I recently completed 10 years working for a busy  public metro Emergency Department. The recognition I got was an email which was an auto send. I asked for long service leave well in advance but this was rejected within 2 hours of putting the application in.  Being tired and employable, I simply quit. My cousin is high up in the army and relates that they get breaks after periods of deployment. I wasn’t conscripted nor imprisoned and could see no reason for tolerating poor conditions and pay.  In leaving, I earn $40k more and no longer work nights and weekends. The only way I’ll be back is with a 25% pay rise. Even 7% is a mockery. I tell students now something that took me years to learn – systemic issues are not your personal responsibility (Brad Hazzard – *cough*). Look after yourself first because they definitely won’t look after you later.