Is it that you are not feeling, or that you have suppressed those feelings and find them coming out in other ways?

Do you dread going to work? Do you get satisfaction from helping people even if you don't feel "sad"?

I once said that if I empathize with you, I can help you. But, if I sympathize with you, I am too involved and can't be objective.

Perhaps you are confusing empathy with "not feeling sad". If you feel sad all the time, you would not be very effective.

Then again, I know I've had to step away from ER twice (once working psych and once in an office doing pediatric advice) in order to get my perspective back.

It is possible to be drained "dry" of emotion and that means you need time, somehow, somewhere to get away, to do something else. Believe me, the urge for ER will come back. At least it did for me.

__________________
The ER is the only place where you are rewarded for efficiency by getting more patients!

Kim
http://www.emergiblog.com