ICU to ER

ImMrBill3, RN · May 3, 2009

Good luck!

I am hoping to do about the same. I am probably starting in ICU. I don't know beans factually to answer your question but I think you have plenty of good experience and will do great!

Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN · May 3, 2009

Depends on the level of the ER if they take level4 it is an easy crossover but if it is 2 or above it is going to be fast and You have to make snap judgements. Some times you can have anywhere from 3-6 patients. Where I worked if you had one go bad the other folks I worked with were good about taking over your patients. I loved working in ER but I also loved Icu.

bill4745, RN · May 3, 2009

I made the ICU to ER switch 3 years ago. Your ICU and peds experience is a big plus. The hard part is dealing with critical patients - you often don't have the time to pay attention to details that you have in the unit.

I love the ER-there is never a dull moment, and every shift I still learn something new.

dlane · May 4, 2009

just curious, what do you think is the hardest part to learn in ER? I feel fairly comfortable in managing cardiac drips, i do well on EKG interpretation, and have gone to a lot of codes, but never ran one as our ICU CRN does that but i have a good understanding with that I think. Do you guys titrate drips on your own or have to have a Dr. orders? Will have to brush up on my peds vitals but sure that will come back quickly, but I also have never started an IV on a baby O.o.

I am a little worried about trauma as i have not had to deal with that. I am not usually squeemish and can eat while people vomit and GI bleeds don't bother me either.....lol, but having bones sticking out of people while they are screaming is a whole nother story, but i guess you just focus on the task at hand and don't think about it too much.