Last night on Sunday - very emotional

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.