By Brenda Poynter, MHA, BSW, CSFA, CST, FAST

Thirteen years ago, I made the decision to transition from working in the operating room to teaching full time with only a year of experience as an adjunct educator. Like most of my colleagues, I came straight out of the clinic with only a fraction of what I needed to succeed. I was taking on the unknown and becoming a program director for two programs, adding an unanticipated administrative aspect to my new job.

Transitioning from the clinic to the classroom has many challenges, but there are a few key tips to survive, and even thrive, those first few years. Staying organized, knowing when to ask for help and learning to say no are all mechanisms that lead to success as a program director.

Yearly Task Calendar: One Tool to Manage a Flexible Schedule

While a flexible schedule