Who loves their job as an RN in the ED?

Specialties Emergency

Published

How long have u done ED nursing? Where did u start from? What do u love about your ED job? What is the hardest part of the job? Please help. I need to get in your heads!

Love? Nope...

Though I have quite a number of positive things to say about it by comparison to many other jobs and most other nursing roles -- it fundamentally is my vocation and, for sure, the moment they stopped paying me, I'd be done... if I loved it, that wouldn't be the case... I do it as a hobby on the side.

It certainly can be invigorating, though... and a bit frightening... and dangerous.

I'm four years in and... I've seen some stuff that boggles the mind.

+++++

And it is fun to be able to hang with the cops and firefighters and EMS and military guys and match them story for story...

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Thanks guys! Keep your stories coming. It's getting me psyched to start my new job :)

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Specializes in ED.

I've been an RN in the ED for three years. Went there straight out of nursing school but I'm an "older" nurse at 43. I have a sales and marketing / trade show background so this is a huge change for me.

I love it and can't see doing anything else for now!

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I have been an ED nurse for 14 months. I came from the floor - PCU to be exact - and had 2 years of experience there prior to transitioning to the ED. I can't even imagine working the floor now that I am in the ED. I LOVE IT. Every day is different and the idea of never knowing what is coming to you is exhilarating :). I felt like I was doing the same thing every night on the floor and thus I got bored. In the ED you get your adults plus pediatrics and OB patients, so it's a nice variety. You have more autonomy as a nurse in the ED than you do on the floor and we have a great relationship with our providers. On the floor I felt like the providers had a God complex and were always "above" me but in the ER we are more like colleagues on an equal level. Providers value my input.

I think one of the hardest things about my job is taking care of the whiney/needy/demanding patients and their families. And pedi codes.

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If your hospital practices primary nursing, the main benefit to the ED is that you don't.

I'd go nuts taking the same patients for days.

I'm all about time-limited encounters and short-term relationships.

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Thanks for all the input.

It helps new grads decide what unit/department is a better fit.:nurse:

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Please keep this thread going! I am getting more excited by the day. I love hearing everyone's opinions about this! :)

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

This guy does. Or that guy whatever. Just the other night I had everything from a code, to a trauma, to a flight in and out, peds and then a nothing wrong. Love the variety.

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