When I catch myself complaining about some aspect of ambulatory surgery-paperwork, dwindling reimbursements, a shortage of help-I use a technique that never fails to cheer me up. I reflect on my career prior to coming here.

Nursing was actually my third career-before I went to nursing school, I had obtained a degree in another health-related field and served in the military. But I was still unprepared for the stress of being a graduate nurse in a large hospital. The first three months of my nursing career, I came home every day in tears. I felt I was doing all I could for my patients, but was stymied by budget constraints, understaffing, and lack of guidance. I blamed it on inexperience.

My next position in a cardiac care unit seemed like a big improvement for a while. I found I really enjoyed the one-on-one care I was able to give to patients, as well the close relationships I developed with their families. However, the long hours and the emotionally intense nature of the work started wearing me down. My colleagues were just as overworked as I, and we didn't take the time to support each other.

Searching for a fresh outlook, I accepted a position in a neonatal intensive care nursery. Here I had the opportunity to see life begin instead of end in an environment where budgets and cost-cutting didn't take center stage. But I eventually became disillusioned again. Many of my colleagues seemed to be mired in negativity. Perhaps it was the stress of dealing with parents unprepared to accept an "imperfect" infant, or the tension of knowing that a wrong decision might have consequences years later. Whatever it was, it seemed that nothing at work brought them joy.

The ER was my next stop, followed by the PACU. In both, I found fast-paced, challenging environments that I loved. But constantly being on call and seeing more and more positions fall to budget cuts made an already hectic workload overwhelming.

Two years ago, I was having serious thoughts about starting a fourth career and leaving health care for good. But fortune smiled on me. I was hired by the Trinity Outpatient Center.

I was amazed at how much my new environment enabled me to do what I love and avoid what I don't. There are boundless opportunities to work with children as well as adults. The pace is fast and exciting. The bureaucracy is minimal, and the hours are reasonable. The words "it's not my job" are never heard. We do everything we can to make sure patients enjoy their experience with us. Very importantly, we take care of each other as well as our patients. We assign new nurses a mentor to help orient them to our facility. We support each other, and try to foster an environment where people want to come to work.

To the nurses who continue to toil in the places I inhabited before I came here, my hat is off to you. To my colleagues in ambulatory surgery, thanks for creating this wonderful environment and for welcoming me to it. I count my blessings nearly every day.