long winter of ER nights

[MassED, BSN, RN]

I haven't been on Allnurses in some time. Winter has been long, tedious, but filled with my new found love for snowboarding. In my hiatus from Allnurses, I have learned so much about my ER nights. Let me first say that I love my coworkers as much as one can love others you are with during 12 hours (those highs and lows). I have come to love those coworkers despite their idiosyncrasies. I have learned to value their skill and rely on them at some point. We have many levels of nurses and physicians and I find it takes the patience of Job to sometimes deal with these differences (new vs. experienced). I find that I can be quite impatient (only displayed inwardly, resulting in some serious knots in my muscles!) and have an unreasonable expectation of skill when I feel that it is not only necessary, but required in our job. Every day I learn of something new, which is just awesome.

Just recently a dear friend and coworker lost their job. It has made me realize the fragile nature of our ER nursing jobs and how we really are on the line each time we clock in. We are held to impossibly high standards that have very little room for error. I think it is purposeful and management decides to take a stance against a certain person and will use whatever they can to slowly decimate that person. I am so sad for this person. We are fallible. We all make mistakes, but it's our ability to own up to them, take responsibility and learn from them that separates us from other nurses. It is sad when this profession (of all professions) is scrutinized so harshly.

I just have a hard time knowing that each of us could be on the chopping block each time we go to work. We are often in very unpredictable situations where we make the best decisions that we can at that moment. It's very difficult for others to judge unless you are in that moment. My heart is heavy for this person.

I will say, though, as I reflect about the events, I know that in my practice, I will think about this person and it will have changed me for the better. It's unfortunate that we learn from others' mistakes.

[kheemooy]

Aww. I feel sorry to hear that. May I know what kind of error was commited by the person? I wanna be more aware since I am starting my career in ED in 2 weeks.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Glad to see you back, MassED. :)

[MassED, BSN, RN]

for some reason, I didn't know there were responses to this post. I must have to change my settings.

The coworker mislabeled some blood, which is a huge issue, obviously. Apparently this person had mislabeled other specimens within a years time frame and already had been given remediation.

Thanks, Altra, good to be back!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Our ER standards are physically impossible to meet, so if they decide to ditch someone it's easy to do a chart review and find cause. We're unionized, but a lot of stinking good it does.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

Our ER standards are physically impossible to meet, so if they decide to ditch someone it's easy to do a chart review and find cause. We're unionized, but a lot of stinking good it does.

really? How appropriate you should post this and that I should come across this... interesting times afoot where I work in regards to unionizing. .... hmmm

yeah, crazy impossible standards. We talk about that all of the time. We are only human and are bound to make an error, large or small, at some point. Unless we become automated, it will happen.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Long time no See!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the union offers some protection...and if they fire you a lawyer. Either way if a facility want you gone...you will be gone. That is the climate these days.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

Thanks Esme!!

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Funny, I took a long hiatus from AN, too. I've been focusing on other aspects of my life. Not sure what brought me back, but here I am.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

welcome back!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Funny, I took a long hiatus from AN, too. I've been focusing on other aspects of my life. Not sure what brought me back, but here I am.

Good to see you too!!!! :)

[ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN]

Our ER standards are physically impossible to meet so if they decide to ditch someone it's easy to do a chart review and find cause. We're unionized, but a lot of stinking good it does.[/quote']

The unions are only as strong as their weakest member. Our union has allot of strength, the university came to us just before our state went to right to work (existing contracts were grandfathered in) and said what do you want to extend the current contract for 4 years, ******* (nice edit AN lmao) off the nursing community wasn't something they wanted to experiment with.