Does it get "easier"?

Momma1RN, MSN, RN, APRN · Oct 31, 2015

I was on my phone posting this and just realize there are tons of threads on this, so i'm heading over to read them. Couldn't figure out how to delete this post :)

Get404 · Oct 31, 2015

I'll give you a simple answer as a former Firefighter/EMT of 10 years: If you are trying to freeze, you just need more training. You are simply pausing to take in what's happening. It's new, it's normal, and you can condition yourself against it by practice, training, experiences and more training. It took a while to feel comfortable running into situations that everyone else was running out of!

rearviewmirror, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2015

As a floor nurse who became an ER nurse, yes it is very very normal and common to feel overwhelmed. I felt like quitting and really inadequate until 3 months in and then it started to get better. At a about 6 month you are accustomed to the ED flow; anxiety r/t stemi, code stroke, SVT, etc they take time and experience and that's just something we all have to go through.

I love ed more than anything. Hope you get used to it quickly!

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 31, 2015

I'll give you a simple answer as a former Firefighter/EMT of 10 years: If you are trying to freeze, you just need more training. You are simply pausing to take in what's happening. It's new, it's normal, and you can condition yourself against it by practice, training, experiences and more training. It took a while to feel comfortable running into situations that everyone else was running out of!

Nursing is much different from ems/ff in that your training is school and then orientation. During orientation you're exposed to as many different pt situations as possible and learn in real life. Scenarios once you're of orientation are rare. You "train" in real time on live (sometimes dead) pts.

OP, yes, it does come easier as you gain experience, i.e., training.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Nov 1, 2015

OP, you are novice in a new specialty, but you still are a nurse nonetheless.

Once you become comfortable in accepting that, it gets easier.

Self study; find the ENA book and the Sheehy's manual on Amazon; seek out your resources, such as the staff educator and your preceptor.

I've been in the ED for 8 months and I still struggle some days; the feedback I get is that I'm being too hard on myself.

I still self study some days-those days where I've struggled, I used a day off to self study and put what I learned into practice the next shift.

Best wishes! you will get through it!

lumberjackAZRN · Nov 1, 2015

Totally gets easier! The pace will never change, but you will find yourself not being so frazzled all the time and not always needing to "catch up". I too work in a very busy ER non-trauma where I started as a new grad. I think starting in a ER as a new grad is easier than transferring from the floor because you know nothing else, whereas when you come from the floor you are used to a different routine and pace. I work with a few nurses who have transferred from the floor and have felt the same way, but are now cruising (and sinking) with the rest of us. Hang in there, you got this

Also, if it turns out that you dont think ED is something for you, you can always change!... especially with some ED experience under your belt now.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2015

It does get easier. Also, sometimes people get specialized unofficially in ER. I am better in triage because of my background where I triaged frequently as a paramedic in an ER. I am ok at 1:5 med-surg but I am good at 1:3. At my other job, we have a guy who is a go to for IVs. One girl is the peds nurse.

Bobjohnny · Nov 1, 2015

It does get easier. Also, sometimes people get specialized unofficially in ER. I am better in triage because of my background where I triaged frequently as a paramedic in an ER. I am ok at 1:5 med-surg but I am good at 1:3. At my other job, we have a guy who is a go to for IVs. One girl is the peds nurse.

I know the feeling. I'm always in 1 of 3 places (partly because our department has hardly anybody with any experience anymore): trauma bay, triage or in charge.

OP: Freezing just means you need more experience. My first GSW I stood there in the doorway for the trauma bay looking at the guy for a good 5 or 10 seconds before I remembered what I was supposed to being(which was get out of the way since I was about 40 minutes into my 2nd shift on orientation). It gets easier with time.