Originally Posted by Ridgewoman

Are there any ex-ER nurses out there, who have found happiness and fulfillment in another venue? Not only is my stamina failing for 12+hr. shifts on concrete floors, but my body's betraying me, too. I had a hip replaced 4 yrs. ago, and never regained normal strength and gait. Then, I fell & fractured that femur distal to the prosthesis on May 31st. Add to these the MVP that routinely sends me into bigeminy with minimal exertion, and worsening chronic knee problems, and I question whether or not returning to ER is something I can - or want - to do; even if I manage to pass the physical when my disability runs out.

And yet... What else is there that satisfies the way ER nursing does? I love the flexibility in my schedule, and not being locked into a "M-F, 8hrs./day, weekends & 2wks. off per year" job. I love working only 3 days per week, for fulltime benefits. I love the fact that every day is different. I love being able to intervene for patients in a way that produces positive, here & now results. I love the autonomy of my position. I love having relationships of friendship and mutual trust with my doctors (I haven't addressed one as Dr. Last Name in 15yrs.). What other nursing role can begin to compare with all that?

I keep flipping between stages in the grieving process; I say that as I see it, for the first time. I have another 15yrs. or more to be gainfully employed as a nurse, and it looks like I'm going to have to learn to love doing it some other way.

Sign me, "Open to Suggestion"...