitae (CV). Dr. Smith nodded briskly, and kept nodding throughout the entire conversation; in which I had very little participation, though I was the primary subject. After walking for about five minutes, Dr. Smith stopped short of a wing of administrative offices. She looked sternly into my eyes, “Lisa, I need a study coordinator who is dependable and willing to work hard. I hope you can be that person.” And what was my brilliant response? To smile and nod my head vigorously. It seems I had lost my ability to speak during the walk from Dr. Smith’s office to her pod of examination rooms. She gave me one last lingering look, and disappeared into an exam room. I was a little confused. Dr. Smith’s final words to me were promising, but without substance, as they did not include an offer of employment. I glanced anxiously at the recruiter, for I had no idea what had just happened. Was this a casual “get to know you” conversation, or a formal interview? During the discourse, I contributed nothing tangible, but merely nodded my head like a silly puppet. As we walked back up the stairs to the recruiter’s office, I noticed she had resumed her perfect human resources poker face, aka “the smile that did not reach the eyes.” I had a million questions, but knew it was not appropriate to ask any of them. I wanted to scream, jump in the air, and flail madly anything to get a confirmation from the recruiter over what had taken place with Dr. Smith. But the recruiter’s expression was set in stone. When we reached her office, I shook her hand, and thanked her for her time. She smiled that same artificial smile, and gave me the token “we will be in touch” farewell that told me basically, nothing. In touch for what? I wanted to scream. WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED??? I had just completed what I thought was an interview, about a position that I had never heard of, nor knew anything about. Great…I had been searching for a job to sink my teeth and ambition into, and if it turned out to be terrible, after a year or two I could move into a more interesting department. I just needed to get an actual job, to pay my rent, bills, and to get my nagging mother off of my back. Millions of questions/random thoughts were swimming in my head as I drove home from the impromptu interview. I did not think that walking swiftly down a hallway, watching a busy physician and a determined recruiter talk about you, constituted an interview, according to state law. I did not know if I had been offered the job. I had not filled out any employment paperwork, let alone an application. If I worked for Dr. Smith I would definitely have to learn to walk faster. What exactly would I be doing if I they offered me the job? Studying bacteria under a microscope? Would I have to buy a microscope? I did not have the funds for that, which meant I would have to ask my mother for the money, something I always dreaded doing. When I arrived home, I collapsed on my bed, exhausted by the events of the day. I was asleep within minutes. I was awakened several hours later by a phone call from that poker faced recruiter, offering me the position. I said yes before she could change her mind, before even considering what I had gotten myself into.
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