Last night on Sunday - very emotional

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Wow. I worked my last shift as a civilian (I hope - I'm planning to stay in!) staff RN Sunday night.

It feels very strange to not have to sleep all day today to go to work tonight (typically after my first weekend I work six out of seven - F, S, S, then T, W, T).

The nurses on my unit are at the top of my list of reasons as to why the Air Force took me. I could never, ever have done this without them. Sure, Duke University gave me the book knowledge I needed, and my instructors showed me what I needed to know, but these men and women helped CREATE an RN that the Air Force obviously believes they need, and I'm quite humbled by the thought.

I realize how much of it was down to me - to take their experience and use it correctly - but if it hadn't been there to start with, I'd never be where I am now. And I told them that. And it wasn't just the RNs - it was the MDs (we have some great ones, really, we do), the PAs (one in particular is THE BOMB), the NAs (who know all the tricks), the unit coordinators - I don't know that I'll ever work in such a great dynamic again.

I can't believe I got so lucky on my first job.

[Skeletor]

Congratulations and good luck as you embark on the next leg of your career journey

[Spencer2002]

i had mixed emotions about my last shift. what do i say or will i come back to visit? i left my job because of the terrible work environment and negative moral. the af was the best option when i started looking for another job. i’m so thankful that i was selected!! the boise nursing market is really depressed right now.

[athena55, BSN, RN]

I kinda know how you feel....I have been off the schedule for 10 days now, but because I am working on a project I am still in and about the MEDCEN. I frequent the ICU and I see all the people I have worked with for the last 18 months.....Still waiting on my TCS orders but I'm off to Bragg in 12 days

I hope that when I finish up this deployment that the majority of people I have worked with (nights) will still be here when I return. A great crew of professional, caring, respected nurses, both military and civilian. I, too, have been blessed.