An Irrelevant Observation

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Mar 3, 2015

It is a warm place where people can hang out who do not have a home to go to. Additionally, it amazes me that "watching the pass" now seems to include ER waiting rooms. Plus, it is one of the few places that is open 24/7 and has coffee.

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2015

It is a warm place where people can hang out who do not have a home to go to. Additionally, it amazes me that "watching the pass" now seems to include ER waiting rooms. Plus, it is one of the few places that is open 24/7 and has coffee.

I'm naive. What's "watching the pass"?

No Stars In My Eyes · Mar 4, 2015

I believe it used to be referred to as "people watching".

Least that's my take on it.....

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 5, 2015

I could never figure out why so many mothers figured that 3AM was a good time to take their toddler to the ER with an ear infection they'd had for two weeks. I "got it" when a co-worker explained that the bars just closed and the kid's daddy is on the way home with a skinful . . . it's a good time to be out of the house and there just aren't that many safe places to go at that hour.

westieluv · Mar 5, 2015

Just spent the evening with my brother at the local ED.
Has anyone else noticed that the later the hour, the more the crowd in the waiting room resembles "The People of Walmart"?

To be blunt: They don't have to get up for work the next day, so they can just go home and sleep in if they want to, and many of them will never see a bill, so who cares if they really need to be there or not?

How's that for a jaded old nurse who's not quite a crusty old bat but well on my way?

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 6, 2015

I'll just leave this here

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No Stars In My Eyes · Mar 6, 2015

I am so happy to be "Springing Ahead" one hour on Saturday night. That means the clocks and my dogs' stomachs will be in agreement. They don't do well with being told "It"s too early; too early! Twirly! HUSH!"

CryssieD · Mar 7, 2015

ER is definitely the place to see the dregs of humanity in all their glory! Besides, where else can you go at 3 am to get free food, drugs, and TLC?

No Stars In My Eyes · Mar 7, 2015

Oh! I thought we were just being irrelevant in general, and not just talking about where the hoi polloi swarm during the night.

I've seen it, too, entire families camping out in the waiting room; *knock on wood* I don't have to be a part of humanity on parade at the triage desk!

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Mar 7, 2015

Just spent the evening with my brother at the local ED.
Has anyone else noticed that the later the hour, the more the crowd in the waiting room resembles "The People of Walmart"?

you hit the nail on the head, i have even overheard patients calling outside friends, with comments as "the doc on tonight is prescribing really good drugs".....

psu_213, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2015

To be blunt: They don't have to get up for work the next day, so they can just go home and sleep in if they want to, and many of them will never see a bill, so who cares if they really need to be there or not?

What I find interesting is that these are the individuals who often complain the most that things aren't moving along fast enough. "Two weeks is long enough to sit around with this toothache! I got here before that person!" ('That person' happens to be having an acute stroke, but that is only a minor detail.)