What Keeps You in the Profession?

I do love my job in the lab. I have been in the lab for almost 12 years now, I have worked every shift, and almost every department.   I love being the one to find out the answers the doctors need, especially when it's the key factor driving their diagnosis and/or treatment.   While I agree that in Chemistry, the analyzers can take away some of the mental challenges that attract us to this field in the first place, we must not forget the other areas of the lab that may still provide that mental stimulation.  I started in chemistry and hematology and while I enjoyed the automation, I felt like something was missing.  Rather than give up on the lab field all together, I switched to Microbiology, and eventually Virology, where I found both automation and mental stimulation.  In a field like Laboratory Medicine, the only constant thing is change, so I have a hard time hearing that your not being challenged.  If you're not being challenged maybe you're not keeping up, whether it's change in methodologies, techniques, or treatments, everyday something new and exciting is happening.   My point is, the excitement and mental challenges are still there, you just have to be willing to look for them.  

I know of many techs in the field that love what they do, and actually find satisfaction that they are truly helping their fellow man from a healthcare perspective...and I personally want to congratulate them.  However, as the previous individual commented...that is definately NOT the norm!

Personally, I have 25 years of experience in the clinical laboratory and from many perspectives (Lab Manager, Department Supervisor, Specialist, Generalist, Education Specialist to a pseudo Biomedical technologist position).  My last position which entailed supporting all of the instrumentation within the lab from a firmware and software perspective led me to jump ship...in a sense...to the IT world.  It seemed a natural progression...at least for me.  I feel I was one of the "long-timers" in the lab.  I've spoken to many a MT or MLT student as they have considered there options in the clinical lab, and most still entered the field regardless of my eye-opening information.  I guess I would liken it to raising children...sometimes you just can't tell them, they must experience it for themselves and come to their own conclusions.

Having said all of this...I still want to use my vast "medical" knowledge, and so I have become a Analyst in HIS systems and clinically related software as well as a programmer and designer of clinically related software...and I really enjoy it.  The best of both worlds.  Back in the early 80's...yes I'm old, you really had to know your stuff, especially in Chemistry where I excelled.  To operate the Technicon SMAC I or II (if you've ever heard of that), you had to know the reactions and the componenets of the reaction to determine if things were running correctly (Good ole Continuous flow analyzers).  Now adays, you need only press "GO", "RUN", "Start", etc. check your QC and that's it.  Not much mental stimulation...and for me that was the ticket...I had to be challenged, and the field is no where mentally challenging as it used to be...now it is physically challenging because you're forced to do more with much less.  Medical Sweat Shops!

Enough...I'll get off of my soap box!

Those same exact reasons are why many are leaving the profession.  A person can only take so much when it comes to long hours, oddball shifts, evenings/overnights, etc.  Many that have families and lives outside of the laboratory enjoy and value their scarce time off.  

I have the distinct pleasure of working an offshift while waiting to graduate to a day shift position - some time before I retire.  I can honestly say that in the 10 years that I have been at this I have been burnt out for the last few.  I have been exploring numerous other career opportunities outsite of the laboratory and healthcare environment as a way to resume a normal (waking) life for myself and my family.  

I know numerous others throughout my short time in this field that have left for more desirable careers and have pursued their education accordingly and I am sure that I will know more before my time in this profession is up.

If I could talk to individuals interested in this profession that are looking to go into the clinical (hospital) laboratory setting, I would love to open their eyes beyond the glitz and glamour that the shiny college packets have put on this "windowless profession".  I would suggest that they consider this seriously and think long term if this is really what they want for themselves and their [eventual] family.