[misslo]

I have been trying to figure out what area of nursing I want to focus most on when in the nursing program and have been asking alot of questions.

I was talking to my cousin the other day, she works in the ER. She said that as a general rule, the people that tend to look the worse, as far as trama, seem to be the ones that pull through. The patients that have the lesser appearances of trama are usually the ones that seem to suprize you. Is that the way it is everywhere?

MissLo

[hospitalstaph]

Originally Posted by misslo

I have been trying to figure out what area of nursing I want to focus most on when in the nursing program and have been asking alot of questions.

I was talking to my cousin the other day, she works in the ER. She said that as a general rule, the people that tend to look the worse, as far as trama, seem to be the ones that pull through. The patients that have the lesser appearances of trama are usually the ones that seem to suprize you. Is that the way it is everywhere?

MissLo

Well, that is sometimes true. But I would not say that it is the general rule.

But I would say that cries of chest pain are often the loudest from those with heartburn, while the true MI sits at home not wanting to "bother anyone" by calling an ambulance.

Labs , assessment, etc are SO important when a patient is one of the quiet types that minmizes their symptoms and/or discomfort.

Hope this answers your question

TL

[Tweety]

It's not that way with everyone but basically what she's saying is that you can never let your guard down....assess....assess....and re-assess...and critically think. This is what we do.

[Larry77]

I agree that we can be surprised by a trauma patient who we think is fine until we get the CT results and they have a bleed or c-spine fx but the really sick ones we usually know right away because they are actively trying to die on us.

I don't think you can figure out if ED nursing is for you until you have seen it...maybe you can shadow or try to precept in the ED. I think it is a "love it" or "hate it" specialty and you pretty much know where you stand very early in your exposure.

[misslo]

Originally Posted by Larry77

I don't think you can figure out if ED nursing is for you until you have seen it...maybe you can shadow or try to precept in the ED. I think it is a "love it" or "hate it" specialty and you pretty much know where you stand very early in your exposure.

Hmmm, I wonder if I could work as a CNA in the emergency department. I will be finished with my program next month. Do CNA's generally work in the ED?

MissLo

[danger]

IV certified EMTs work in EDs but not CNAs. (my experience is limited though.)

dan

[TazziRN]

Yes, CNAs can work ER. Both of the ERs I worked in utilized CNAs.

[RunnerRN]

We use CNAs, but not in a true CNA position. We have ER techs, and no matter what your background, the hospital requires all techs to go through a 4 week training before starting in the department. I think being a CNA improves your chances of getting the job and being able to go through the training, but it doesn't supercede the training.