Anyone move from OR to ER?

[ruralgirl08]

I work in the OR, I really like it for the most part, but kinda miss talking to my patients at times, and I freaking LOVE Emergencies, so I kinda regret not doing ER/ICU first. Anyone make the transition? What to expect? I am just toying with the idea right now (I have taken ACLS, TNCC, ect, in the past, just never used it much) Kinda one of those regrets in my career so far. Anyone do it, what to expect?

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I say go for it! Keep in mind though, the ER isn't all about "emergencies." A lot of patients come in with minor complaints or come in to abuse the system...you end up with "emergent" chest or abdominal painers who are really just there because they ran out of pain meds. You'll get patients who come in and think they are the most emergent patient there when their CC is a stubbed toe or something non-emergent, lol. The true emergencies, however, make it all worth-while.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my job in the ER. I worked on a step-down unit for 2 years before switching and making the switch was probably the best thing I did for my career, honestly. I just mentioned the above because a lot of people think the ER is all blood and guts and trauma but it isn't just that.

[Rhi007]

Doooooooo iiiiiit!! We're a level one trauma centre and as well as the left of field patients and emergent ones we get a few where the conversation goes like this:

Me: so what brings you here today?

Pt: I have an ingrown toenail...that's a level 1 trauma isn't it?!

Me: no dear, that's a level one drama...here's some panadol, your GP is the best person to deal with this *smiles, gives patient discharge letter and patient leaves*

Doctor: now let's see how many more are that easy to treat and street!