Am I cut out for the ED?

One1, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

Only you can tell if you are "cut out" for the ED. As in every area, there are all types of personalities working in the ED. Can you shadow or do a clinical rotation in the ED while in school? That might clear up things for you. You could also try to find a job as a Tech if you are an EMT or even volunteer in an ED. However, I do believe that emergency nursing (just like any other specialty) is a "love it or hate it" nursing area.

Hope.A, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

Thanks! Unfortunately I only had ONE DAY in the ED during my clinicals last semester. I loved it but I wasn't oriented, not enough time -- did get to start two IVs though =). This semester we're in the ICU and Pediatrics, so I'm not sure if I'll get to step foot back in the ED. But, over the summer during my little mini-internship before graduation, I'm going to try to get assigned to the ED to see if it's right for me. I guess I still have some time to think... what I don't want to do is go for it just for the "prestige" of being able to say I'm an ER nurse. It puts too much emphasis on what other people think and not what I will love.

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

I'm not an adrenalin junkie and I don't love drama. Heck, I do a lot of trauma and other than learning a new skill, it isn't even my favorite thing to do in the ER! I got tired of hearing the adrenalin junkie garbage before I started in the ER too. AND I love the ER and never want to leave for another area.

I think its better to ask yourself whether you like to keep busy and are energetic rather than "are you an adrenalin junkie?"

If you spent time in an ER and felt like it "fit" for you then that's probably right for you. Keep an open mind to what your professor said and fairly evaluate other areas that might be a better fit but in the end, follow your heart.

shoegalRN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

I never had an ER rotation while I was in nursing school, in fact, I went through nursing school with my heart set on being an OR nurse.

It wasnt until I graduated and did a nurse residency program where I had to spend time in the ED, that I knew that's where I wanted to be.

You have to think quick on your feet, work well under pressure and choas, and thrive on the unknown. You don't have to be a "hardazz" to work in the ED, but you have to be assertive and have great assessment skills.

I used to say all the time while in nursing school I never thought I could work in the ED because I couldnt think that fast and needed time to think. That is totally not the case now. I think and react fast when I need to, and when I don't, I chill out and enjoy my time at work. I tend to have a lot of fun at work with my co-workers, and even some of our frequent fliers. Everything that comes in the ED is not an emergency, and when an actual emergency comes rolling through the door, it's time to switch gears from fun to critical and get the job done.

sserrn, BSN · Jan 5, 2012

You'll do just fine in the ER. (ED = erectile dysfunction. Just sayin'.) The notion that you have to have a particular kind of personality to do ER nursing is bogus. Your instructor probably would've said the same of me, and I love it and can't imagine doing m/s or icu or rehab, etc., etc.

nightnursecarol · Jan 5, 2012

It all depends on what you're looking for. I was a new grad when I started in the ED 10 years ago. It's a good learning experience, but I personally feel that Med/Surg should be starting point for all new grads. Today, many Emergency Depts. do not hire new grads. Not sure what state you are in, but in NY you have to expect overcrowding EDs which means that you may be overworked in a fast paced environment, with an unsafe nurse patient ratio. If a mistake happens you can't cry behind, "I had too many patients", especially if you accept. However, It's unlikely that a new grad will get a difficult assignment, or a critical patient. Of course, after a while, it will happen. I'm sure you'll be great, especially if you're open to learning and if you have an excellent preceptor. TIP#1 ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS. It's better to be the nurse that don't know, than the nurse that ended up in a court room. :nono: Keep in mind that you can always transfer, if it's not for you. Good luck with your decision and Enjoy the ride!

nightnursecarol · Jan 5, 2012

It all depends on what you're looking for. I was a new grad when I started in the ED 10 years ago. It's a good learning experience, but I personally feel that Med/Surg should be starting point for all new grads. Today, many Emergency Depts. do not hire new grads. Not sure what state you are in, but in NY you have to expect overcrowding EDs which means that you may be overworked in a fast paced environment, with an unsafe nurse-patient ratio. If a mistake happens you can't cry behind, "I had too many patients", especially if you accept. However, It's unlikely that a new grad will get a difficult assignment, or a critical patient. Of course, after a while, it will happen. I'm sure you'll be great, especially if you're open to learning and if you have an excellent preceptor. TIP#1 ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS. It's better to be the nurse that don't know, than the nurse that ended up in a court room. :nono: Keep in mind that you can always transfer, if it's not for you. Good luck with your decision and Enjoy the ride!

nightnursecarol · Jan 5, 2012

It all depends on what you're looking for. I was a new grad when I started in the ED 10 years ago. It's a good learning experience, but I personally feel that Med/Surg should be starting point for all new grads. Today, many Emergency Depts. do not hire new grads. Not sure what state you are in, but in NY you have to expect overcrowding EDs which means that you may be overworked in a fast paced environment, with an unsafe nurse patient ratio. If a mistake happens you can't cry behind, "I had too many patients", especially if you accept. However, It's unlikely that a New Grad will get a difficult assignment, or a critical patient. Of course, after a while, it will happen, but a strong ER team will be available for you and the patient. Team work in the ED is common. I'm sure you'll be great, especially if you're open to learning and if you have an excellent preceptor. TIP#1 ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS. It's better to be the nurse that don't know, than the nurse that ended up in a court room. :nono: Keep in mind that you can always transfer, if it's not for you. Good luck with your decision and Enjoy the ride!

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2012

My crystal ball is on the fritz. I'll get back to you when it's out of the shop.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2012

But seriously, it sounds like Emergency is where you want to be, and if that's the case, then I think that's where you should go. Job satisfaction is an incredibly important piece when it comes to providing good patient care. Nurses that are happy where they work are going to take better care of people, in my opinion. While I think it's entirely possible to dislike your place of work and still provide great care, I think the care is going to be even better if you are happy with your job. And, you'll be happier too!

The above poster does bring up some good points, though. In my ED, the only time you'll ever be one on one with a patient is if they're a trauma or a resuscitation. Otherwise, you'll still end up with a full patient load, even with some very sick/busy patients. Even in an ED with great teamwork, your fellow nurses will be overloaded at times too, and might not be able to keep an eye on your other patients while you're stuck in a room one on one with someone busy.

In an ICU environment, you'll gain more experience with vents, art lines, ICP monitoring, IABPs, multiple drips, etc., that will transfer well to the ED later on if you still want to go there, and in a Level 1 Trauma Center, your ICU nurse to patient ratio will never exceed 1:2, if I am not mistaken.

I did not work ICU prior to starting in the ED, and believe me, the nurses I work with in the ED who have an ICU background are a tremendous resource.

happyinillinois · Jan 6, 2012

Sounds like you'd be great! The ER isn't all blood and guts, adreneline and trauma, in fact, its rarely that. Everything you see on the floor probably worked its way through the ER. Lots of elderly, chest pain, UTI's nausea/vomiting and things that could've been taken care of in a primary care setting! Add in drunks with blood alcohol levels of .247's and psych's and that is more your typical night. However, you get to touch so many people's lives and they really appreciate the kindness shown to them. I love the variety of patients. We definately work together as a team form the techs to the docs. We know we can't do it without each other!