[HealthyRN]

How do you describe what you do to friends and family? There are so many facets of my role as an RN in the ER. I often don't feel like I can accurately convey what I do when people ask. I'm just curious how others answer this question.

[EmerNurse]

Ack - now you ask that question, I have no idea!

I know when I say I'm an ER nurse, folks get that look - you know the one that indicates they've been watching ER since its inception? I'm usually too tired to try to explain. Let them think I flirt with docs all night, have perfect make-up and time to go to the cafeteria (that isn't open on nights anway).

Only other ER nurses understand. god bless this forum!

[traumaRUs]

I have gotten "that look" too. Most folks know what comes into the ER where I worked - its a level one trauma center. I still get asked about the goriest things I've seen. However, its never something I want to talk about.

Was at church (AT CHURCH) and one of the guys comes up and says, "do ya wanna see my thumb?" Before I could utter "nope," he whips off this nice and neat dressing and voila - he had a traumatic amputation!!! Apparently it had happened at work a few days prior (he had been seen in the ER and had surgery) and wanted me to "check it out." Yikes...helped him to re-bandage it and then I went downstairs to the bathroom to wash my hands and come back to church!!!

What are people thinking???

[SargeRN]

Hours and hours of shear furstration and disappointment followed by minutes of total delight and joy. And not just because you're going off shift :-)

Sarge
I was a soldier*Iam a soldier*I will always be a soldier

[Jennifer, RN]

I tell my kids that I take care of very sick and hurt people and try to make them feel better. And then I tell them that sometimes the people don't feel better no matter what, and then I try and make their mommys and daddys and families feel better.

[bill4745]

After they make the face, I tell them I'm psychotic-which, I believe, any of us who choose to work here are!

[S.T.A.C.E.Y]

Originally Posted by Jennifer, RN

I tell my kids that I take care of very sick and hurt people and try to make them feel better. And then I tell them that sometimes the people don't feel better no matter what, and then I try and make their mommys and daddys and families feel better.

I love that description! Hopefully I'll be able to use it when I work in ED (eventually).

[Level I_Trauma_RN]

There is no easy whay to describe it, I just say it's a "Controlled Chaos" enviroment.

[bargainhound]

Years ago a nurse said "we don't talk shop after work".

I think that may be the easiest way to answer.

[ikimiwi]

I'm trying to get into heaven the hard way!