RES 5040: Teacher as Researcher (spring 09)

Since the school systems now have a hiring freeze and I will finish with my MLS in the middle of a school year, it seems to me that I will most likely be stuck in my current job for at least another year and a half. Therefore, it makes sense to me that I relate my project to my current job.

I work at Mission hospital as a Unit Secretary on a unit that is currently undergoing some major changes. Due to staff dissatisfaction with our Manager, a mediation team was brought in, assessed the problems, talked with staff and observed the changes for a period of time. When no improvements were made and staff satisfaction was still low, our Manager resigned. We now have a new Manager, the only man in our entire department, and he is making some changes. Some of the changes he wants to implement affect the way that my position currently performs. For example, there are tasks that we do that require us to leave the main desk for short periods of time. He wants that main desk staffed at all times, no exceptions. Because we are in the beginning of this process, I plan on seeing him on Monday and asking permission to survey the current Unit Secretaries and Assistants, possibly even the nurses to ask for ideas and suggestions for how to make this happen. This will probably involve reassigning the duties that we have that require us to the desk to other people. I also feel that the results of such surveys may help identify other issues he may want to address in the near future. I have a slight sense of dread (I despise confrontations of any kind and, to me, seeing my Manager in his office about anything is equivolent to a confrontation) but am also excited about the possibility of change to my current role and other roles that affect it.

How does this idea sound to all of you? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. If I need to be more specific about any of the details, just say so.
~Sherry Fender