you hit the nail on the head with that one, heather! also, especially in er, you often are looking out for each other, and rely upon each other. ditto for ems-paramedics and firefighters! i have always maintained that the closer to people a person works, the less they get paid. btw, my husband of almost 6 years used to be an emt and volunteer firefighter-and my dad is a fetired fireman. there is just something about the professions that make life a little easier to take, and understand, if they're shared!