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Amy Colver, MSSA, MA, LISW
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Katherine Easton, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
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Patricia Sullivan
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2025 Themes
February: Workplace & Culture
May: Therapeutic Techniques
August: Palliative Care
November: Caregivers
Learning to Work-From-Home
By Debbie Carey, CSW, OSW-C
In December 2020, I left a busy oncology clinic for a remote project-based work environment. Gone were the team members’ coffee updates and birthday cakes. I no longer bumped into patients in the hallway or met caregivers in the lobby. Initially, the change soothed my pandemic-weathered soul. However, I found myself becoming disinterested and unmotivated. I felt disconnected from our organization and unsure about our vision. I entered graduate school and joined several committees to pick up the pace, but nothing seemed to help. My family told me to embrace the work-from-home benefits, which added to my self-blame. Working from home was idealized by so many. But I had to learn how to be at peace in my new office.
I quickly discovered my need for outside energy. The bustling clinic had kept me moving, but that energy was gone. I attributed my lethargy to laziness until I discovered my creativity blooms when surrounded by activity. Now when projects allow, I drive to our public library, where I can work alone, surrounded by a constant flow of learners. The library is less distracting than coffee shops, and everything is free. Though the Wi-Fi is not secure enough for HIPAA compliance, my productivity on deep thinking projects increases twofold. Most of my doctoral assignments were drafted at the tables in the main room of our county library. It has become an ideal place to work when I feel isolated or sluggish.
I needed to connect to my employer intentionally. I no longer walked through a door bearing the hospital’s logo or answered the phone by announcing the facility’s name. The verbal and visual cues that reminded me where I worked were missing. I bought cardigans that displayed the organization’s logo and wore them to work and the community. I also used branded Zoom backgrounds and added the logo to my email. I strived to identify myself with my employer as often as possible to feel connected to the organization and part of the larger team.
I also missed connecting with others. Remote workers must schedule meetings or send Teams messages to connect with co-workers. Initially, I was timid about reaching out, fearful I was bothering others who had adapted more readily to remote work. But I have found that brief “let me know when you can talk” messages are well-received. I have also learned to grab opportunities to help others because it creates more connection points within my organization and leaves me feeling less invisible. Service is my favorite part of social work, so I watch for opportunities to make my heart sing by serving others.
Finally, I created a space for people to discuss their remote work experience. When I mention to people that I work from home, many comment about my good fortune for an easy commute, lack of office politics, and casual work attire. For years, their responses made me hide my remote work concerns. I was the lucky one. Who was I to complain? However, when I shared my struggles, I found others with the same needs. Allowing people to talk openly about their experiences creates a space where we can resolve issues related to remote work.
All work environments have benefits and challenges; working from home is no different. Being honest about what I needed helped me create strategies for success. Although I continue to prefer to work in person, I am learning to maximize the benefits of working from home.
About the Author

Debbie Carey, CSW, OSW-C
Quality and Education CoordinatorUniversity of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network
Burnside, KY
deborah.carey@uky.edu
Deborah Carey, CSW, OSW-C, is a Quality & Education Coordinator with the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network (MCCAN). Debbie provides support and education to Commission on Cancer accredited facilities across Kentucky...
Read Full Author Bio

Debbie Carey, CSW, OSW-C
Quality and Education CoordinatorUniversity of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network
Burnside, KY
deborah.carey@uky.edu
Deborah Carey, CSW, OSW-C, is a Quality & Education Coordinator with the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network (MCCAN). Debbie provides support and education to Commission on Cancer accredited facilities across Kentucky. Before joining MCCAN, she was the manager and social worker for the Lake Cumberland Cancer Treatment Center of Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, Kentucky. Debbie is a DSW candidate at the University of Kentucky with research interests in improving clinical trial access, enhancing support to oncology staff, and creating oncology social work training opportunities. She enjoys building community resources to meet patient and facility needs and enhancing the skills and uniqueness of each program she serves.
Articles
Learning to Work-From-Home