Interested in ER nursing but have a concern...

Specialties Emergency

Published

Ever since I floated to the ER as a nurse extern I've wanted to work there. But here is my concern...ER is the first line of defense for everyone coming into the hospital. You are exposed to everyone and everything before they are admitted to the floors. Do you ever worry about what infectious diseases you are coming in contact with before you even know what they have and what you might be taking home to your family? Do you ever think about bioterrorism? I can think of any of these things to worry about and it's keeping me from following my nursing passion. Is this realistic?

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Shoot, I had constant active TB, leprosy, polio, and then a typhoid outbreak, all in 6 months; when volunteering overseas. I don't even turn red on the TB skin test.

Wash a lot, eat right and maintain good nutrition, and come on over & jump in! Enthusiasm is always appreciated!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Er/ICU/Med-Surg/Home health.
Shoot, I had constant active TB, leprosy, polio, and then a typhoid outbreak, all in 6 months; when volunteering overseas. I don't even turn red on the TB skin test.

Wash a lot, eat right and maintain good nutrition, and come on over & jump in! Enthusiasm is always appreciated!

We're like roaches, you cant kill us. haha. :chuckle:chuckle

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Flight.
Shoot, I had constant active TB, leprosy, polio, and then a typhoid outbreak, all in 6 months; when volunteering overseas. I don't even turn red on the TB skin test.

Wash a lot, eat right and maintain good nutrition, and come on over & jump in! Enthusiasm is always appreciated!

You never told me that when you precepted me! (Though I shoulda known...) I'm not working close to you anymore! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.
You never told me that when you precepted me! (Though I shoulda known...) I'm not working close to you anymore! :D

heh-heh-heh:msk::devil:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

So far everything that has been said is pretty acurrate. Don't be afraid to join the ER ranks. While working on Med-Surg is definitely good experience there is a lot about ER nursing that you won't learn up there. For example (and this is just ONE example) I cannot tell you how many times we've been called to start an IV for the floor only to get up there and see a vein I could hit with a 14g from across the room with one eye closed, and the poor patient had been stuck like 4 times already. Nothing against Med-Surg, I was there for 6 months myself, but ER is in a league all its own as are other nursing specialties. If ER is what you want, take it!!!!

If you're really concerned about exposure and taking stuff home to your family just do as some of my fellow co-workers do: spray lysol on the bottoms of your shoes before getting in your car (about died laughing when I saw one of our aides doing that, but hey....whatever makes you feel better), take advantage of the showers in the locker rooms and clean off before leaving, change clothes and shoes before leaving (your shoes will be the dirtiest part of you), or just shed clothes and put them in the "dirty pile" and shower as soon as you get home (that's what I do). You will get sick for the first year or so with common cold stuff, but after that you're the invincible roach as described earlier!!!

COME ON OVER TO THE DARK SIDE, DON'T BE AFRAID!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment