Do I need a certain personality to work in the ER?

Katnip, RN · Aug 7, 2009

Without actually knowing you, it's hard to say. I worked in ED, and am thinking about going back. The ADD thing might be an asset or a hinderance. I have ADD, don't take meds and did ok.

It's both patient and task focused, really. You have to be constantly jumping from one to the next and reprioritizing. You need to drop what you're doing to help with a code then go immediately back to what you were doing in the first place.

Can you spend a day or two in your ED shadowing to see if it's for you?

Larry77, RN · Aug 7, 2009

If you aren't the type of personality that works in the ED I think you will know right away. You do have to be a lot faster than you are up in the ICU and you probably have to change the way you assess a patient (problem focused, rather than head to toe). I have seen some ICU nurses do very well, and others fail miserably. I think another big adjustment is the fact that we are working off of either a c/o or a presenting s/s not a dx.

As far as your personality we tend to be just as "mean" as the ICU nurses lol but we are more active and tend to strive on chaos. If you can think and move fast I don't think your ADD will affect you but if you have to check a med 10 times and give all IVP's over 5-10 min you might be in trouble :-)

Jahna · Aug 7, 2009

Is there a way for you to float down there for a couple of shifts to see how you fit? I know in my facility they do entertain that sort of thing.

RoyalNurse · Aug 7, 2009

Is there a way for you to float down there for a couple of shifts to see how you fit? I know in my facility they do entertain that sort of thing.

I shadowed a couple nurses already, but this is a slow time for the ER, I guess every August is slow. It wasn't as bad as I thought, we saw 8 patients in 4 hours. Today I just went with my gut and accepted a position!! I've found that over-analyzing doesn't help anything. I'm really excited about this, I think I'll learn a lot!

mykidzmom · Aug 7, 2009

i think you will do great. i think you ED and ICU nurses are a special breed unto yourselves. i mean this in the most admiring, respectful way. i wouldn't last a week in either place. congratulations!

mykidzmom · Aug 7, 2009

one more thing--that "gut feeling" your manager had was probably sickness over the potential for losing a good nurse. if she didn't think you were a good nurse, she would have let you go easier. she wanted to keep you for herself!

beachmom · Aug 7, 2009

You have to be able to think quickly and be calm in emergencies. You've probably had plenty of experience with emergencies in ICU, just a different kind than in ER.

I'm a good floor nurse, but in emergencies I still get the "deer in the headlights" feeling. I have no desire for the ER.

Hope it goes well for you. It will at least be an adventure.

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2009

I don't think there is one ideal "personality". Thick skin is a good trait!

The best thing about nursing - OPTIONS - try and see. I have seen many folks grow into many different roles. Job shadow and heck, try - you have a critical care knowledge base - so what is the harm in trying. You will either do well or flounder - but, give yourself a chance.

I have never really regretted anything I have done - but, I sure wish I had taken some of the opportunities I passed on.

Dog analogy -

True, the ER is full of the "pit bulls" --- as a rule "poodles" struggle in the pack. But many a pomeranian has done well - not because they are full of bark and bite - but, because they can bite at just the right spot when necessary. Woof!

Good Luck and Bark On!