Meetings - Where Do You Fit?

[KristinWW]

I am new to an informatics position, but not new to IT. Silly question, but at what point do you join meetings for an implementation? My original thought was only the weekly vendor meetings, while asking for a roll-up to present to mgmt weekly. IT has requested my presence at EVERY meeting, including paper flow, etc. Unfortunately I have come in at the end of this project, and I sense a sinking ship, yet I'm too new to pull rank. They are still working on flow while implementing inital training in a few weeks, and rollout next month.

[rninformatics, DNP, RN]

Hi KristinWW,

It all depends on what your role and responsiblities are. I asssume you report to the Nursing Deptarment and not to the IS Dept? Look at these meetings as IT's way of including you in "the loop" of communication. This is frequently not the case if you report to another department outside of IT/IS.

I'd also suggest you obtain an agenda as early as you can prior to the meetings and review it to/for:

1) make sure that the content is relevant to your role,

2) your input will be needed on some topic or to make a decision that allows the team to move forward,

3) a potential issue (or isssues) will inpact your area(s)

If you can't attend a meeting make sure you are cc'd on meeting minutes and that you communicate relevant content and changes to your superiors and area(s), etc.

If you think the scenario is that of "a sinking ship" even more reason to be aware of where all the life boats are!

Good Luck!

at what point do you join meetings for an implementation?

[West_Coast_Ken, BSN, RN]

I am new to an informatics position, but not new to IT... IT has requested my presence at EVERY meeting, including paper flow, etc.

If you are new to this position (informatics) AND they are requesting you be there for all meetings, I'd go to 1) get a better understanding of their workings and the implementation team and 2) to show I am part of the team, too.

Unfortunately I have come in at the end of this project, and I sense a sinking ship, yet I'm too new to pull rank. They are still working on flow while implementing inital training in a few weeks, and rollout next month.

Yeah, that's a mess and not at all uncommon, either. But you said you're not new to IT so this shouldn't be a huge surprise to you then. If this ship is sinking, don't give them room to hang any part of their failure on your not showing up as they have requested.

If this thing is a mess, they're probably well aware of it but of course will never admit it openly. This could be your opportunity to shine by using your experience to find an area where you can help this mess improve?