why??

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Oct 10, 2008

Hmm - interesting question.

I worked ED for a while, but did not like it. Too episodic and fragmented for me. I like being involved in more holistic aspects of care than just focusing on stabilization - or having to deal with tons of 'clinic' patients who use the ED as a primary care provider.

I think its wonderful that so many specialty nurses "wouldn't work anywhere else" - whether its in OR, OB, ICU or MedSurg (yes, I consider MedSurg a specialty too). But I guess some of us just have to try a few places before we really find our clinical 'home'.

There are pros & cons in any area - depending on how you feel about them. For instance, although I didn't like it, the 'episodic' nature of ED practice, and limited involvement with patients in that area may be a real positive to lots of folks.

Recently published nursing research has shown that most satisfied nurses work in ambulatory areas & oncology -- go figure.

Iam46yearsold · Oct 10, 2008

I cant imagine anything besides ER now. Love the trauma, the codes, the strokes, the MIs, the whatevers. Its all exciting, sometimes more so than others.

nurseshepherd · Oct 10, 2008

Most of the ER nurses I have known thrived on the excitement level and would be bored to tears with the pace of med/surg. They also like the focused aspect of ER care rather than the holistic (speaking only of the ones I have known folks, not generally) and would fuss that we (non-ER nurses coming in to help triage) took too long looking at everything. Most of the time they can see a pretty immediate improvement in their patients when they turn an arrythmia around or take care of a diabetics unconcious state and watch their eyes open. That is pretty potent stuff, really makes the rewards on med/surg pale in comparison.

As the PP pointed out, lots of specialty nurses wouldn't want to work anywhere else. Our adrenaline junkie co-workers in the ER don't appreciate a good precipitous delivery in their ER, evidently the wrong kind of adrenaline rush for them!:chuckle

BillEDRN · Oct 11, 2008

As the PP pointed out, lots of specialty nurses wouldn't want to work anywhere else. Our adrenaline junkie co-workers in the ER don't appreciate a good precipitous delivery in their ER, evidently the wrong kind of adrenaline rush for them!

I have worked in many areas, but mostly ED. Many of my collegues who work in other speciality areas feel the same way: they wouldn't want to work anywhere else. I think you have to experience the various areas to see what fits you best. The key is being willing to try different things. I personally think ICU gives a wonderful background that allows you maximum flexibility in changing positions/specialities. But, you still need to be willing to change if it isn't a good fit for you.

As far as this self-admitted adrenalin junkie, I don't mind the precipitous deliveries. I've caught 'em in the back seat of a car, the waiting room, the BR, and even the elevator.:)

thegreenmile · Oct 11, 2008

I think that specialties are all about personal choice according to your unique set of personality traits and preferences. I also believe its an absolute MUST to actually "try it on", just like you would when buying a bra! You never know how it fits or feels until you get up close and personal in it. Any area of nursing can seem intriguing or interesting but we just dont know if we have a good fit until we've been there, done that. I had an experience in OR like that, I was so astonished with it when I shadowed a circulator for an 8 hr. shift, that I accepted the position, one week into it, I was like, "OH, hell no!" I stuck it out for 6 mo on the advise of my collegues, then gracefully resigned thanking them all for their patience and encouragement and left with a huge respect for their abilities to perform this type of work.