ER Personalities

[RN1298]

What kind of personality do you think it takes to work in the ER? What kinds of personalities do you think are NOT a good fit?

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I think this depends on the hospital culture.

One ER I worked in encouraged cowboys - real strong and assertive.

Another ER was in a religious hospital. Their nurses were largely graduates of its school of nursing. They were much more subdued.

I'm generalizing. but the whole culture of these hospitals was very different.

Where will you be working? Inner city with lots of gang trauma and also people coming in with emergency colds? Suburban and presumably less gang trouble? Congrats on your new job!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Yes, congrats on your new job!

I worked in a level one trauma center for 10 years - loved it. My personality is pretty outgoing, type A for sure, not always the most tactful but honest/ blunt. (Gee, I don't sound very nice do I?)

After I worked there for a couple of years I felt very comfortable with whatever came in the door. I think it takes someone who is very organized but willing to roll with the punches. You need to have a set way of doing assessments but have to be willing to change too at a moment's notice.

[Anisettes, BSN, RN]

Kooky and traumaRU both give good advice. I would add though, that the personality I think does NOT fit well into the Trauma/ER environment is the aggressive one. There is a difference between being assertive (good) and aggressive (bad). I find the aggressive personality to cause problems.

The ER can be hectic and people are often at their worst (you, docs, patients, family members). The very LAST personality you want on the healthcare end is the one who takes everything as a personal insult, who's going 'lock this a**hole down', 'show who's in charge' kind of person. You want to diffuse difficult situations not escalate them and I've seen too many of the escalators over the years create dangerous situations. They're really not good 'fits' for most places, certainly not in the ED.

[robinbird]

I would say outgoing, flexible, caring, realistic, forgiving, thick-skinned, a good sense of humor and confident.

I have been working in the ER for a year now and I have discovered that the people I work with are quick to welcome new people, loyal and I love them like they are my family. There's a different relationship that exists between ER staff members. At times it's like we're in a combat zone. We have to be ready for the worst to roll through our door at anytime, yet we have be ready to comfort a little kid as we put a bandaid on his cut.

Our friendships are deep and strong. I feel like any one of them will have my back when the poop hits the fan and I will do the same for them. Welcome to Emergency nursing. I hope you love it as much as I do.

robinbird

[RN1298]

Oh no no...I wish I had a new job! :) I'm just exploring different possibilities...trying to figure out what my niche might be. I know of a few ER opportunities, and while that's always been something I've been interested in pursuing, I'm not sure if I have the personality for it. Debating whether or not to even apply. Thank you so much for your replies. I'm so glad to hear your perspectives!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I would think that assertive type-A personalities would do very well in the ED.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i would think that assertive type-a personalities would do very well in the ed.

yes, assertive type-as all the way!

op: the other type of personalities can be found in an er environment, but they do not last in my experience. the non-assertive and non type-as leave the er after a little while; not because they are not good nurses.... but because they cannot reconcile the er environment with their way of nursing and they cannot accept the er for what it is…. organized chaos. they usually desire some sort of consistency and want co-workers who are not so blunt/direct/in-your-face!

[JBudd, MSN]

What Robin said :)

[traumaholic87]

I would think that assertive type-A personalities would do very well in the ED.

EXACTLY! I would think that the perfect personality for ER would be assertive and firm, in a nice, professional, not too overbearing kind of way. Maybe I'm wrong??

[mybrowneyedgirl, BSN, RN]

I work ER and I think another important point is that you should be the type of person that does not get overly and outwardly stressed in a high stress situation. Those nurses that fail or don't work well with others are those that freak out when things go wrong. You must be able to stay focused. I also agree with the above mentioned qualities of a good ER nurse

[back2bRN]

Calm, focused steady people who use their brains, thinking about things not just acting but knowing when to act and when to think. Those who listen, as well as those able to kick it into high gear when needed. Flexibility, caring, firm. Being able to admit when you don't know and communicate concisely. Yes be assertive, but you don't need to be aggressive. Be self directed, independent and interdependent(at the same time).

The ones who really don't work:

Aggressive ones, those who always have to be right and can't deal when they aren't, those who can't be told anything...(you all know one!),the "cowboys". The ones who escalate any situation. The meek/quiet/slow ones that get walked all over.