Dear Helpdesk gives advice to an Infection preventionist preparing for a new leadership role after a year of part-time consulting.
Dear Helpdesk: Innoculation your work life with IP wisdom from Infection Control Today.
Dear Helpdesk,
How would you recommend that infection preventionists (IPs) prepare for a new IP leadership position? They have been leaders before, but they’ve been out of an acute care health care setting for the past year, consulting part-time while taking care of personal and family health.
Sincerely,
Refreshed & Ready
Dear Refreshed & Ready,
Congratulations on this exciting opportunity to step back into an IP leadership role! It sounds like you've spent a year focusing on personal and family health, which is a powerful decision that shows incredible strength and commitment to your well-being. When I read your submission, I had this vivid image of you standing at the threshold of a new chapter, refreshed and ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Yes, a new job comes with its own set of adjustments that may feel magnified when returning to a leadership role. Yet, I cannot help but wonder if you are more prepared and ready than you realize. You’ve leveraged your time away to prioritize your needs while keeping your skillset current through consulting. You are also an experienced leader who is choosing to return to a leadership role.
A confident young man walking into a medical setting.
(Credit: Author with AI)
When considering what you need to feel prepared for your new role, I invite you to create an opportunity for some self-awareness and introspective reflection. To guide you, I have some questions for you to consider. These questions are framed to create a hypothetical visual in your head of a possible future that touches the deepest parts of yourself, thereby motivating change. When you are ready, reflect on these powerful questions broken into sections. Consider keeping a notepad or a journal nearby to write your reflective thoughts in response to each question. Each section will guide you in uncovering what you need to transition into your new role with a plan and goals you can feel good about.
Reflecting on Leadership:
Reflecting on Time Off:
Reflection to Reemergence:
For this last section, drawing on your newfound insights, consider what you need and what goals you need to set to get started.
Stepping to the Next Chapter
Thank you for the opportunity to accompany you on your journey. This new chapter holds immense potential and possibility. You are ready; you've prioritized your health, taken time for introspection, and created a plan for success. You are rejoining leadership and the acute care world with a wealth of personal and professional experience. You will walk into your first day with a renewed perspective and a deeper understanding of yourself.
So, as you step into this exciting leadership role, embrace the unknown with confidence. Reflect on your past, leverage lessons learned, and continue to prioritize your well-being. Life isn’t about the destination; it’s about the journey.
Building Infection Prevention Capacity in the Middle East: A 7-Year Certification Success Story
June 17th 2025Despite rapid development, the Middle East faces a critical shortage of certified infection preventionists. A 7-year regional initiative has significantly boosted infection control capacity, increasing the number of certified professionals and elevating patient safety standards across health care settings.
Streamlined IFU Access Boosts Infection Control and Staff Efficiency
June 17th 2025A hospital-wide quality improvement project has transformed how staff access critical manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs), improving infection prevention compliance and saving time through a standardized, user-friendly digital system supported by unit-based training and interdepartmental collaboration.
Swift Isolation Protocol Shields Chicago Children’s Hospital During 2024 Measles Surge
June 17th 2025When Chicago logged its first measles cases linked to crowded migrant shelters last spring, one pediatric hospital moved in hours—not days—to prevent the virus from crossing its threshold. Their playbook offers a ready template for the next communicable-disease crisis.
Back to Basics: Hospital Restores Catheter-Associated UTI Rates to Prepandemic Baseline
June 16th 2025A 758-bed quaternary medical center slashed catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) by 45% over 2 years, proving that disciplined adherence to fundamental prevention steps, not expensive add-ons, can reverse the pandemic-era spike in device-related harm.
Global Patients, Local Risks: Why Medical Tourism Demands Infection Preventionists’ Attention
June 16th 2025At APIC25, infection prevention leader Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC, will spotlight the growing risks and overlooked responsibilities associated with medical tourism. Her session urges infection preventionists to engage with a global health trend that directly impacts US care settings.