Do you have to be an adrenaline junkie to work in the ER?

Specialties Emergency

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Do you need to be a ridiculosly booksmart introvert to work in the ICU? Sorry, I know these are just generalizations, but has your experience been that there's truth in these statements? I'm still trying to figure out where I belong in nursing. So far, I've done okay in ltc and survived six months working on a med-surg tele unit. The med-surg unit was waaay too busy for me and the ltc is alright, but did envision myself working outside of geriatrics.

Specializes in Case Management.

I think more you have to really just like being very busy and have mad time management. Imagine charting from opening to discharge on 11 patients in a shift and throw in a code and a whole lot of specimen collection, room cleaning, jetting to CTscan...you never get a rest really.

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Specializes in Education.
I think more you have to really just like being very busy and have mad time management. Imagine charting from opening to discharge on 11 patients in a shift and throw in a code and a whole lot of specimen collection, room cleaning, jetting to CTscan...you never get a rest really.

Do I work with you? Because that sounds like a few of my shifts recently...

Another important skill in the ER is delegation. Is the tech busy? Can I ask them to get a 12-lead and line and lab my patient in room 6 while I get the blood going on my patient in room 9 and catch up on my charting for my two other admits? Oh, and this room needs to be cleaned before the ambulance shows up...

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Specializes in CCRN.

On ICU: I still have no idea what I’m walking into each day, but it’s much more consistent than the ER and not as MANY changes. You never know what patients (except the legit sick ones) will move out, die (it can be completely unexpected, obviously), and maybe end up requiring dialysis (either moving to another room for a water room, or to another unit for a water room), or another piece of equipment requiring a different unit. And unexpectedly working short (which may not seem like a big deal, but that’s for another day). I think it’s hard to see that from the ER side, because we probably look like we are sitting a lot when someone brings a patient up or something.

Very different dynamic, and we are expected to try and keep the environment looking “calm” IMO (to ease the patients who are present- they can sense the tension).

The other factor truly impacting ICUs differently than other areas is the near constant presence of families. Sure, they’re there in other areas- but having worked floor too- the majority are way crazier in the unit because of the circumstances (there are some great ones, too). As opposed to the ER, they’re there that whole 12 hour shift- and when you get there the next day too. Just keep that in mind, I wish someone had warned me what level of patience it takes.

There’s a lot more to be said, but those are a few points. Obviously this is all just my opinion, and not my whole opinion.

And let me add- I have so much respect for all areas. I don’t believe one to be greater or more difficult than another. We all have our challenges and benefits. Whatever area you’re in- I appreciate you.

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On 4/10/2019 at 6:45 AM, rn409 said:

As opposed to the ER, they’re there that whole 12 hour shift- and when you get there the next day too. Just keep that in mind, I wish someone had warned me what level of patience it takes.

When we have ICU patients waiting in the ER for a bed, guess where the family members are...

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Specializes in CCRN.
33 minutes ago, NuGuyNurse2b said:

When we have ICU patients waiting in the ER for a bed, guess where the family members are...

Haha... Trust me, I wasn’t taking the family element away from ER. Never was saying they’re not there. Obviously I know they’re there, I have to call for them when the patient (the ER nurse sends them to our waiting room) gets settled. I hope your patients are not waiting a whole 12 hour shift and the next day. My point was that once the patient is with us, there’s little chance of them going away. So it’s 12 hours, and however many days you’re back.

Some of our patients are there a week or months. I think we can agree that’s worth mentioning when you’re talking differences between the two.

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Specializes in CCRN.
3 minutes ago, rn409 said:

Haha... Trust me, I wasn’t taking the family element away from ER. Never was saying they’re not there. Obviously I know they’re there, I have to call for them when the patient (the ER nurse sends them to our waiting room) gets settled. I hope your patients are not waiting a whole 12 hour shift and the next day. My point was that once the patient is with us, there’s little chance of them going away. So it’s 12 hours, and however many days you’re back.

Some of our patients are there a week or months. I think we can agree that’s worth mentioning when you’re talking differences between the two.

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You don’t necessarily have to be an adrenaline junkie, some nurses thrive off it and others prefer to avoid the chaos. Good management will find what works best for staffing (if able to). If you do thrive off the adrenaline, I think the ER is the place for you, and you’ll enjoy your work more. I just recently moved from med surg to the ER. I noticed on the med surg units I would love the crashing patient/codes

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On 4/13/2015 at 10:15 AM, pugmom79 said:

I did floor nursing for 2 years and hated the monotonous routine of it. I'm in the ED and I finally feel like I am thriving as a nurse. It just depends on what you like. Others love the floor because of the routine. One is not better than the other. Just different.

I agree completely, I just moved to the ER 3 months ago and feel my skills, confidence and career is thriving. As a med surg nurse I hateeeeed going to work I was miserable, I enjoy being at work in the ER

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