Till We Meet Again

What a journey it has been.

I said I will only be staying for two years. Like all others before me, I stayed longer and now it took twenty-one years for me to leave this place that I have grown to love. Elmhurst grabbed my heart and refused to let go.

It is a lifetime of memories. Through the years, we've created a kaleidoscope of special moments and bonded with a team of nurses, doctors, and support staff. Together, we've pulled through stressful times of overwhelming patient volume, poor staffing and personal differences.

I looked around the ED and marveled at the changes in the landscape, both in the physical environment and in the personnel who staff the ED day and night. The ED had changed but what remains true is that we are entrusted the responsibility of caring for others who are more vulnerable and unfortunate than us. To be able to spend your life in service of others is a blessing.

I started as a novice ED nurse who trembled every time I heard the red EMS notification phone ring and evolved to be a confident and knowledgeable nurse due to my multi-faceted Elmhurst experience. What's more important to me is the knowledge that I have made a difference.

Thank you for being a part of my journey. I will forever treasure the shared reminiscences and your kind words and expressions of support. It makes me happy to be appreciated by those who matter.

And now it is time to explore the world beyond these four walls and to create more memories in another hospital as their new clinical nurse specialist. Although I will be leaving a piece of my heart, I know that this new road will bring new opportunities for professional growth for me. If I made it here, I can make it anywhere.

To paraphrase Oprah, No sadness from me, I look forward to the next chapter in my life.

And when our paths will cross again, I expect to get a tight hug from you. Till we meet again.