[bigsyis]

mom2michael,

I LOVED your list! I think you covered nearly all of the important topics!

[schoona]

I also think the ability to cope with minimal sleep when you get cr...py rosters but still be on top of everything. Also a good massage therapist helps when your back,legs and feet are about to give out.
Cheers Schoona

[cowpoke_rn]

wanted to add a few to moms great list...

1. good humor
2. Good upper body strength because doing CPR ain't easy
3. Repeat after me...."we're still waiting on your test results."

[trinitygrad07]

ha ha...that last one was really funny. "we are still waiting on your test results".

Tonight during our code (i work on med/surg, remember??), i jumped in and the code team rn's let me push all the meds! I am grateful for all of your help and encouragment as well as all of the "seasoned" rn's at my hospital who let me practice my acls skills on the floor!
Remember to teach all of your new grads who have a passion for ed nursing! We really appreciate it and need good teachers.
Cheers!

[bigreddog1934]

i think, as previously mentioned, a strong sense of humor will help get you through a lot of the more unreal aspects of er. be prepared to become a little warped, too.

oh, and not being shy to vulgarity helps, too.

[casualjim]

A twisted sense of humor
the ability to see something that in any other setting would be considered totally amazing, bizarre, horrifying, shocking,hilarious, or scary. and say "there's something you dont see everyday," and get back to work.

[scrubsnhugsRN]

Must have a sense of humor..the darker the better, able to perform practical jokes on coworkers with imagination..... and at a moments notice jump into action with all seriousness, focus and teamwork when a trauma comes rolling in.

[bill4745]

Attached-sick ER humor.

[UP Nurse]

I've been in emergency departments for about 28 years now. You have to love it! You see results one way or another....you fix what hurts, transfer them somewhere else, or admit them to a nursing unit, or the morgue...but they go away...unlike med-surg units where they seem to take up residence these days. Being able to think on your feet is excellent, forgiving your colleagues is necessary (and being forgiven), being a team player, and having a sense of humor...all necessary. I have a short attention span, I think, so like what I do to be different every day...every hour is good also...so ED is a good place for me.

UP Nurse