ER bashing...where is the love??

Specialties Emergency

Published

Specializes in ICU,ER.

I was just wondering if any one else noticed how it is not only acceptable... but "the norm" for people to berate the ER. The sad part is, it is done by fellow nurses and on this message board quite commonly. It's always the same scenario.... someone starts a thread questioning an ER visit that they or a friend or a family member experienced...and then the thread is bombarded with everyone elses' (mostly negative) experience. I thought this message board and at least the nurses who use it were supposed to be an advocate of nursing. I can't believe some of the things that are said. In general, previous threads have conveyed that ER nurses goof off, have bad attitudes, and are uncaring. If the same were said on a regular occurance about nurses in general... then those posters would be crucified. Not only is it OK to do so but most jump on the bashing bandwagon.

Personally, I think it is simply a matter of ignorance. And I do not mean that term as an insult. (ig'.na.rant)a.uninstructed;uninformed;unlearned-Webster

Good point ... I currently work ER, fill in CCU, teach clinicals Med-Surg ... so see it all. Can't tell you how many times I hear nurses on the floor berating us ER folks. Come on guys ... we really are doing our best, within the confines of a very different setting than the floor. We only have a patient for a couple hours ... it's not enough time to always get a complete history (and that depends on whether they tell us or not) ... not always time to get admission orders started ... we get them stable, get them diagnosed ... start what we can ... but then have to start over with the next patient. Really, it's not that we are dumping on anyone, we just have different priorities - and are expected to "maximize thru-put". Ultimately, it takes all of us to be a team and get the patients the full range of treatment that they require.

Specializes in Pediatrics.

I hadn't noticed the ER-bashing trend... but then not working in an ER I guess I would not be as likely to notice that :) I am sorry you have found that, though. I admire ER nurses. I think you are right- bashing of nurses in other units or other care settings comes from ignorance of what those nurses do... this goes on for every kind of nurse, too, online and in the "real" world- we all get "bashed" by other types of nurses which is a shame. but overall I have noticed a lot of support for every type of nurse, here on allnurses.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
I thought this message board and at least the nurses who use it were supposed to be an advocate of nursing. I can't believe some of the things that are said.

I've have always found that when someone says, "I thought this message board was..........." they are always disappointed.

Let go of any pre-conceived notions you have about this website and take everything with a grain of salt. People come here to vent and it seems overly negative sometimes but overall 99% of the posts aren't like that.

Our ER has a tough and demanding job and they do it well. I couldn't work there and my hats off to them. Most people who bash the ER don't understand what they go through. I'm still irritated that today they send up an admission at 7pm as I'm trying to leave and the nurse is just coming on. Sorry if that's negative, unsupportive and judgemental, but that's my day today.:rotfl:

I've noticed it; there's really nothing to be done about it. I know where you're coming from, if that helps. :)

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I work in an ER too and since I love it, I figure everyone else must too. I try not to let things get to me...I'm a pretty positive person and usually try to convince people not to criticize what they don't know. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt, oh well. Have a nice day.

Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

It is because we let all those durn patients into the hospital.:)

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.
It is because we let all those durn patients into the hospital.:)

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

That's the best laugh I've had all day.

Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

We're one of the most seen departments in the hospital. If a family member gets sick, they come to the ER. If you get a new patient, they're probably coming from the ER.

We're seen more, therefore, we get more publicity (good and bad).

We gripe about the floors too, so I don't sweat it too much.

Specializes in ICU,ER.
I've have always found that when someone says, "I thought this message board was..........." they are always disappointed.

Let go of any pre-conceived notions you have about this website and take everything with a grain of salt. People come here to vent and it seems overly negative sometimes but overall 99% of the posts aren't like that.

Our ER has a tough and demanding job and they do it well. I couldn't work there and my hats off to them. Most people who bash the ER don't understand what they go through. I'm still irritated that today they send up an admission at 7pm as I'm trying to leave and the nurse is just coming on. Sorry if that's negative, unsupportive and judgemental, but that's my day today.:rotfl:

I don't really think that I had pre-conceived notions. But I guess that I did have an expectation that a site named "all nurses" might....well...you know...advocate nursing a bit. I, of all people, understand the need to vent and have vented on occasion on this board.

I have seen more nurses bash the ER.... not the age-old "floor vs. ER" battle..... but when they or family/friends were patients there. All the nurses here get loaded for bear when a celebrity disses the profession. And everyone seems to dislike generalizations....yet sooo many nurses feel the need to say things like....(and I quote from this board)....

".... good nurses know not to stay in the ED..."

"....screaming only makes ED nurses work slower..."

"....the nurses (in the ED) were absolutely terrible.."

"...nursiepoo was making a date with her boyfriend..."

Those are only a few comments of many.

My point is that if someone came onto this board and said things like...

"smart people know not to stay in the nursing profession"

or

"screaming only makes a nurse walk slower"

or

"nurses are absolutely terrible"

...it would be a faux pax (sic).

I'm not saying I am all torn up over this issue...I am merely looking at it with an amused curiosity. I absolutely LOVE being an ER nurse and the comments from a few that don't understand doesn't upset me or anything.... I have been an ER nurse long enough that my skin is wayyy thicker than that. I am just wondering why it's acceptable for the ED to be free game, that's all.

~oh well~

Guess I'll just go back to the ER where I can stay on the phone with my boyfriend, read magazines, ridicule pts in pain, make patients wait for an eternity, laugh and make fun of people, and then wrap it all up by 7P so I can send that patient up to ya..~pokin' you in the ribs~:)

Specializes in ICU,ER.
It is because we let all those durn patients into the hospital.:)

hehehe...too funny!

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.
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I am just wondering why it's acceptable for the ED to be free game, that's all.

~oh well~

Guess I'll just go back to the ER where I can stay on the phone with my boyfriend, read magazines, ridicule pts in pain, make patients wait for an eternity, laugh and make fun of people, and then wrap it all up by 7P so I can send that patient up to ya..~pokin' you in the ribs~:)

Golly! Do you do that too?!!:rotfl:

Maybe its just easier to shoot the deer in the headlights than the one behind the bushes ....... :chuckle :chuckle

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