ER bashing...where is the love??

[LeahJet]

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

[LeahJet, ASN, RN]

Now...lets see an ER nurse recover an Open Heart in ICU (by yourself..no doctor holding your hand), set up and run a PRISMA, IABP's, etc. And although you style yourself a mover-shaker and using your instincts more than other nurses...i would argue that other units require nurses to use their 'instincts' more...for several reasons...most obviously because in ER you have doc on your hip calling the shots. When you have no doc with you, it's only the nurse...

Um...'fraid I've "been there and done it", thankyouverymuch. I worked in CVU, CCU, and Neuro critical care in Indianapolis. I was an ER nurse before I did that and while I liked working in those units, I missed the ER. I missed actually looking forward to going to work. The ER nurses loved giving report to me and bringing me patients because I knew where they were coming from AND I knew I would be doing my own assessments, getting my own history, and looking up my own labs. I just needed them to give me the "here and nows". I didn't particularly like being spoon fed...but maybe that was just me. And I was used to getting a report from EMS like...."40-something man found down, ETA 3 mins"

While it is nice to have an ER doctor "holding our hands", it was also nice to have only 2 somewhat "established" patients to take care of for 12 hours. All nice and vented and sedated. And I'm not sure the size of the units you worked in, but we had residents, hospitalists, ect. "holding hands" also (on the units).

So, by working in both Critical Care and ER, I feel that I have a grasp on both sides of the issue.

So how long DID you work in the ER? ~bemused grin~

[LeahJet, ASN, RN]

You know what..... I think that nurse in the ER I went to, is probably related to you. I'm guessing you treat your pt's the same way and created this thread to substantiate what you are told. Try to remember the roots of your nursing career, "To care for the pt". The major concern with my incident wasnt mainly how long it took, but how sarcastic, rude and cruely I was treated by a particular nurse, that shouldnt be working as a nurse at all!

Oh for the love of Pete.... I was just laughing because you were doing EXACTLY what I was asking about in my OP. It was like you missed the entire point completely and went into your horrible ER experience.

Because I question the reasons people (nurses) feel they need to be so critical of an area of nursing they don't understand does not make me rude and uncaring....and to be reminded to care for my patients.

I happen to absolutely love my job and that fact is reflected in the care I provide. I get along wonderfully with patients and co-workers. I love the challenge of making disgruntled patients (that had to wait forever or whatever) leave with a smile on their face.

Sorry to say this, but your judgement is wayyyy off on this one. But I'm sure you're a nice person anyway.

[LeahJet, ASN, RN]

I think the biggest reason i'm seeing red is your statement about 'it being the other way around' (regarding the 'dummy nurse' stuff)...that was a naked jab at all nurses outside of the ER.

Well I hate it for you but you got yourself all in a tizzy for nothing... the whole seeing red thing.

What I meant was, and in fact said.... I think the opposite is true reguarding the "er dummy nurse myth"....that we are NOT thought of as dummies. (did NOT say "it's the other way around) that I think all other nurses are dummies....

wow.

now take your right hand, place it on your left shoulder and thump that chip right off.

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

This thread is so full of personal attacks it needs to be closed to prevent further piling on until it can be dealt with. PLEASE remember our terms of service. If a post is a personal attack, report it rather than responding in kind.