I am really liking the ER so far and I find it very challenging both mentally and physically. I'm trying to get a rhythm and flow and am trying to understand the thinking process and work-flow of an efficient ER nurse. My preceptor is a good example. They look and see what needs to be done and starts with that, what meds need to be given, what procedure needs to be done to keep the ER flow going. A quick scan of patients, make sure they are stable, then move on to the tasks and during that process, get vitals, necessary info, assessments.
Somewhere in that flow of proper prioritization (patient needs ABCs and down the line) to getting patients in and out of the ER the charting of vitals, rounding, other documentation is supposed to taking place. I have found that it is very hard to catch up on charting, but the charting needs to be done. When do I do it then? There's got to be a method.
Having a nephew that is an Attorney made me more cautious to discharge another nurses patients without making sure her documentation was up to date. Worked in the ER for 11 years and learned to do most of my charting at bedside, but also kept a note pad in my pocket to document patient's drugs given and vitals if I had to be on the run. So I did not forget anything. Covering for other nurses I made sure I documented anything I did so they would know it was done and to keep the chart caught up. You learn the shortcuts as you go gain more experience.
she244
158 Posts
Having a nephew that is an Attorney made me more cautious to discharge another nurses patients without making sure her documentation was up to date. Worked in the ER for 11 years and learned to do most of my charting at bedside, but also kept a note pad in my pocket to document patient's drugs given and vitals if I had to be on the run. So I did not forget anything. Covering for other nurses I made sure I documented anything I did so they would know it was done and to keep the chart caught up. You learn the shortcuts as you go gain more experience.