Apprehension as I leave the ED

[jrw002]

Hello!

I have been in the ED for about 5 years now and have recently accepted a position in a PACU. My reasons for leaving were the desire for a more health conscious schedule (being at the hospital overnight for four nights a week on top of grad school has done a number on my health) and a hope to return to direct patient care. I have been working the last year in a supervisory role and have come to miss caring for people. I have found leadership stressful, back biting, and all around a negative environment.

I can tell you I am nervous. I am scheduled to transfer to this brand new environment in the next month and while I feel like this change has the potential to be very positive, but there is the major underlying fear of "what won't I know>" and "What will I miss?"

I finally came to the internal decision that life isn't over when I accept the transfer, the ED will ALWAYS be there. I suppose I'm here searching for reassurance. Has anyone ever left and come back the ED? What was your experience?

[ERRNDeans]

Hi,

I left the ER after 16 years (I am still there PRN on a limited basis) I am now working as a school nurse with a very very nice schedule and a lot less stress. ER is a very demanding job/schedule especially if you are in school. I left because I could be home for my kids after school and I also wanted to cut some stress out of my life.

I think those of us who work in the ER have a mentality similar to the military. We will always have our co-workers backs. We work in the "trenches." It is hard still for me to have a "nice" job and not work myself to the bone, I think I feel guilty about it. But the best thing about being a nurse is that you can change your specialty. And in your case you are doing it for something better, a master's degree. I think you made a good decision. And you are right, the ER ain't going away anytime soon.