Note from the ACDIS Interim Director: CDI success requires imagination

by Laurie L. Prescott, RN, MSN, CCDS, CDIP, CRC

The skill of imagination is celebrated in children. It is encouraged in their play as both a helpful tool and a fun diversion, an extravagance of time only reserved for the young. But as adults, we often lose sight of how important imagination is within our lives. We need to turn away from thinking imagination is not required of adults and apply it to our daily lives both personally and professionally.

Merriam-Webster defines imagination as, “the act, process, or power of forming a mental picture of something not present and especially of something a person has not known or experienced.” Personally, I love that the definition uses the word power. I believe our imagination does give us power—power to forecast the future, to create new processes and practices, and to find new areas for which we might provide impact.

I challenge you all to look specifically at your own professional path or the path of your CDI department and dare to dream. If you had no limitations, what goals would you set? What new initiatives would you implement? Would you continue your education? Would you apply for that new position? Would you pitch a new CDI initiative to senior management? Would you introduce new work processes? Would you reach out to other departments to coordinate new initiatives? Be brave and identify the plan and work to put it into action. You can’t succeed if you never try.

The great thing about ACDIS is that there is a ready-made group of experts in their field who want to assist you in those dreams. Whether you reach out through our boards and committees, start a conversation on the Forum, become a speaker for one our educational offerings, or participate in your local chapter, you are fostering imagination and growth in both yourself and the greater community of CDI.

Most importantly, please don’t ever stop using your imagination. That is how we learn, grow, and accomplish great things. Imagination is responsible for most of innovations we take for granted today. If you only let yourself imagine, what could you create?

Editor’s note: Prescott is the interim director and director of CDI education for ACDIS, based in Middleton, Massachusetts. Contact her at lprescott@acdis.org.