ER to OR

[RN in pink]

I've been working in the county ER of a level II trauma center for just under 2 years. I love the learning that goes on there and the people I work with. I am used to standing up to residents and sometimes other nurses in order to keep my patients safe and alive. I enjoy the rare moments when I am able to comfort a patient and their family, and really touch someone's life. However, I don't enjoy the verbal abuse from my managers and the patients, not getting breaks until 10-11 hours into my shift, and reaching the end of my 12 hour night only to realize that I didn't get to pee even once. With that being said, I've decided that I'm ready for a change. While I don't really want to leave the ER altogether, I am ready to leave this ER. I have applied and am interviewing with the OR, and am excited about a possible opportunity to learn a whole new set of skills. I am wondering if there are any former ER nurses who have moved into the ER who could share with me their feelings about the transition. Did you feel fulfilled as a nurse? Are you glad you moved? Do you pick up the occasional shift in the ER? And, of course any other pearls of wisdom.

Thank you....

[atwhiwwhf]

You must be in the same ER as me, because it certainly sounds like it. I desperately want something new, fresh. I like the ER but dont love it anymore and only after two years. Good luck with the interview. I have one too

[RN in pink]

It's so funny that you recognized me from this brief post. We do work in the same ER...I only hope for a change before we loose touch with the reason we became a nurses.

[GTChick01]

I'm in the same boat as you both, but I doubt we all work in the same ER. LOL. I'm curious about this, too.

Any ER to OR nurses? And did you keep PRN shifts in the ER? If I end up going to the OR, I definitely want to pick up PRN shifts in the ER to keep up my skills (IV's, EKG's, bedside manner, etc).

[linda2097]

2 of my O.R. coworkers used to work in ER. They like the OR better. But be advised that the OR is hard work too. There is a TON of stuff to learn, and will will get verbal abuse from surgeons and coworkers. On the bright side, you will get a full lunch break and coffee breaks 90% of the time.