Does the stress level taper down at all?

I've worked different areas at different places and they all have that to some degree. Every job has the same politics. There is no Shangra La. (But if there is someone tell us!)

You know who to avoid and what groups not to get sucked into. And just be proffesional with PITA docs. You are ther to work, not be BFFs.

You can be friendly and make friends, but I've preferred to keep my social life and work life seperate. I do my job and leave it there and go home and complain to your real friends or us.

If after a year you can't stand the place, then go. you may find a place that is a little better, or maybe worse. Good luck!

I agree with Dawngloves - have a full life outside of work and no matter where you go there will ALWAYS be providers who are total PITA's. That's not to say this is a unit worth staying on, but give it time. It might be just a matter of getting adjusted to it, or maybe after 6months it'll be time to move on. I've been working in various fields for about 15 years and each time I've begun a new job I've had to tell myself "just give it 6months. If you still don't like it, move on." I've had a lot of random jobs, but there's only been one where I decided after the six months that I needed to leave (the last one!). So give it time, and let us know how it goes!