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Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?



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Aug 07, 2009 07:17 AM

Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?


Hi ER nurses,

I work in an ICU, been there for 2 years, and now I'm really intrigued by ER nursing. I've been told by my manager that ICU nurses don't work well in the ER, and she has a "gut feeling" that I shouldn't go work there with my personality.

I take good care of my patients, and I'm pretty smart, but I'm a little ADD sometimes, and I'm not methodical. I tend to think about what's going on with the patients, rather than focus on tasks. I don't have an aggressive or forceful personality, but I don't take crap from anyone.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Have you seen a lot of ICU nurses, or ADD/quiet personalities not make it in the ER?

Any and all comments welcome!

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8 Comments
No. 1
from Katnip
Old Aug 07, 2009, 08:30 AM

Default Re: Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?
Without actually knowing you, it's hard to say. I worked in ED, and am thinking about going back. The ADD thing might be an asset or a hinderance. I have ADD, don't take meds and did ok.

It's both patient and task focused, really. You have to be constantly jumping from one to the next and reprioritizing. You need to drop what you're doing to help with a code then go immediately back to what you were doing in the first place.

Can you spend a day or two in your ED shadowing to see if it's for you?
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No. 2
from Larry77
Old Aug 07, 2009, 09:31 AM

Default Re: Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?
If you aren't the type of personality that works in the ED I think you will know right away. You do have to be a lot faster than you are up in the ICU and you probably have to change the way you assess a patient (problem focused, rather than head to toe). I have seen some ICU nurses do very well, and others fail miserably. I think another big adjustment is the fact that we are working off of either a c/o or a presenting s/s not a dx.

As far as your personality we tend to be just as "mean" as the ICU nurses lol but we are more active and tend to strive on chaos. If you can think and move fast I don't think your ADD will affect you but if you have to check a med 10 times and give all IVP's over 5-10 min you might be in trouble :-)
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No. 3
from Jahna
Old Aug 07, 2009, 11:48 AM

Default Re: Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?
Is there a way for you to float down there for a couple of shifts to see how you fit? I know in my facility they do entertain that sort of thing.
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No. 4
from RoyalNurse
Old Aug 07, 2009, 01:28 PM

Default Re: Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?
Originally Posted by Jahna View Post
Is there a way for you to float down there for a couple of shifts to see how you fit? I know in my facility they do entertain that sort of thing.
I shadowed a couple nurses already, but this is a slow time for the ER, I guess every August is slow. It wasn't as bad as I thought, we saw 8 patients in 4 hours. Today I just went with my gut and accepted a position!! I've found that over-analyzing doesn't help anything. I'm really excited about this, I think I'll learn a lot!
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No. 5
from mykidzmom
Old Aug 07, 2009, 02:48 PM

Default Re: Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?
i think you will do great. i think you ED and ICU nurses are a special breed unto yourselves. i mean this in the most admiring, respectful way. i wouldn't last a week in either place. congratulations!
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No. 6
from mykidzmom
Old Aug 07, 2009, 02:50 PM

Default Re: Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?
one more thing--that "gut feeling" your manager had was probably sickness over the potential for losing a good nurse. if she didn't think you were a good nurse, she would have let you go easier. she wanted to keep you for herself!
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No. 7
from beachmom
Old Aug 07, 2009, 03:02 PM

Default Re: Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?
You have to be able to think quickly and be calm in emergencies. You've probably had plenty of experience with emergencies in ICU, just a different kind than in ER.

I'm a good floor nurse, but in emergencies I still get the "deer in the headlights" feeling. I have no desire for the ER.

Hope it goes well for you. It will at least be an adventure.
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No. 8
from NREMT-P/RN
Old Aug 07, 2009, 03:38 PM

Default Re: Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?
I don't think there is one ideal "personality". Thick skin is a good trait!

The best thing about nursing - OPTIONS - try and see. I have seen many folks grow into many different roles. Job shadow and heck, try - you have a critical care knowledge base - so what is the harm in trying. You will either do well or flounder - but, give yourself a chance.

I have never really regretted anything I have done - but, I sure wish I had taken some of the opportunities I passed on.

Dog analogy -

True, the ER is full of the "pit bulls" --- as a rule "poodles" struggle in the pack. But many a pomeranian has done well - not because they are full of bark and bite - but, because they can bite at just the right spot when necessary. Woof!

Good Luck and Bark On!

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