My Last Night Shift Ever .....

[ducatidoc]

I'll bet by Monday you'll hope you never see an ER again.

[Dilemma]

No more gang fights on the reservation. No more rape exams. No more people beaten beyond recognition.

Here? In Minnesota? No way Jose'. :)

[keschete]

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.

I was an ER NUrse before I became an NP. I even worked Charity New Orleans, Pre-Katrina. So I know how you feel. It really is a love hate relationship with me and the ER. I loved it, but I hated how cynical it made me.

You will enjoy the clinic, but you will always miss the ER. I have been out of the ER and working as an NP for 14 years, part was in a peds clinic and the last 6 years ENT. I love it, wouldn't go back, but I still miss the ER.

Best wishes! I do know exactly how you feel!!

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Dilemma

Here? In Minnesota? No way Jose'. :)

One of the first nights here in "nice" Minnesota, a single ambulance showed up with five gunshot victims from a gang fight up north. Also, the very first patient I saw here as a real ER doc pulled a gun on me. I had my doubts about this town, but it turned out to be a great place to raise a family.

[Dilemma]

I had my doubts about this town,

Born and raised here. East Sider, later a Rice Streeter. NOT garden spots. (Moved to the 'burbs 10 years ago)

But overall, a nice place. OUTSTANDING motorcycle area. :)

[jnkay]

Congratulations on the end an era and the beginning of a new one. Like Superdoc said, there is more to life that we miss when we don't slow down.

[Boopie]

Wow! What a great career, dedicated to the public.

[Watch Professor]

Congratulations on a truly wonderful and heroic career. You deserve the reduced hours a clinic experience will give you. My son just started his surgical career after obtaining a PhD, MD, 5 years of residency and 2 years of fellowships. His hours are not much better than his residency years, but at least he's getting paid a living wage.

I suggest that you celebrate by buying a new watch- perhaps a Rolex?

[pacifichrono]

Congrats a chapter in your career you can be very proud of. Sounds like you deserve the "rest" that you're about to enjoy.

My brother worked the night shift in the machine shop of a large manufacturing company for quite a few years, then bought out a guy retiring and named his machine shop (K)night Machining.

[joeychitwood]

Two day shifts left, tomorrow and Thursday. Of course, I'm waxing nostalgic right now, but while driving this morning in my truck (equipped with radio, lights and siren) I heard three ambulances go out on runs, two of them serious, and I felt good knowing that very soon, I don't have to go into pucker-mode.

[Dr.B]

Medicine is rough on us and very few people truly appreciate what we do.

Good luck Joey! You have been working all your life for this....it's here buddy....embrace it and enjoy.....sit back and.............

[Johny]

will you get to keep your tazer joey?

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Johny

will you get to keep your tazer joey?

If I'd had a TASER, I might not have been beaten to unconsciousness in March. I have pepper spray and CS spray, but my single experience with sprays was not positive. My chances of trouble in a clinic setting will be pretty minimal thankfully. I could be overcome by the smell of Estee Lauder on an old lady.....

[TswaneNguni]

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.

I salute you my Colleague Enjoy the quieter job,you have done your duties in the trenches,the first line battlefield.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

If I'd had a TASER, I might not have been beaten to unconsciousness in March. I have pepper spray and CS spray, but my single experience with sprays was not positive. My chances of trouble in a clinic setting will be pretty minimal thankfully. I could be overcome by the smell of Estee Lauder on an old lady.....

i remember the thread bud. happy retirement from the er.

[Jonathan007]

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.

Hi Joey

When I finnish any job (I'm a contractor) I feel like that and thats the nature of my work. Its so hard not too, its been your life my friend, time will help.

Good luck

Jon