RNO2

First, I would like to say "thank you" to you amazing people that have dealt with this nightmare. You guys have definitely gone above and beyond and although it may not feel like it right now, you will definitely be remembered in the future by those who follow in your footsteps. I bow to the Masters. Secondly, run. Run hard and run fast into a more nurse friendly capacity. I'm 53 and have been in the nursing field since '95. I started as a CNA and worked my way up. I've worked in many different settings over the years and the one thing I have learned. In the eyes of the "uppers", we are expendable, (no great surprise there, huh?) we are an expense as we do not generate income. We were taught in school that nursing was, " a calling". What a load of crap. LOL. We break our bodies down lifting and tugging on people 3 times our size, the physical, emotional and mental abuse is outrageous, and make no mistake, you are (in their eyes, replaceable before the ink gets dry on your resignation letter. They chew us up and spit us out, yet we continue to stay. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if there's one thing I've learned after all these years is PROTECT YOURSELF! There is nothing, and I do mean NOTHING worth your own sanity. Take a break, get some counseling if you're into that type of thing and don't feel guilty about self preservation. The uppers don't care. Sorry if I sound cynical, but I'm too old to start over, and too young to retire. I hate to say this, but as much as I used to love nursing, if I had known it would turn into this, I'd never gotten into it. It used to be fun. Hang in there. You're dedication has not gone unnoticed.