April Kepner’s departure from Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in season 14 of Grey’s Anatomy came as a shock to many fans. After over a decade as a series regular, Sarah Drew’s character made the difficult decision to move to another hospital across the country. This pivotal exit left viewers with many questions about April’s motivations for leaving and what would come next for her character.
Background on April’s Character Arc
When April first joined the cast in season 6, she was presented as an uptight, rule-following resident eager to please her superiors. However, over the seasons, April went through immense personal and professional growth. She evolved from a meek intern into a confident trauma surgeon and even the Chief of Surgery for a time. She also faced her share of tragedy, suffering a crisis of faith, failing the medical boards, losing her first child Samuel, and ultimately, divorcing her husband Jackson Avery.
Through it all, April remained at Grey Sloan, with her close friends there supporting her as she rebuilt her life. Her long history at the hospital made it feel like she would always have a home there. So when the news broke in season 14 that actress Sarah Drew would be leaving the show, it left many fans shocked and heartbroken to see April go.
April’s Road to Leaving Grey Sloan
April’s journey towards leaving Grey Sloan was set into motion when she remarried her ex-husband Jackson in season 14. After previously divorcing due to irreconcilable differences, April and Jackson bonded again over saving a young patient and decided to elope.
Soon after their wedding, April discovered she was pregnant. She saw this as their second chance to have the family they always dreamed of. However, Jackson was not as thrilled, as he didn’t want to bring a child into their unstable relationship. This fundamental disagreement led the newlyweds to divorce again.
April felt that she could not stay at Grey Sloan and be constantly reminded of this dissolved relationship. Every corner of the hospital held memories of her formative years with Jackson as friends, husband and wife, and colleagues. She needed a fresh start somewhere new to move on. April recognized that putting geographical distance between herself and Jackson could allow them to effectively co-parent their daughter Harriet while moving forward independently.
Why Minnesota?
When April announced she accepted a new job, her coworkers were surprised she was leaving not just Grey Sloan but Seattle altogether. Her destination was Minnesota, clear across the country.
April explained that a colleague from her time in the Army had reached out with the job offer at his private trauma center. She felt it was the perfect chance to get back to hands-on triage medicine, which had always been her true passion.
Beyond the professional reasons, Minnesota also appealed to April for personal ones. The change of location would help her make a clean break from her Seattle life and start over somewhere completely new. She could remove herself from the drama with Jackson and finally move on.
Additionally, April emphasized that she wanted to raise Harriet somewhere calmer and more peaceful. While Seattle tended to be dreary, Minnesota’s four seasons and many lakes offered a tranquil setting for family life. April looked forward to instilling Midwestern values in her daughter as she grew.
Saying Goodbye
April kept her job search and interview process secret at first, hoping to have all details finalized before announcing her plans. But Jackson uncovered the truth during a tense argument about their future co-parenting relationship.
Stunned to learn April was considering moving across the country with his daughter, Jackson pressured her to reconsider. But April remained firm in her choice. “As painful as this is, I need to start over. Harriet deserves a fresh start. You and I need a fresh start,” she told him.
At this point, April had to break the news to her Grey Sloan family as well. She tearfully told Arizona, webber, Bailey and the other surgeons, nurses and staff who had become her closest friends over the years. They were shocked and saddened to see her go, but ultimately understood and supported April’s difficult decision.
On April’s last day at Grey Sloan, the colleagues who knew her best took turns expressing how much she would be missed:
- Meredith said April was the “heart and soul” of their surgical family.
- Jackson told April “You’ll always be here with us.”
- Arizona pledged they were bonded forever through tragedy and triumph.
- Webber called April one of the finest surgeons he’s worked with in his career.
April was touched by their kind words about the impact she’s had, professionally and personally. It reaffirmed that while she was moving on, April would always be part of the Grey Sloan community.
As she took one last look at the entrance of the hospital, April felt hopeful instead of sad. She knew this was the right decision for her next chapter as a surgeon and mother. Leaving Grey Sloan also symbolized April fully moving on into independence and starting anew.
Adjusting to Life After Grey Sloan
Settling into her new job and home in Minnesota was initially an adjustment for April. After spending over a decade in Seattle, leaving the city she considered home was jarring. Establishing a new normal without her Grey Sloan family close by took time.
Professionally, April had to get accustomed to new co-workers and protocols at the trauma center. Personally, she faced the challenges of being a single mom juggling childcare and her career in a brand new place. April also had to find her footing navigating co-parenting with Jackson long-distance.
While the transition had its difficulties, April tried to focus on the positives. Her colorful new house with a big yard for Harriet felt like a fresh start. She enjoyed exploring Minnesota’s hiking trails and lakes on weekends with her daughter. At work, April rediscovered her passion for hands-on trauma surgery that drew her to medicine in the first place.
Over time, April became more settled into her new Minnesota life and position. However, she continued to stay in touch with her Grey Sloan friends and even visited Seattle on occasion. The memories and relationships she built at the hospital would always be with her, even as she moved forward.
Could April Ever Return?
April’s exit from Grey’s Anatomy in season 14 was assumed to be final given Sarah Drew’s departure from the series regular cast. Additionally, the decisive way April seemed to close the chapter on her Seattle life made a permanent return unlikely.
However, fans understandably still held out hope that April could come back someday. Many were heartbroken to lose such a beloved character that had been part of the Grey’s fabric for over a decade. Even April herself left the door cracked open to potentially reunite down the road.
In an interview after her exit, Sarah Drew shared: “Never say never! That’s how I feel about it. The beautiful thing about Shondaland is that it has always felt like home…I would absolutely love to step back into her shoes again.”
Showrunner Krista Vernoff has also hinted at April comeback potential, while emphasizing nothing is confirmed yet. She explained, “I love Sarah Drew and I love April Kepner. So I am neither confirming nor denying anything about her possible future on the show.”
So could Dr. April Kepner return to roam the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial once more? While there are no near-term plans announced, longtime fans should keep hoping. If the show runners and Sarah Drew align at some point in the future, they could potentially bring April back permanently or at least for a guest appearance. There are so many former colleagues and unresolved issues for her character to reconnect with in Seattle down the road.
April’s Impact and Legacy
Whether or not April returns to Grey Sloan in the future, her legacy on the show is firmly cemented. She was a central character for over a decade that grew and evolved enormously from her early days as an intern. April brought a unique personality and set of abilities to the hospital that were greatly valued by patients and peers alike.
Fans connected deeply with April over the years, relating to her journey through immense professional and personal struggles. She proved you can persevere through tragedy, rebuild your confidence from the ground up, and redefine who you are and want to be.
April showed profound strength as she completely restarted her life in Minnesota. But she would never forget her Grey Sloan roots that made her the resilient surgeon and mother she is today. Wherever her story leads next, Dr. April Kepner made her mark at Grey Sloan and in the hearts of Grey’s Anatomy fans worldwide.
Conclusion
April Kepner’s departure after 14 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy came as an immense shock, but made sense for the character’s evolution. By relocating across the country for a new job, April hoped to gain independence from her Seattle history and failed marriage to Jackson. She was ready for a fresh start somewhere completely new.
While April’s exit seemed decisive, there remains a possibility she could return to Grey Sloan in the future. Her deep ties to the hospital family and open-ended exit storyline left the door open for a potential comeback down the road. No matter what is next for April, her legacy on the show is undeniable. She will always be remembered as a beloved character that went through immense growth over a decade at the hospital.
Leaving Grey Sloan was tremendously difficult for April, but also a hopeful move towards the independent and peaceful future she wanted. Though she is thriving in her new Minnesota life today, a piece of April’s heart will always remain at the hospital that shaped her as a surgeon and person.