Note from the Interim Director: Discovery, potential, and a partial goodbye

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

The theme of the ACDIS 2024 conference was Discover and, per usual, I think the ACDIS team hit it out of the park: who among us could deny the accuracy of this theme for the CDI Universe? However, though the CDI Universe is region of infinity that one could further probe and discuss for the next 375 years (and onward…), I want to reflect on something a little closer to orbit, a bit smaller in scope, but vast as there are stars in the sky and dark as an eclipsed Indianapolis afternoon: I’d like to discuss our potential.

Potential is generally used to describe a currently unrealized ability. It is what one could be if that ability was discovered, fostered, and perfected. We often look at those in their youth and note their potential as they embark on a quest of self-discovery (I am guilty of that when I look at our ACDIS team members!), and, in fact, I take great joy in watching this process of discovery occur.

However, many of us are guilty of seeing the youth as the sole possessors of potential. We do this despite the fact that we all, no matter our age or level of experience, possess potential. As we grow in our personal and professional lives, our foci and goals will change. When we achieve one level of potential, we need to then refocus onto the next level or to an entirely different challenge.

To discover our potential, we need to have a commitment to achieve. We need to seek challenges and growth both personally and professionally. Perhaps I am biased, but I believe this drive to be a common trait in CDI professionals. We are overachievers by nature. We recognize that commitment within ourselves and sometimes we even have to be brave. Bravery is required. To achieve your potential, you need to put yourself "out there"; you need to try something new. You need to be bold. This might require a little help from your friends. There have been times in my life where had I not had assistance or even a push from others, I never would have considered a specific quest or reached new goals.

I took a semester of Physics in high school, but to be honest, I found reasons to skip it more than I attended. That said, I would like to take a few moments to discuss potential as defined by physics. In the realm of physics, potential energy is the energy held by an object because of its position relative to other things, stresses within itself, its electric charge, or other such factors.

In order to achieve potential, the object must be acted upon. This means for us as individuals, we must either choose to make the change or depend upon the circumstances/another individual to provide the changes. No matter how it happens, however, there must be a change in the status quo.

I have had a sign by my desk for almost 30 years. It repeats the words of Neale Donald Walsch: “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.” I believe I have chosen this as my mantra in life because I am a person that truly loves to be comfortable. I like being warm, but not too warm; I can’t go very long without food; and I love nothing more than easing into my bed with its feather quilt, heated mattress pad, soft pillows, and good books. (Comfort is very important to me.)

That said, I have another skill that I have always been proud of: I am comfortable with the uncomfortable. This is a skill that is imperative to successful practice as a CDI professional. I will step into situations that I am not exactly prepared for; I will enter conversations where I am not the smartest person in the room; I choose to hang with individuals who have more skill, more knowledge, and more experience than me. These choices—and the overall choice to live at the edge of my comfort zone—have granted me the ability to achieve my potential more often than not.

I will acknowledge that standing on the edge of your comfort zone is much like leaning over the edge of a cliff, readying oneself to fly: It is scary. In moments such as these, I ask questions such as: Will my wings keep me aloft? Will a hawk swoop in to make me his dinner? Will I be cold in the headwinds? Will I have to demonstrate a strength I am not sure I have?

The cool thing is that when you live on the edge of that cliff, on the edge of your comfort zone, you don’t know what will happen. You are guaranteed challenges, but that is how you discover the potential that lies deep inside you. When you push yourself off the cliff, no matter what, you will grow and learn. Your next flight will be better. You may not discover your potential on the first try, but you will if you choose to try again.

Recently, there have been multiple posts on social media speaking to this concept:

Your first workout will be bad.

Your first podcast will be bad.

Your first speech will be bad.

Your first video will be bad.

Your first ANYTHING will be bad.

But you can’t make your 100th without making your first.

So put your ego aside, and start.

I remember ending my first week working as a CDI. I went into the HIM director’s office full of failure and anxiety and said, “I can’t do this. The physicians are not supportive. I can’t read their handwriting. I am so confused by the coding guidance. I am not sure what a principal diagnosis is and who can remember all those Coding Clinics?!” She looked at me, smiled, and said, “I’ll see you Monday morning, Laurie.” She saw my potential, and she was going to support me in the process.

I remember the first CDI boot camp I taught. I was horrible, disorganized, lacked confidence, the coders scared me, and so I told Brian Murphy that, perhaps, I needed to step away. I was not meant to do this. However, an attendee of that course messaged me the following week to tell me I was doing great and to keep it up. She saw my potential.

I still get nervous because I am still trying to reach my potential. We should all be trying to reach our potential. This is why I get so excited to see first-time attendees or first-time speakers at our conferences; new members on our leadership council; new members writing for our journal; or new members volunteering for our committees. The one thing I am very proud of is that ACDIS provides a safe environment for our members to work at discovering their potential. That is due to our members, who celebrate each other and are always willing to assist others in addressing their challenges. I love to see members encouraging others to grow in their potential.

Sometimes we need assistance to reach our potential. A little push or a less subtle shove.

Listen to your coworkers, your family, and friends. Often, we don’t see our own potential, but others do. Be accepting if they reach out to assist you. Remember our physics lesson: In order for an object to actuate its potential, it must be acted upon. Sometimes it is a call to action, an opportunity arising, a challenge that appears. Regardless of what it is, the important part is that you take the chance.

My first experience with ACDIS was many years ago. Melissa Varnavas sent out a request for individuals to write for the ACDIS blog. I can’t remember what I sent her, but I was so excited when I saw it in print. Me[!], the person who was going to quit after the first week working in the role of CDI, wrote something others were going to read!

A year or two later, I saw a call for instructors for HCPro. I went to the same HIM director that gave me support on that day I wanted to quit and asked, “Do you think I could do this?” She unselfishly said, “If you don’t apply, I will apply for you.” She encouraged me and pushed me, even though she knew she would have an empty position if I left. I will always be thankful to her; her encouragement has allowed me to grow in ways I would never have expected. Don’t ever underestimate the positive impact you can have on others.

I have been able to travel and teach internationally, meet amazing people, learn, and grow every single day since. If I had not welcomed her push, I might not be writing to you today. Nevertheless, perhaps the most amazing people I have been able to work with are those on our ACDIS team and those in HCPro. They have become family to me over the last decade. Each pushes and supports the other in achieving their potential and, to me, that is beautiful.

Another critically important part of that team, however, is the membership of ACDIS—you, dear reader! Our readers, our committee members, our speakers, those who volunteer to write for our CDI Journal or speak on our podcast—the CDI community is an amazing group of professionals. You have fueled me to discover my potential more often than not.

I am now going to come full circle, here, and bring us back to the concept of the comfort zone. There is always something new to learn and, in leaving the comfort zone, it is important to lose your fear—the fear of making mistakes, of being judged. Open yourself up to learning and enjoying the experience of something new. In order to discover our potential, we must always stretch over the edge of that cliff, working towards new goals and new objectives.

So, I am heeding my own advice and embracing this full on in 2024. As many of you know, and for those who don’t know the worst kept secret ever, I will be stepping away from my role at ACDIS. It is not that I think I am finished learning, growing, or teaching, but I would like to seek my potential in different areas, as well. I want to hone my photography skills and attempt to write a piece of fiction, perhaps a story in which a character is a CDI specialist; but please know, I won’t linger in my comfort zone for long.

I am committed to stretching the parameters every single day.

I still plan to contribute to our profession and spend time with the amazing people I mentioned before, but it will no longer be my sole focus. You may, on occasion, hear my voice or see my name in print—I will still be following the evolution of CDI and will certainly be engaged in the community—but not as once before.

So, you may ask, what will happen with ACDIS?

The ACDIS team will continue to discover their potential. They will continue to assist you, our members, by providing opportunities for networking, education, community learning, certification support, and professional development. You will see familiar faces in the leadership team.

Over the last few years many of you have grown to appreciate Rebecca Hendren. She has contributed her skill and leadership to ACDIS and its members. Rebecca leads our editorial staff and our instructor team, keeping us focused and fostering the creativity that this team is so proud of. She is especially skilled in assisting others in discovering their potential and thoroughly committed to our members. Rebecca will now serve as the director of ACDIS.

By her side, contributing as the thought leader, will be the professional voice of Deanne Wilk. Deanne is a long-time member of ACDIS and a former member of the ACDIS Advisory Board. She has served as an ACDIS chapter leader and has spoken numerous times on our podcast and podiums. I knew she was an amazing choice a year ago when we welcomed her to our instructor team. She is now stepping up to be the CDI education director.

The combination of these two women, and the teams working along with them, have been and will continue to be AMAZING for ACDIS! I am so excited to see them progress as they discover their potential and assist others in doing so.

In closing, I want to thank you all. I have enjoyed representing this community and am so proud of all we have accomplished together. The time has come to get outside my comfort zone, to jump from the cliff, to become the object in motion, and to take on new challenges. These past ten years have been a wonderful experience for me, and I have not regretted and will not regret it one bit.

Editor’s note: Prescott is the interim director of ACDIS and the CDI education director for HCPro and ACDIS. Contact her at laurie.prescott@hcpro.com.