They say (whoever "they" are) that change is inevitable; that change is the new normal. Maybe that's true. In any case, today marks a significant change for me. It is my last day working as a Respiratory Therapist. No, I'm not retiring, but changing careers- still in the hospital, but doing full time emergency preparedness. It's a day with very mixed emotions. I love this field. I have enjoyed being a Respiratory Therapist for nearly 19 years. My journey has taught me many things about people, illness, life, death and everything in between. I have had the privilege of being a part of patients' lives when they were most in need. The rewards far exceed what can be described on paper (or in a blog in cyberspace). I have met and worked with some of the most amazing talent in the profession, many of whom are only known within their own hospitals- but incredible therapists and wonderful people nonetheless. I will miss being with them on a daily basis. I will miss the doctors and even the nurses: but especially the patients. On the other hand, I am excited for the new opportunity which has been presented to me. While not directly related to RT, the skills I have learned and practiced over the last 20 years- rapid focused evaluation and decision making, prioritizing activities, rational and evidence based approaches to problem solving- among others- will serve me well. As a good friend and colleague wrote to me this morning, once an RT, always an RT.
Many of you here in this forum are strangers to me, we've never met, but perhaps have read each others posts. I feel I have learned something from all of you, and am truly proud to say I am (still and always) a Respiratory Therapist.
Thank you!
Charlie Friderici