March 25, 2025 Knowledge is Power

 Let me preface this post by saying I do believe that we never stop learning, and all information is valuable, whether it applies directly to your life. At the same time, largely due to my middle age indifference, I find myself with my WTF lines getting deeper all the time. Let me explain.

Several years ago, I was approached by a good friend who was in need of a new pharmacy tech to work in her lab. I was recovering from a disastrous experience in retail so was open to something new and fresh. The only contingency was that I had to take and pass the board exam to be certified. 

I suffer terribly from test anxiety, then add on a new-found case of lacking confidence, I was reticent to take it on. But, I pulled myself up, studied for 6 months on an almost daily basis while working in the lab, ultimately passing the national board. During those study months, I was told that much of which I'd be tested would never be used in the lab. I felt like a darned genius after that accomplishment. In case you didn't know, learning pharmacy is akin to becoming adept in a foreign language. I absolutely loved my CPhT position, by the way.

Now, as a retiree, have taken on a side hustle with Iowa Family Services. It's an "as needed" position, client specific, and has been a rewarding and fulfilling job. 

Where is this going, you ask? I guess it's a sort of rant, but not really.

Before being hired, I was required to take a certain amount of training hours, all online, so it was very convenient. I worked in Special Ed for 12 years within the school system, ranging from 1st grade to high school, so much of the information was familiar.

Now, I am expected to add continuing education hours yearly, and this is the time. It amounts to 13 online hours. And, I find myself right back to having to take in much of which is well outside the realm of my responsibilities, some applying to professionals, of which I am not.

Much of what I read is a repeat of what I learned as a paraprofessional, so ho-hum. Other aspects are not applicable at all, like workplace violence. I doubt very much that the hubs will be stalking or threatening me in our home, just saying. Was it valuable? Probably, if I ever find myself in the situation of helping someone else.

The fact that I struggle to sit for long periods of time isn't helping. I do make myself read until I'm cross-eyed, then I put it aside until the next day. There is ample time to complete it all.

In the end, while I question the necessity of learning so much "stuff" in a short time, I will do it, likely with the binge and purge method for that which does not really effect my position. My test anxiety, however, will flare up 13 times as I need to pass after each section. So far, so good.

So, if anyone is looking for me for the rest of the week, you know where to find me!

Thanks for checking in.☘