[jollyjenny]

For those of you who like your job-what is it about ER nursing that you enjoy?

[traumaRUs]

For me (I worked level one truama center for 10 years), I loved the variety and chaos. I loved the fact that I had to be on my toes at all times and that after about five years in the ER, felt that anything I got in the door I could handle. Those 10 years have set me up well for my APN career. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

[Jen2]

The unexpected, the organized chaos, the teamwork/support that is unlike anything that I have ever experienced, taking care of the entire lifespan instead of just one particular age group, knowing what is wrong with a patient without all the bells and whistles hooked up and before a single test comes back. Wow thats a run on sentance. I could keep going on, but those are my favorite things. I would say not having take care of the same patient for longer than a few hours, but times are a changin in the ED world with all the borders. Oh, and I love the adreneline rush of hooking a chest pain patient up, seeing the STEMI and rushing off to the cath lab. I also love having the freedom of working up patients before they are even seen by a doc. I think thats it for now.

[traumaRUs]

You are so right Jen - the adrenaline rush - there is nothing better.

[bill4745]

The variety, the need to be prepared for almost anything, the pride in being able to work in the most difficult job in the hospital. And as someone above said, the teamwork and relationships with co-workers-a great group of people!!

[GilaRN]

Honestly, I love the interactions with physicians and the ability to make every day a learning experience. You are able to review tests, assessments, differentials, and actually have intelligent discussions and learn from the physicians. In many ways ER is primary care at it's best. (Sometimes)

[mom2michael]

The always changing patients, scenarios, situtations, etc...Never seeing the same situation twice (even though if feels sometimes you see the same patient, the same situation every single shift....)

Never coming into work 12 hours later and finding the same patient(s) you had the shift before.

The interaction between staff - the teamwork - knowing that no matter how bad it gets - someone is always there to help you out.

[donormom]

Originally Posted by bill4745

The variety, the need to be prepared for almost anything, the pride in being able to work in the most difficult job in the hospital. And as someone above said, the teamwork and relationships with co-workers-a great group of people!!

I have worked in many different areas of the hospital setting and I would not say any one of them was "the most difficult". They all have their own challenges and rewards.

Karen

[centralflorida]

I'm considering going into nursing, and I definitely would want to go into the ER. For all you ER nurses, is it harder to get assigned to the ER than other areas of the hospital? As in, is this a plum assignment that everyone wants?

[bill4745]

No, only those of us with ADD and psychosis choose the ER!