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joeychitwood · 6 October 2011, 11:17 AM

Tonight, I'm working my final twelve hour night shift in the ER after 26 years as an ER doc (and 35 years of working rotating shifts during school and residency.) No more 6AM heart attacks. No more gang fights on the reservation. No more rape exams. No more people beaten beyond recognition. And no more two-day recoveries after a night shift, during which time I feel like a truck hit me.

So why do I feel so sad? I have two day shifts left next week, and then my ER career is over, and I'm dreading it. Life on the "other side" will be easier. No nights, weekends or holidays. Clinic walk-in patients only. Monday through Thursday. I'm very surprised to find myself feeling melancholy tonight at a time when I thought for sure I'd be celebrating. Weird.

Grissom · 6 October 2011, 11:19 AM

I know the feeling well.......It will pass, in time, although you may, as I have, periodically find yourself missing it, all over again.....

Congratulations on the culmination a long, selfless career, dedicated to helping others!!

Nathan

gqllc · 6 October 2011, 11:22 AM

What is wierd is how you spell "weird"...lol
What you are experiencing is the progression of life! Hang in there Joey as it is just a new chapter in your life. Gotta move forward every day...CONGRAT'S!!!

joeychitwood · 6 October 2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gqllc

What is wierd is how you spell "weird"...lol
What you are experiencing is the progression of life! Hang in there Joey as it is just a new chapter in your life. Gotta move forward every day...CONGRAT'S!!!

Corrected. Apparently I don't write "weird" very often. I guess I'm surprised to be experiencing the opposite feelings I thought I would.

cyglee · 6 October 2011, 11:30 AM

Change can be unnerving, but change can be good. Congrats on a long, purposeful career...time to bring that experience to your next chapter in the healing arts!

Rags · 6 October 2011, 11:36 AM

Congrats Joey. The night shift sucks. I did it for 18 yrs as a NYC Police Officer & by the time I retired I was burnt out. Don't look back just remember the good times you had with the people you worked with. It takes a special person to work the midnight shift, we are a special breed. Not everyone can do it. Now it's time for some normal works hours. Again congrats Doc...

sea-dweller · 6 October 2011, 11:54 AM

Congrats!

One of my part time jobs in college was working in a data center, 2 nights a week on the graveyard shift. Around 3 AM, my body could not stay awake and I took a one hour nap (as my lunch break). The nap helped, but it was tough trying to sleep when I got off work at 7:00 AM.

Glad that I don't have to deal with that anymore!

Brit78 · 6 October 2011, 11:58 AM

Congrads on a selfless career Joey! Now you can stay up all night reading TRF!

East Bay Rider · 6 October 2011, 01:05 PM

Think of all the good people you've helped over the years. I'm sure they would love the chance to thank you and wish you well. Go forward and enjoy the fruits of your labor and their warm wishes. You did your time. Now it's someone else's turn. Enjoy your new career. You still get to help people it's just that you don't have to beat your body up so badly in the process.

rsg · 6 October 2011, 01:20 PM

What you did was tough but somewhere inside you know you helped people. That's a difficult thing to walk away from.

psv · 6 October 2011, 01:37 PM

Thank you for your service and dedication! You deserve some normalcy so enjoy it!

Lisa · 6 October 2011, 02:24 PM

Best wishes, Dr. C. Few know or understand what your career has entailed, and even fewer have what it takes to do the kind of work you do.

I know your family is grateful to have more time with you, and relieved that you finally have a break from the stress.

bodybump · 6 October 2011, 02:34 PM

So are you hitting the road with that bike more often??

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Tonight, I'm working my final twelve hour night shift in the ER after 26 years as an ER doc (and 35 years of working rotating shifts during school and residency.) No more 6AM heart attacks. No more gang fights on the reservation. No more rape exams. No more people beaten beyond recognition. And no more two-day recoveries after a night shift, during which time I feel like a truck hit me.

So why do I feel so sad? I have two day shifts left next week, and then my ER career is over, and I'm dreading it. Life on the "other side" will be easier. No nights, weekends or holidays. Clinic walk-in patients only. Monday through Thursday. I'm very surprised to find myself feeling melancholy tonight at a time when I thought for sure I'd be celebrating. Weird.

fusionstorm · 6 October 2011, 03:31 PM

Congrats on a long and selfless chapter of your career. Enjoy some normalcy now!!

masterserg · 6 October 2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Tonight, I'm working my final twelve hour night shift in the ER after 26 years as an ER doc (and 35 years of working rotating shifts during school and residency.) No more 6AM heart attacks. No more gang fights on the reservation. No more rape exams. No more people beaten beyond recognition. And no more two-day recoveries after a night shift, during which time I feel like a truck hit me.

So why do I feel so sad? I have two day shifts left next week, and then my ER career is over, and I'm dreading it. Life on the "other side" will be easier. No nights, weekends or holidays. Clinic walk-in patients only. Monday through Thursday. I'm very surprised to find myself feeling melancholy tonight at a time when I thought for sure I'd be celebrating. Weird.

My old man was an ER doctor for a similar number of years and went through a similar process when leaving it, some good 15 years ago or so, I don't even remember. He went on to have a great career after that and I am sure you will do the same!

He has a story to tell or two, that's for sure ...

Army_Doc · 7 October 2011, 11:00 AM

im just starting where you left off, but looking forward to the challenge!

drtooth73 · 7 October 2011, 11:19 AM

Enjoy the easy life, Doc

GradyPhilpott · 7 October 2011, 12:42 PM

I worked the night shift for many years while I was getting my education and even afterward for some time and I have to say that working while the rest of the world sleeps and sleeping while the rest of the world works was for me paradise.

Now that I don't work, I live the hours most do, but I can arrange my errands and such to miss the rush hours.

Congratulations on your change in working conditions. I'm not an MD, but I know a little about the adrenaline rushes that come with high pressure work and I think there will be a part of you that will miss that high, but for the most part I think you'll fare well.

You've earned the rest, as it were.

STEELINOX · 7 October 2011, 12:48 PM

So Long NOC Doc, say hello to nl ~ !

You've done an immense service, drinks are on us

Congratulations on escaping the ER

Frogman4me · 7 October 2011, 01:17 PM

Congrats, I am sure the other side will take getting used to but will work out wonderfully for you. Enjoy, cheers.

Kringkily · 7 October 2011, 01:45 PM

you don't know what you miss till it's gone. true story. unless your new adventure is a hell of a lot more interesting to you

SUPERDOC · 7 October 2011, 09:38 PM

I left the ER earlier this year....at the transition point I was having the same feelings...

But you know what, I am surprised how much I DON'T miss it!

I think you will also be...

That constant stress, that perrenial adrenaline, the chronic sleep deprivation..
for many years you just start to accept them as normal...

Just wait until you've worked a few weeks and slept every night!! you will not believe how good it feels...

You will realize that your heart rate and sphincter tone weren't meant to be on high all the time...

You'll notice things that you didn't realize were there - birds chirping, morning dew, stop lights...it is really something.

I may no longer be "super-doc here to save the day" but I find that in the primary care and clinics, in alot of ways you can do more good..

there's alot more to a person's well being than just having a protected airway...

joeychitwood · 8 October 2011, 01:59 AM

Thanks everyone, and thanks SUPERDOC. I slept like a dead man last night after Wednesday's night shift, and today I feel like a truck hit me. I'm not going to miss feeling like this. I am looking forward to hearing a siren without going into "Alert Mode." I have already experienced one positive: I made plans for November without having to check my ER schedule first to see if I'm off or not on that weekend.

Lion · 8 October 2011, 02:26 AM

35 years on the graveyard shift as an ER doctor is commendable I sure do not know how you have kept your sanity. Good luck in your new job!!!

wdalew5 · 8 October 2011, 07:55 AM

This reminds me of the final episode of "scrubs" ! J.D was walking down the hallway towards the exit and he was passing all the friends and people he had come in to relations with. It was a sad ending . Does with kinda of relate to you at all Doc?

larrycarroll · 8 October 2011, 08:05 AM

Very very rewarding and selfless job dr. And my hat is off to you. As an er dr you trully are the backbone of america,think of all the peoples lives you have touched and saved from certain death. Yea i sure am glad we have dedicated physicians like yourself to help the hurting poor citizens of this falling country. One which you could have switched years ago to a g/p family practice but no you did the hard thing and stood and dilivered thank you............

cornerstore · 8 October 2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Tonight, I'm working my final twelve hour night shift in the ER after 26 years as an ER doc (and 35 years of working rotating shifts during school and residency.) No more 6AM heart attacks. No more gang fights on the reservation. No more rape exams. No more people beaten beyond recognition. And no more two-day recoveries after a night shift, during which time I feel like a truck hit me.

So why do I feel so sad? I have two day shifts left next week, and then my ER career is over, and I'm dreading it. Life on the "other side" will be easier. No nights, weekends or holidays. Clinic walk-in patients only. Monday through Thursday. I'm very surprised to find myself feeling melancholy tonight at a time when I thought for sure I'd be celebrating. Weird.

Separation anxiety disorder

I've witnesed most of what you described but as a heart patient waiting for treatment,emerg doctors are a breed unto themselves,enjoy your semi retirement

dalip · 8 October 2011, 08:38 AM

Congratulations on your ER career . It's always hard moving away from an environment that has dominated so much time and energy . Im sure you'll relish the space you now have coming to spend in other ways.

brkanand · 8 October 2011, 08:46 AM

I understand your predicament. There is always something nice to do outside ER. Relax and best of luck! You have earned it! By the way, how about a trip to the Caribbean?

Rolex Junky · 8 October 2011, 08:44 AM

Whom are you trying to fool? Dont kid yourself you will feel miserable without it.

6 October 2011, 11:17 AM	#1
joeychitwood "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Way Up North USA Watch: Rolexes & Tudors Posts: 6,361	My Last Night Shift Ever ..... Tonight, I'm working my final twelve hour night shift in the ER after 26 years as an ER doc (and 35 years of working rotating shifts during school and residency.) No more 6AM heart attacks. No more gang fights on the reservation. No more rape exams. No more people beaten beyond recognition. And no more two-day recoveries after a night shift, during which time I feel like a truck hit me. So why do I feel so sad? I have two day shifts left next week, and then my ER career is over, and I'm dreading it. Life on the "other side" will be easier. No nights, weekends or holidays. Clinic walk-in patients only. Monday through Thursday. I'm very surprised to find myself feeling melancholy tonight at a time when I thought for sure I'd be celebrating. Weird.

6 October 2011, 11:19 AM	#2
Grissom "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Nathan Location: US, Latin America Watch: GMT IIc 18K/SS Posts: 3,349	I know the feeling well.......It will pass, in time, although you may, as I have, periodically find yourself missing it, all over again..... Congratulations on the culmination a long, selfless career, dedicated to helping others!! Nathan __________________ *(Member NAWCC since 1976)* 116713LN GMT-IIc 18k/SS (Z) + 116520 SS Daytona (M) + 16700 GMT Master (A) + 16610LV Submariner (V) + 16600 Sea Dweller (Z) + 116400 Milgauss White Dial (V) + 70330N Tudor Heritage Chronograph Grey w/Black Sub Dials (J) + 5513 Submariner Serif Dial (5.2 Mil) Who else needs an Intervention? (109 297) (137 237) (73 115) (221) (23) (56) (229) P-Club Member #5 RIP JJ Irani - TRF Legend

6 October 2011, 11:22 AM	#3
gqllc "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: Steve Location: Albany NY Watch: Blue Bezel SubC Posts: 1,511	What is wierd is how you spell "weird"...lol What you are experiencing is the progression of life! Hang in there Joey as it is just a new chapter in your life. Gotta move forward every day...CONGRAT'S!!! __________________ K-TT Datejust, Random Blue Bezel SubC

6 October 2011, 11:36 AM	#6
Rags 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Chuck Location: SW Florida Watch: 16233,16610,214270 Posts: 11,196	Congrats Joey. The night shift sucks. I did it for 18 yrs as a NYC Police Officer & by the time I retired I was burnt out. Don't look back just remember the good times you had with the people you worked with. It takes a special person to work the midnight shift, we are a special breed. Not everyone can do it. Now it's time for some normal works hours. Again congrats Doc... __________________ 16233 Y Serial Datejust 16610 Z Serial Submariner 214270 Explorer *114300 Oyster Perpetual* *76200 Tudor Date+Day*

6 October 2011, 11:58 AM	#8
Brit78 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Tim Location: USA Posts: 1,704	Congrads on a selfless career Joey! Now you can stay up all night reading TRF! __________________ 118239, 16710, 16610lv

6 October 2011, 11:30 AM	#5
cyglee "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Gordon Location: California Watch: Gmtll,LV,SD,GV,etc Posts: 627	Change can be unnerving, but change can be good. Congrats on a long, purposeful career...time to bring that experience to your next chapter in the healing arts!

6 October 2011, 11:54 AM	#7
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Congrats! One of my part time jobs in college was working in a data center, 2 nights a week on the graveyard shift. Around 3 AM, my body could not stay awake and I took a one hour nap (as my lunch break). The nap helped, but it was tough trying to sleep when I got off work at 7:00 AM. Glad that I don't have to deal with that anymore!

6 October 2011, 01:05 PM	#9
East Bay Rider "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Bill Location: East Bay RI Watch: GMT-II 16710LN Posts: 12,073	Think of all the good people you've helped over the years. I'm sure they would love the chance to thank you and wish you well. Go forward and enjoy the fruits of your labor and their warm wishes. You did your time. Now it's someone else's turn. Enjoy your new career. You still get to help people it's just that you don't have to beat your body up so badly in the process. __________________ I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man Floating down canal It doesn't use numbers or moving hands It always just says "now" Now you may be thinking that I was had But this watch is never wrong And if I have trouble the warranty said Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On J. Buffett Instagram: eastbayrider46

6 October 2011, 01:20 PM	#10
rsg "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Richard Location: California Posts: 1,092	What you did was tough but somewhere inside you know you helped people. That's a difficult thing to walk away from.

6 October 2011, 01:37 PM	#11
psv 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA & France Posts: 11,078	Thank you for your service and dedication! You deserve some normalcy so enjoy it!

6 October 2011, 02:24 PM	#12
Lisa "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oklahoma city Posts: 15,741	Best wishes, Dr. C. Few know or understand what your career has entailed, and even fewer have what it takes to do the kind of work you do. I know your family is grateful to have more time with you, and relieved that you finally have a break from the stress.

6 October 2011, 03:31 PM	#14
fusionstorm "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Piedmont, CA Watch: various vintage Posts: 2,272	Congrats on a long and selfless chapter of your career. Enjoy some normalcy now!! __________________ 1680 MK II 2.2M (my daily); 1655 MK IV 8.1M (my 1st vintage); 16660 x 4 - 8.0M spider & matte 7.4M, 8.0M, 8.0M; 16610LV F MK I/MK I; 116528 Z; 14060 M COSC; Tudor 75090 Gone.....never forgotten: 14000 F, 14060 V COSC, PAM 048, 16623 F, 1680 MK V 3.1M, 16800 matte 8.3M & 1655 MK IV 7.4M

7 October 2011, 11:00 AM	#16
Army_Doc "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: usa Posts: 137	im just starting where you left off, but looking forward to the challenge!

7 October 2011, 11:19 AM	#17
drtooth73 Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: W. Stutman Location: Motor City Watch: TT GMT IIC Posts: 2,223	Enjoy the easy life, Doc

7 October 2011, 12:42 PM	#18
GradyPhilpott 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Seiko #SRK047 Posts: 34,460	I worked the night shift for many years while I was getting my education and even afterward for some time and I have to say that working while the rest of the world sleeps and sleeping while the rest of the world works was for me paradise. Now that I don't work, I live the hours most do, but I can arrange my errands and such to miss the rush hours. Congratulations on your change in working conditions. I'm not an MD, but I know a little about the adrenaline rushes that come with high pressure work and I think there will be a part of you that will miss that high, but for the most part I think you'll fare well. You've earned the rest, as it were. __________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

7 October 2011, 12:48 PM	#19
STEELINOX 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Sink-O! Location: a praire in AZ Watch: ROLEX-less atm... Posts: 14,021	So Long NOC Doc, say hello to nl ~ ! You've done an immense service, drinks are on us Congratulations on escaping the ER __________________ *Positive Waves Baby* Lug Hole Loyalist / Chamfer Line Inspector INFORTHE WIN SUB-MAH-REEEN-ER ~ !

7 October 2011, 01:17 PM	#20
Frogman4me Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,268	Congrats, I am sure the other side will take getting used to but will work out wonderfully for you. Enjoy, cheers.

7 October 2011, 01:45 PM	#21
Kringkily "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: George Location: New York Watch: Speedmaster, Rolex Posts: 3,082	you don't know what you miss till it's gone. true story. unless your new adventure is a hell of a lot more interesting to you

7 October 2011, 09:38 PM	#22
SUPERDOC "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: R.J. Location: Canada Posts: 1,546	I left the ER earlier this year....at the transition point I was having the same feelings... But you know what, I am surprised how much I DON'T miss it! I think you will also be... That constant stress, that perrenial adrenaline, the chronic sleep deprivation.. for many years you just start to accept them as normal... Just wait until you've worked a few weeks and slept every night!! you will not believe how good it feels... You will realize that your heart rate and sphincter tone weren't meant to be on high all the time... You'll notice things that you didn't realize were there - birds chirping, morning dew, stop lights...it is really something. I may no longer be "super-doc here to save the day" but I find that in the primary care and clinics, in alot of ways you can do more good.. there's alot more to a person's well being than just having a protected airway...

8 October 2011, 01:59 AM	#23
joeychitwood "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Way Up North USA Watch: Rolexes & Tudors Posts: 6,361	Thanks everyone, and thanks SUPERDOC. I slept like a dead man last night after Wednesday's night shift, and today I feel like a truck hit me. I'm not going to miss feeling like this. I am looking forward to hearing a siren without going into "Alert Mode." I have already experienced one positive: I made plans for November without having to check my ER schedule first to see if I'm off or not on that weekend.

8 October 2011, 02:26 AM	#24
Lion "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Leo Location: Midwest Watch: GMT-II 16710 PEPSI Posts: 21,461	35 years on the graveyard shift as an ER doctor is commendable I sure do not know how you have kept your sanity. Good luck in your new job!!! __________________ SS GMT-II 16710 PEPSI(Z-serial#) THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THE TOYS!!! MontBlanc Meisterstuck Doue Silver Barley MontBlanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Signum Proud Card Carrying Member of the Curmudgeons.....Yikes!!!

8 October 2011, 07:55 AM	#25
wdalew5 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: Dale Location: ohio Watch: Rolex,omega,casio Posts: 508	This reminds me of the final episode of "scrubs" ! J.D was walking down the hallway towards the exit and he was passing all the friends and people he had come in to relations with. It was a sad ending . Does with kinda of relate to you at all Doc? __________________ " yes , I do wear the EVH 5150 shoes "

8 October 2011, 08:05 AM	#26
larrycarroll Banned Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: larry Location: everett Watch: 16220 dj grey dial Posts: 66	Very very rewarding and selfless job dr. And my hat is off to you. As an er dr you trully are the backbone of america,think of all the peoples lives you have touched and saved from certain death. Yea i sure am glad we have dedicated physicians like yourself to help the hurting poor citizens of this falling country. One which you could have switched years ago to a g/p family practice but no you did the hard thing and stood and dilivered thank you............

8 October 2011, 08:38 AM	#28
dalip "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Dalip Location: Mumbai and Perth Watch: Rolex PAM Omega Posts: 18,656	Congratulations on your ER career . It's always hard moving away from an environment that has dominated so much time and energy . Im sure you'll relish the space you now have coming to spend in other ways. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------ *"The liar's punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else." George Bernard Shaw*

8 October 2011, 08:46 AM	#29
brkanand 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: DrK Location: India Watch: 4=YMDaytonaGMTHulk Posts: 7,052	I understand your predicament. There is always something nice to do outside ER. Relax and best of luck! You have earned it! By the way, how about a trip to the Caribbean?

8 October 2011, 08:44 AM	#30
Rolex Junky Banned Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Lorenzo Location: Netherlands Watch: 116710LN & 116201 Posts: 849	Whom are you trying to fool? Dont kid yourself you will feel miserable without it.

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