Dee-Mystifying Health Care Education: What Have You Learned Dorothy?

Seventy-four years ago the 1939 classic film based on L. Frank Baum’s children’s story debuted on television and in our hearts and homes. The film left us with some of the most memorable quotes of all time. Personally, it is one of my favorite movies of all time because its enduring life-lessons still resonate with truth and guidance these many years later. Here are just a few that I carry with me:

“There’s No Place Like Home.” In building and packaging Inquisit’s health care education activities, my team exemplifies Dorothy’s main discovery – there’s no place like home – and no motivator like clarity of purpose. Dorothy fully embraces the differences, adventures and dangers she encounters in Oz, but she is never deterred from her purpose of finding her way home. This is a good tip as you look for a CE provider. Choose a provider you can embrace and a partner who has clarity of purpose. That purpose is education – pure and simple. Not education for the goal of sales or exchange. A company/organization that knows its mission is to provide quality continuing education is an entity with clarity of purpose and there is no doubt of this mission by you – the health care professional. Quality and clarity of purpose is how a CE provider can make you feel at home.

The world is full of lions and tigers and bears…or in our world it is full of regulations, staffing shortages and constant change, oh my! The key to a successful journey down your yellow brick road is to grab onto your friends and colleagues for support, stay true to your passions and take every opportunity to participate in lifelong learning. Self-growth is a developmental process. Help along the way is essential, however, no one else can journey for you, but you.

Never let others slow you down. Apple throwing trees, flying monkeys and a wicked witch or two cannot stop you from striving to meet your goals. Many people are jealous and threatened of the success of others. Individuals that achieve this success often face many obstacles during their journey. Stay focused on a successful journey by keeping informed, staying current on the updates in your profession, seeking knowledge and building confidence. And just like Dorothy, never lose faith in you ability to succeed.

Stop ruminating especially over the small stuff – like a pair of red shoes. Studies show that dwelling on negative thoughts amplifies their power in your mind. In fact, some researchers suggest that a reason more women suffer depression than men is because women are more likely to “over think,” while men are better at distracting themselves from negative thoughts. Focus your energy on those issues that make a difference in your professional practice.

“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” In other words, things are not always as they appear. As a health care professional you must be a critical thinker. If you see something that causes you to hesitate, stop and ask yourself why. Slow down, focus and think through a problem. If your broom is up...it is for a reason.

“Somewhere over the rainbow” does not always mean the grass is greener. In today’s health care arena, staffing shortages have opened many doors for movement within organizations and among organizations. While some opportunities may be excellent choices to explore, some are not exactly “where blue birds fly.” The most important aspect to weigh – where ever you go, whatever you do – is will the position allow you to practice your passion and will your passion be nurtured? 

“What makes the dawn come up like thunder? COURAGE.” Courage is not shown in the one who roars the loudest. Courage is asking for help when you need it, saying what you believe, doing your job in an ethical manner with honesty and integrity, being trustworthy, admitting when you’re wrong, and reminding yourself, and all your peers, that the patient is the center of your land of Oz.

Like the Wizard himself, recognize your limitations and showcase your talents. Maybe you don’t have a flying broomstick, but you sure can belt out a tune! Maybe you rust a little when you cry, but you CAN cry! Maybe you haven’t got a brain, but the girl likes you best! And let’s face it, we can't ALL come and go by bubble. It is not the limitation you have, it’s the way you handle those limitations.

We all remember the scene where Dorothy misses her balloon flight home, starts to cry and is subsequently notified by Glinda that with those fancy ruby slippers, she had the power to return home the whole time; she just needed to discover it for herself: “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t go looking any further than my own back yard.” Remember, your back yard is deep within you. So when in doubt, look within for the answer. You're more powerful than you think.