Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vanessa Wood. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Vanessa, appreciate you joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

I work full-time as a Registered Medical Assistant for a busy surgical practice in Knoxville, Tennessee. I’ve been at my current job for just over 10 years, and had worked for another surgeon for almost 10 years to this, so in all, I’ve been in the medical field for 20 years. When my first medical assistant job came to an end, I was unemployed for almost seven months. During that time, I decided to really work on my blog. I had started my blog – “Green Acres Meets Paris” – in January 2012, but was not monetizing my blog at the time. I just wanted to write and began featuring style posts, aptly named, “Dress Form Outfits”, featuring outfits styled on my vintage dress form.
Because I was not monetizing my blog at that time, I was still looking for a full-time paying job. Luckily, I found a job as a Registered Medical Assistant for two surgeons – one is a dedicated breast cancer surgeon, and the other is a busy general surgeon.
I’m not one change jobs at the drop of a hat, mainly because I don’t like change. I believe that having a good work ethic, showing my loyalty to not only the doctors but to the company, and being willing and able to put up with the many changes in the medical field has helped me to succeed in my current position. It was never my goal growing up to be a medical assistant, because I couldn’t stand the site of blood and was a bit weak stomached when it came to the “gory stuff” in the medical field. But because I’ve had the opportunity to work with some outstanding surgeons, the gory stuff became interesting and the rest is history.
I’m extremely happy where I’ve ended up. Have I had opportunities to move on or move up in my field? Yes, but for me, it’s not necessarily about moving on or moving up. For me, it’s about the doctors I work with and my relationship with my co-workers. I truly love my job, I love the doctors I work with, and I love my co-workers, and combining all of this means that I’m a happy employee.
As for my blog… I have taken a temporary hiatus. On July 24, 2021, Michael, my husband of 22 years, passed away from Covid. I just couldn’t find the motivation to write. Going to work has been a bit of a welcomed distraction from grief, however, my grief is always with me. I’m just learning how to manage it. Some days are better than others, but every day is a reminder that my husband is not here with me to create memories or to share the good times or the bad times.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Right after college, I worked as a newspaper reporter. I then moved into public relations; however, the expectations placed on me as the first female PR coordinator at a private Christian university were unrealistic, even though I exceeded those expectations time and time again. I decided that I just needed a change. I lucked into my current job as an RMA, but I’ve been in this field for 20 years no and I love it. I help patients and their families cope with difficult diagnoses, sometimes holding their hands or offering a shoulder to cry on. I often say, “I’m just here to be a blessing”, but I believe that. I think what sets me apart from others is my heartfelt compassion for our patients and my ability to talk with patients and their families on a level that makes them feel comfortable and relaxed.
As for my blog, I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve managed to make it successful without monetizing it or feeling the need to have a handful of affiliate programs or sponsors. I’m also proud of the name of my blog and tagline – “Green Acres Meets Paris” – just a city girl in the country.
I would love my followers to know that I haven’t given up on my blog. I just need some time to grief the loss of my husband, Michael. I plan to get back to blogging at the beginning of 2023. I feel like now I can use my experience to help others. I’m hoping that by writing about my loss and my journey with grief, I can help others who might be going through something similar. I just want my blog and my words to be a blessing to someone.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I think being willing to go above and beyond the expectations of my job has helped me succeed. I don’t look at my job as a Medical Assistant as a burden. I look at it as an opportunity to help someone during a difficult time. As for my blog, I think not giving up on my dream and passion to be a writer has helped me be successful, even during this hiatus.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Trying to be perfect was something I had to unlearn. I also had to learn how to be confident without being cocky. Both of these lessons pertain not only to my job as a Medical Assistant, but as a blogger. Being perfect and cocky will only hurt patient care. I’m human and I’m far from perfect, but I give everything in my being to my job and to the care of my patients. As a blogger, FOMO and trying to compare myself and my blog to other bloggers and their success was really tearing away at my confidence. About six years ago, I attended a BlogHer conference in Los Angeles, California. I’d never been to a blog conference, nor had I ever been to LA, so both were firsts for me. The first day was so hard and I struggled with that feeling that I wasn’t good enough or that my blog was not as successful as all of the other bloggers in attendance. I called my husband and cried, telling him that I just wanted to go home. He told me that I deserved to be at that blog conference just like everyone else. He told me to put my big girl panties on and walk into that conference like I truly belonged there. And that’s exactly what I did the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that. I left there with connections, with new friends, and new ideas for my blog.
That’s how I try to approach life now… that I deserve to belong anywhere I go.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vanessahwood.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/vanessa_h_wood
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenacresmeetsparis

Image Credits
Jessie on a Journey (all photos of my in NYC)