Being an NP in the ER?

[Bkass94]

I’m currently a nurse in a level 2 ER in New York, but I’ve been really thinking about going back to school. I’ve been a nurse for about 4 years, and I feel like I want more critical thinking involved in my day to day. What are the shifts like being an NP? Do you only get less acute patients to “lighten the load” for the doctors? Or is it a good mix? I love the pace and ER setting so I would love to stay in it as an APP. Any pros and cons would be appreciated!

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I did one semester of clinical rotation in the ED during my ACNP program. I can obviously only give you the situation in that one ER, but here were my impression. I was on night shift and after 1am the staffing was one MD and one NP/PA until 7am. For the most part they alternated taking patients as they arrived, but there was certainly a degree of the lighter cases being turfed to the NP/PA. The MD there didn't do suturing, and he did less peds cases, but that may also be provider specific. Anything called in ahead as a trauma or something emergent went to the MD. He was, however, an excellent teacher and he definitely involved the other providers during codes, intubations, central lines, etc. 

Glad you love the ED setting, took me only one semester to realize that was NOT where I wanted to be. I am good with sick patients and figuring out what/how to treat. I had NO patience for the people that were there for stupid stuff. Good luck with your plans.