Riding the Career Bus: Detours, Speed Bumps, and Scenic Routes on My Professional Journey

Ever felt like a pancake because a colleague or friend tossed you under the metaphorical bus?  You're left flattened under a mound of unjust responsibilities, criticisms, and almost comical accusations. Here's a classic, from my "Best of Betrayals" album. Back at Embu PGH, my chums accused me of being stubborn and spying from behind patient curtains during ward rounds. Who does that? I wasn't planning a surprise party! The comedy of errors didn't stop there. This debacle reached the hospital administrator, who then zoomed up to the Provincial Director of Medical Services with the bright idea of shipping me off to Moyale. Feeling like a marked spy, I was a cocktail of resentment and disenchantment. But wait for the twist! In what felt like a speed-dating round, the director resolved my case in 15 minutes flat, promoting me to Provincial Nutritionist instead. Who's laughing now? Riding this career bus has been no walk in the park! I've had more mornings ...

My last post gave you a sneak peek into the humble beginnings of my nutrition journey. Fast forward to today, and we've traded our nutrition hats for the hefty helmets of food security and livelihoods. Let me tell you, the commute between the two has been quite an informative joyride, albeit with a few speed bumps. It's like hopping into a different vehicle altogether; I've had to dust off my creative cap, fuel up on endless knowledge, and navigate the winding roads of this new terrain. Now that I've taken the driver's seat of the CASCADE bus in Kenya, it feels like I've struck some silver, but I'm still searching for that diamond and gold! It's a chance to shape the fresh minds of young nutrition service providers in the counties, all while pressing the pedal to the metal for better policies supporting healthy diets. Indeed, this journey is far from over!

Ah , this little name tag takes me on a hilarious trip down memory lane, reminding me of where my illustrious career in the world of nutrition began. Can you believe it? It's been a whopping 18 years since I sauntered into Embu Provincial General Hospital (now referred to as Embu Level 5 Hospital), fresh out of college, with stars in my eyes. I'll never forget the nurse who sternly scolded me, claiming that "nutritionists belong in the kitchen!"😖.  Talk about a real blow to my ego. But fear not, my friends, for I gathered every ounce of courage to enlighten that nurse about the crucial role of clinical nutrition in improving a patient's prognosis. It took some time for the other health cadres to accept us (there were only six of us in the department back then), but boy, was it worth it. Now, let me share the funniest memory of all. Brace yourselves! Back in those days, nutritionists wore bright yellow uniforms to signify the mighty "egg yolk." Can you ...