My IC career began 6 or 7 years ago. I expected to be a 90 day wonder. Do you know what I mean? Thirty years ago a nurse ended up in a new specialty and she/he immersed themselves into it totally, read everything you can get your hands on, and in about 90 days they function in a reasonably competent manor. When I accepted the job as an Infection Control Practitioner in a small rural acute care hospital, I figured I already knew most of what I would need to know about infection control, I'm a nurse for gosh sakes, we know about infection control don't we? How much more would I really need to know? I was in for a rude shock. It didn't come suddenly like a bolt out of the blue. It came on slowly, it kind of settled over me like the green, noxious fog in a B rated horror movie.

The beginning of the wake-up call was just a whisper in the back of my brain. It happened at the first meeting I attended of the Vermont Infection Control Practioners Association. Many of the topics discussed were totally foreign to me, I didn't have a clue! "Uh oh, you have bitten off more than you can chew this time." Said the voice in the back of my brain. Well, if the voice whispered on that day, it shouted at me loud and clear, when I had the opportunity to attend my first APIC National Conference. And the voice said "Listen up you numbskull, there are no 90 day wonders functioning credibly in Infection Control." "Look what a fine mess you've gotten us into this time, Ollie." I may have been over confident but I wasn't stupid. The body of knowledge is HUGE, very intimidating, and I was petrified. I was in so far over my head I was sure I would drown. So what is a new, scared, intimidated ICP to do?

I can only tell you some things that helped me begin to gather the information I needed

#1. Network with other ICPs in your area. Pick up the phone or send an email. If you are as fortunate as I was, you will find dedicated and experienced ICPs like Donna Morris of Northeastern Vermont Regional Medical Center in St Johnsbury, VT and Jean Holcomb of North Country Hospital in Newport, VT. They were willing to share that knowledge and expertise with an over confident newbie. The two of them have literally been my saving grace. When certain things came up that I was totally unprepared for, they were as close as the phone or the next email. They didn't always have every answer but with over 40 years of experience between them they didn't come up empty very often. I am very sincerely and forever grateful for their help. They took time from their busy days to help a newbie.

#2. Attending local meetings, for me this was VICPA, Vermont Association of Professionals in Infection Control. Here is your face to face networking opportunity. VICPA only meets 3 times a year, but we meet for the majority of the day. For some of us it's several hours of driving to attend. It has been worth every minute spent. Our Vermont group is small and come from varied backgrounds. At these statewide meetings I met ICPs like Sue Page, Wilma Salkin, Sally Hess, Susan Schoenfeld, and Kathi Dages. They have all helped me at one time or another. No that's not completely true; they have actually, each one, saved my neck at one time or another.

#3. Attend Chapter Conferences. They are your best bang for the buck. New England Chapter 001 never fails to provide us with top notch educational opportunities. Pair that with an easily accessible and central location in the Springfield Marriott. Check out the Am-Trak station nearest you, using Am-Trak could really save you some money and the Springfield Am-Trak station is only a block from the Hotel.

#4. Get your certification. Validate yourself if only for your own sake. You will know that you at least have the basic knowledge needed to practice and it will demand that you re-validate that every 5 years. It is as good for you personally as it is good for you professionally. Last but not least, the certification process helps to give us credibility as a profession.

#5. Finally, Pay-it forward. Mentor someone yourself when you have developed a certain level of experience. Participate locally or regionally as an officer or Board Member, write an article to share in your newsletter. Contribute something of yourself.

I thought back to those days as I attended the National in Denver Colorado this past June. My registration was paid for by Chapter 001 New England The New England Chapter held a drawing for the members who had volunteered to run for and Chapter Office. I was the winner of the drawing and also found myself as the new Communications director Elect for Chapter 001 APIC New England. WOW Talk about a learning experience. Thank you APIC New England.

Infection control is a rewarding and challenging field. It is finally beginning to receive the recognition it has so long deserved. I still consider myself a relative newbie, not as naïve, perhaps, but with still so much still to be learned. New information is coming at us on a daily basis. We are certainly being asked to do more and more with little or no increase in FTEs but on the up-side it is such an exciting field in which to work. Challenge yourself to be available to someone new to the field it's bound to be a gratifying experience. We need everyone to rise to the challenges ahead of us.