Start in Healthcare:
I have worked in the healthcare field most of my adult life and I love it. I started when I was 19 working as a CNA, then went to nursing school when I was 21. I worked as a nurse for three years when I began to feel helpless, like my voice was never heard. I decided to start taking business classes in hopes of getting a masters in healthcare administration. I soon realized that was not the path for me....but while taking the business classes, I found my passion. I loved the business world but I also loved healthcare. I didn't know how to mesh the two but when I found myself in the clinical research field I found the perfect career to put healthcare and business together.
Clinical Research:
I started working in clinical research back in 2006. The research clinic I worked in was a department of the hospital I was working for. It had only been around for a year and was so new that there were only three people working there (including myself). I began to see how the research center was ran and started to see how if we changed some things, it would run more efficiently. The only problem was that my clinical manager at the time did not like my ideas and wanted to keep it the way it was when she helped open it. My manager did not have any research experience, just a BS in nursing. She did not want to be open to changing things and slowly worked her way out in the first year I was there.
The light:
Shortly after starting at the research center my clinical manager left and I became the new clinical manager. Luckily, my Director was open to hearing my ideas for change. It was life changing for me. I know that sounds silly, but it was. For the first time, I finally had a voice. We saw our profits raise over 200% in the first year after we implemented my ideas for change and grew from three people to eleven in less then two years. I decided at that point to go back to school but did not want to get by Bachelors in Nursing. I called up the local University and talked to a recruiter and enrolled in their BS in Organizational Leadership. It was perfect for me. It helped me to grow as a leader and a manager. It gave me a great mix of business and leadership skills. I was able to take my strengths and grow.
Growth:
After graduating in Organizational Leadership, I decided to continue on and get my MBA. It really was the best decision of my life. Although I was drained from being in school for the last year and a half, I knew that getting my MBA was essential for me in order for get a position where I could utilize my passion for business development and marketing.
Moving On:
Since healthcare reform is changing the way we view healthcare, I see a chance to embrace that and to help make change. I see it as a calling...a tug at my soul that I honestly can not explain to anyone...its just a feeling. I want to help innovate change and the way the healthcare system interacts with their patients.
Over the past few years I have really found myself. I have learned how to lead a team effectively, conflict resolution, business development, business start-up, and the list could go on and on. I love working with people and I love healthcare.
I am a catalyst for change. I am confident in who I am as a person. I am a leader. I am a nurse. I am a patient advocate. I am a quality driver. I am Crystal and I hope that you too can get to know me on my journey of change....My journey to connecting patients to healthcare through patient activation, technology and innovative change.
Update: In January of 2012, I will start on a new journey...I got my dream job! Director of Marketing! I am excited to see where this journey takes me and to learn from all the amazing people I will be surrounded with.
