[NewEDRN]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Last night, i finally got a different assignment, thank god, though i still had 5 or 6 pts at a time, the turnover was not as bad, and for the first time in weeks, i actually got a lunch. And just to clarify a little, i did mention to one charge nurse tonight how relieved i was to get something different, and luckily she already knew how many days i was in the other area and how busy i was. We had a staff meeting yesturday, and many collegues brought up the suggestion of limitting nurses time to 4 to 8 hrs on that assignment. It's not that the pts are less critical in that area, it is generally an 8 bed assignment, 2 "surg" beds, almost always full work ups, 2 gyn beds, always full work ups with foley and fills, plus have to be in the room with doc for all procedures, do fetal heart tones, etc, 2 ent beds, usually children with full work ups, and 2 hall pts, usually the only ones without full work ups. The problem is, when you have so many pts, all of who need line, labs, procedures, etc, even when they're not overly acute, they're busy as hell, and its' easy to come out of one room and find 3 pts waiting who all need full work up's too, ugg, just thinking about it gets me overwhelmed. I do really like acute care, mostly because i'm so used to it, but love fastrack too, love to get pts in and out in 15 to 20 mins, don['t care how many of them there are. Anyway, still loving being there so far, and am learning a lot, just hope the assignments find some kind of balance.

[Bindy]

Boy, I agree with all the replies here. I have a heavy Cardiac background and have been only working ED for a year and a half. I learned that you either sink or swim. Yes, it is absolutely possible that you are being dumped on but you have to give it more time before you decide, not four days. ED is all about stamina and the ability to assess quickly, then prioritize. It's a lot different then the unit, and it's a lot simular. Give it time, give yourself time and give your team a clear picture that you are able to handle a load. In a few weeks if you see that you continually get dumped on then quietly go to your supervisor and ask to sit down and talk. Hang in there!enguin: Bindy

[PyxisPrincess]

Is it just me, or does anyone else love and live for the turnover? Yes, an 8 patient assignment is insanity, but it's the turnover that keeps things lively. Hell, if I had wanted to be a floor nurse, I would have become a floor nurse. I want to get 'em in, get 'em better, and get 'em out. Sit on my patients? No way! Holding for the floor? Please, dear Lord, don't let it be so! Turn 'em over and keep 'em coming.