On the Professional Memoir-SRC

Looking back since I started working at Y SRC Campus, the challenges there has taught me that sometimes the hardest part of traveling clinician is not the workload, it’s the people. Toxic environments can wear down even the most dedicated clinicians. At SRC, I learned that interpersonal politics and negative cultures can create more stress than patient care itself. I am not a stranger to either of those. The workload and the toxic work culture. Everywhere you go in healthcare, those are bound to come. 

The medication incident with Professor K highlighted the importance of maintaining meticulous documentation and clear communication. Even when you know your practice is solid, misunderstandings can arise. Having a verifiable paper trail, pharmacy audits, and proper communication channels are essential, not just for patient safety but also for professional protection. They assumed it was my fault a medication was never administered. They are wrong. 

The experience also reinforced a difficult truth: in healthcare, there are “gatekeepers.” People who, for reasons of insecurity, jealousy, or personal bias, try to block or discredit others. Recognizing this reality is important for every clinician, especially travelers, who may enter environments where they are viewed as outsiders. This can create distress and the earlier we recognize this the better. I usually have no trust in anybody I work with however long that maybe. Especially people who are permanent staff. They will be very quick to thrush you for promotional points. Evil is real. 

The lesson from SRC is simple but vital: always do your work with integrity, document everything, and protect your professional name. You may not always be able to change the culture, but you can control your practice and your response.