Emergency Nursing - Alpha personalities?

shoegalRN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

I am an ER nurse and I've only been a nurse for 2 years come next month.

No, the ER is not filled with alpha personalities, not where I work anyway. However, I will say you have to be ASSERTIVE and know how to react when poop hits the fan. If you don't know something, there is nothing wrong with saying "I've never done that before" and asking for help.

At my hospital, I found the ER was a hard group to fit into because they are mostly seeing if you really are an "ER" nurse. How well do you respond to traumas, codes, or when something goes wrong. And on top of that, how well are your skills? Are you a nurse that "takes charge" or are you a nurse that "waits for the doctor"? I found this was HUGE in my ER.

I think you will eventually get it. Keep in mind, all those were new once as well. I'm quite sure it took them a while to "get it" too.

Good luck to you!

NuBeeT · Apr 11, 2011

I was working at a small community hsp in LA. The ER there is small, nice and comfy but I wasn't learning anything. I recently got an offer to work at a trauma center in LA as a new grad and I accepted. I'm absolutely more frightened of the nurses than the pt's. So I know what u mean but it seems like a hazing process. I can't give u any advice but I can tell u that I make an effort to be as independent as possible, know my drugs, laws, and I got malpractice. I'm hoping that soon enough these people will come around. Remember to set yourself up for success.... Be the person you would want to work with in this environment. Be strong, assertive, and don't loose your integrity/momentum. I'm right there with you and we got this. XOXO

cadency · May 10, 2011

I feel like I've seen more nursing cannibalism in the ER than I did when I was on the floors. I've also experienced a lot of "favoritism." Certain people given preference by those in power or certain people only being willing to help their "friends."

I don't believe all units are like that and that fitting takes time. Keep your head up and do the best that you can. Don't be scared to put your head out of the room and yell, "I NEED SOME HELP IN HERE." when it happens. Sometimes, that's the only way to get the hep when everyone is busy with their patients...

Good luck!

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · May 11, 2011

ok...please is this a terrible question. is emergency nursing a narcissistic field or just a field with alpha type personalities?

both.... what makes the situation worse is the fact that many ers are poorly managed (or not managed at all) so the inmates on the floor at the bedside run the asylum. btw, i agree that there is a hazing process in the er, the problem with that process is that it is illegal and can cause the death or injury. i find this to be unacceptable behavior. we as nurses need to stop accepting this as "ok" if we are to continue to call ourselves a profession.

ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN · May 14, 2011

I'd be a bit wary of an ER with an average experience level equal to or less than 2 years just for support reasons, but as far as personalities go I wouldn't say we are all Alpha, type A definately, a wall flower would have a hard time fitting in at most ER's, even in our little corner of the world because after midnight we have 2 nurses and 1 doc