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Istiaq Mian's avatar

These types of experiences are so formative. I'm glad you took time to think/process what you felt. It's important so you can keep going on.

I'm curious Amy do you still work as an ER physician or did you transition out of it?

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Yeah, it definitely kicked my butt. And in the moment you feel like the only person it happens to. Good question about my career. I took a 6 month LOA until October 1, I have only come back casual (like 1-2 shifts a month so far) so I am actively trying to figure out if I am continuing or transitioning out:)

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Istiaq Mian's avatar

For sure. I know that feeling. My intern year I stuck the artery while placing a central line and my senior left me for 10 minutes holding pressure on it all alone with the patient in the middle of the night. I felt like such a big failure in that time.

Glad you have space to figure out what you'll do next.

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Oh, I did that once too. Took us a while to figure it out because he was so hypoxic and hypotensive. But being left alone during it would be an extra kind of suck.

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J B's avatar

This one hit me pretty deep. Thank you for sharing the story and the advice.

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Thank you. I'm glad it resonates. Shame is one of those things I think we can all relate to, but never talk about.

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