Asking for experiences/opinions about ER nursing

Specialties Emergency

Published

Greetings to All,

I am a RN who has worked Med/Surg and Labor/Delivery/Recovery

I float to pediatrics at times. I am considering entering into the field of ER nursing. I am drawn to the need for the wide knowedge-base necessary for working in the ER. I look forward to the variety of patients/conditions to be seen there. I know from my experience working in L&D that I do well in crisis situations. I have the opportunity to take on a ER residency program soon.

My concern though is-how do you ER nurses handle some of the stuff you see in the ER-the child abuse/neglect or just some of the "man's inhumanity to man" that you see on a regular basis? I believe with time/practice, I can become proficient in the clinical aspects of ER nursing. Its the emotional component that makes me hesitant.

Any thoughts, suggestions, ect would greatly be appreciated.

IlovewhatIdo

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Come on over! I've been an ER nurse for 7 years now in a large level one trauma center. Absolutely love it. You are right though that there is a lot of emotional baggage that can come with this job. The child abuse/pediatric trauma is probably the hardest on us. It helps to have some life experience under your belt. I'm 45 and have seen quite a bit even before I came to the ER. However, its not for the faint of heart. Personally, although I'm not very religious, I do believe that there is a place other then here where we go when we die. I try not to dwell too much on the "how" of patient's deaths. Sometimes its very gory. Please don't let anyone deter you though. If you have a support system in place (great co-workers, manager), then go for it. Welcome...

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

ER Nursing is the best, everything else is to tame and boring

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing Advanced Practice.

ED nursing is the best. As I explained to a new VP who knew nothing about the ED. We must know how to handle all age groups from a premature newborn to a centenarian. We must know medicine, surgery, ortho, pediatrics, cardiology, endocrine, OB/GYN, trauma, resuscitation, psych(yech), and more. And to top it off, we must be experts in all of these areas. The ED is a challenging and rewarding place, I would probably not go anywhere else (at least not until I am too old to keep doing it).

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Greetings All

Thank you for your responces. I especially appreciated traumaRUs

welcoming post. I will interview for the ER position and get more information. It sure sounds like everyone that posted loves their job in the ER. Blessings on you as you continue what you do. Will keep you posted.

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