So I had learned to stand in the face of perceived danger, and now I had learned to walk fearlessly in the face of real danger. Where did that leave me? It left me in a place where I could now enjoy the precious wins of the ER. Finally mentally present, I started to actually meet my patients and hear their stories. I had the opportunity to see new worlds. It was like when you learn to hold your breath underwater. You finally see the fish that had been missed in your fixation

But what if it's not a rollercoaster? The dangers are not just perceived: there is no harness; there is no car; in fact, there is no track at all. What if it is a hurricane?  Whenever my line of work is brought up in conversation, there is an inevitable intrigue that follows. "Emergency? What's that like?" or "What's the worst thing you've ever seen?" I understand this sentiment far too well. It was exactly this concept of heroism in the face of danger or unique and inconceiv

When I first started working in the Emergency Department, I never thought it would change who I was as a person. I was so wrong. I was a 22-year-old kid, prone to indecisiveness and overthinking. I'm sure these are two of the worst traits an ER nurse could ever have and I'm still curious why anyone gave me that job in the first place! But I am so incredibly grateful for the manager who gave me that opportunity, choosing to invest in my development and not just write me off. I

I have found life often means functioning in the space of "unknown". Not knowing something is generally uncomfortable. It also poignantly...

I remember a time in my mid 20's when I had come to a pretty clear decision of what I believed my life would look like. I have always...