Why do I...

[blackvans1234]

Why do I watch youtube videos of ER procedures?

I and D's, Running codes, even the occasional trauma (ever see the one about the vietnam surgeries?)

I have been floated to the ER at my local hospital (I am a CNA), but I don't know how I feel about ER nursing. I don't think that I can accurately judge what the nurses do while i'm working as a tech in the ER, and if I'll like it or not.

So I guess my question is, how do I know?

How did you know?

They always say, "oh youll know!", but I've worked on multiple units and enjoy certain aspects of each patient population, but don't have one that I love going to (Can't really judge what the RN's are doing).

In clinicals we are on a medsurg unit and it is neat (i'm the type of nerd that gets excited when my patient has a DX that is spot on with what we covered in lecture)

So how did you know?

Thanks!

Edit:

I am also fascinated by the concept and procedure of obtaining an IO line.

[itsnowornever, BSN, RN]

To be honest you do just "know" it's a feeling of contentment, home, joy even when you are heading in to work.

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

[CP2013]

IO lines are used in critical care nursing as well - ICU for example. Also, most (not all but most) IO lines are placed in the field prior to arrival in the emergency department and are usually done by the EMT-B/EMT-P that is on scene.

Typically ED nurses see the patient, treat the emergency condition and either send them home or admit them to a unit. They don't look at the signs and symptoms long term they just are the immediate patient care needs and stabilize them to determine what needs to be done NOW.

Med Surg nurses are more reviewing the history of the patient in depth and observing the patient and how they are presenting based on their admitting diagnosis. This is why clinicals are done in these settings - so students can review and see the big picture and how it seems like the book.

As many will tell you, you really do just "know" and there's no explaining how you know. Try researching RN opportunities in your area. There are nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, stand alone surgical centers, schools, long term acute care centers...basically there are tons of avenues of nursing. Don't limit yourself to just hospital nursing if you aren't sure yet.

Also, keep in mind - not everyone has the feeling of knowing what area of nursing they will find to be their niche. Have you been through your pediatrics or obstetrics rotations? Have you shadowed the other hospital units - ICU, oncology, etc?

Just focus on getting through school and soaking up all the knowledge and learning experiences! Enjoy the time you get to float as a CNA.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

If you are in nursing school you could ask your instructor if you can shadow in an ER. I spent 1 day shadowing in a peds ER and 1 day my clinical group went to the ER and spent the day practicing tasks. While I did not go into the ER right away out of school, both of those experiences peaked my interest in ER nursing and helped me realize the possibilities.

[Rhi007]

It's a feeling of being home and comfortable around the people you work with. If you can see yourself as part of a family there then you will know.

IO cannulation is normally a field procedure done in infants-young kids but becoming more and more popular in adults. They aim to remove the needle within 3hrs of placement or until an alternative access point is made whether that be peripherally or through a central line.

[floridaRN38]

I knew when I went to an autopsy at the medical examiners office in Miami. I always wanted to do er before that. But didnt know if i could handle gross stuff If u can handle that smell of the bodies. And not throw up seeing all the cool gross stuff. Well u can do ER. As much as I ***** about my ER position. I love the different freaks that enter each day and running codes. Always something crazy happening. That's how I knew

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

What about shadowing a nurse in an area you are interested in? That will give you an idea of the nurse's role in a particular area and maybe give you an idea of what you like. Clinical experiences through school can help, too.

[FurBabyMom, MSN, RN]

I don't know. I knew what areas interest me, or what I thought interested me. Two of the areas that still interest me, I knew about before I started nursing school. The other one, and where I currently work, I found out about during my preceptorship/senior clinical practicum. I thought I'd been gotten the short end of the deal with my placement, but it was so much more awesome than I could have imagined. So much so that I moved several states away for the clinical opportunity I have now.

If you'd told me I'd be where I am today when I started nursing school, I would have told you that you were crazy. But most days I love it. It's pretty awesome, but there are days that are less stellar (but I've worked enough to know that you will have that with any job). Even though I only have one patient at a time, it's still possible to have a totally crazy chaotic day.

I would agree though, shadowing seems like a good idea to give you a better understanding of the RN perspective.

[danisweetcheeks]

you know ER is for you when you can handle the unpredictability, crazy adrenalin rushes, organized disorganization and dealing with patients at their most vulnerable and often there most sickest moments. it takes a certain personality to work in emergency... you'll find out very quick if its for you or not.

as for IO's... grab a drill from your garage and an egg lol thats what it feels like to put one in. like above posters said, they're typically used in peds - they can be hard starts and when a kid is crashing they need fluid quick! there is no time to fiddle with IV's. IO's can be left in for up to 24 hours but are typically used to plump up the patient enough to get a peripheral line and remove the IO.

[ERksome]

I can only say that it feels right when you know. At least that's how it worked for me. I was doing a clinical rotation in an ER as part of my EMT-B cert. All it took was an overnight shift, and I was hooked. I never worked as an EMT as I spent all my time and energy pursuing a nursing degree. It took years, but I finally made it "home" to an ER. I'm on maternity leave now, and I am so happy to be home with my children but I'd be lying if I didn't say that I miss my job and coworkers. Not many people say that about their jobs.