Average Tenure as ER Nurse?

TazziRN, RN · Apr 24, 2007

No idea what the average is but I've been in the ER nearly 19 years. I still love it. I burned out once before but when I took time off to rest, I realized I wasn't burned out on ER work, just the ER I was at. It was a toxic environment and I needed to leave. I went to another ER and have been happy there for several years now.

stillpressingon · Apr 24, 2007

Tazzi - great info. I'm quitting a job at a busy urgent care center and I was thinking I didn't like UCC work, but it's the mgmt, not the type of work.

Red - have you tried working in some sort of CCU? Maybe a different ER, but maybe a different specialty all together. I think the burn-out rate depends on more factors than just what's going on in the hospital. If I'm under a ton of stress outside of work, then I'm gonna be beat down INside of work, too, even though it's not directly related to, say, ER stuff.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Apr 24, 2007

Day shift at my place has many nurses that have been there for 20-30 years. They couldn't work any other area even if they wanted they are so rooted.

Maybe you need a break in the ICU or something for a while.

mamalle · Apr 24, 2007

our day shift doesnt have turnover- they all are long term employees- night shift on the other hand cannot keep staff. I did ER for 3 years working 3p-3a before I said cant do it three days a week. I always did 3 per diem shifts but backed down and work mainly 7a-7p now and work outpatient pacu. Its a nice balance for me. I work 2 days in pacu and depending on what my schedule is at home anywhere from 2- 4 shifts a month in the ER.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 24, 2007

I did level one trauma center for 10 years! Worked 1900-0700 and 1500-0300. Would love to go back but then would be wasting my MSN and APN. Loved it though and still miss it very much - I left in June 06.

allnurses Guide · Apr 26, 2007

Same ER going on 10 years. Take a leave of absence if you can, just let yourself heal up. Every time I'm gone for a while, I start missing it. :monkeydance:

rachelaleanRN2B · Apr 27, 2007

Sally, as you know I have been gone for almost 8 months and I was really burned out when I left. I am still an er nurse at heart and miss the er terribly (not the EC but the ER) if you know what I mean. I know that you are an er nurse at heart too and that will never change. Try another ER, I think you'll be happier. PM me and I'll share some interesting things about where I'm going that may interest you.

Rachel

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2007

I have been feeling really, really burnt out lately. I used to love my job and look forward to going to work everyday. Now it seems like every new patient is a new stress that I will leave feeling "incomplete" about. I find myself wishing I had critical care holds so I could spend the time with them that is enough to leave me feeling satisfied about the care I've given. I don't know if I'm going through a temporary burn-out or if this is forever...
Are any of you going through this, or have you experienced this before?
Just out of curiosity, I was also wondering if anyone knows any statistics on the average number of years spent as an ER RN before moving on to other departments/careers...
Thanks
Sally

Dont know any averages.

Ive been an ER RN for over 2 decades and counting, and thats after being A Fleet Marine Corpsman back in 1968 to 1972. And still counting