ER the most physically demanding?

RN and Mommy · Dec 15, 2005

I work on a combined Ortho/Neuro unit. Very heavy patients! A lot of lifting!

scrmblr · Dec 16, 2005

I've worked ortho and ER. I did faaaaar more lifting on my ortho stint than I have so far in the ER.

But, on the flip side, I seem to be on my feet more and running more in the ER...

Trauma Columnist · Dec 16, 2005

Well, we do lift the 600# patients in the ER. However, they go to the ICU or floor and believe me - they haven't lost any weight - they still weight 600#. So...I think its the same whereever since they are the same patients.

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Dec 17, 2005

Well, we do lift the 600# patients in the ER. However, they go to the ICU or floor and believe me - they haven't lost any weight - they still weight 600#. So...I think its the same whereever since they are the same patients.

Very good point.:)

Jen2 · Dec 17, 2005

I agree with TraumaRUs! The lifting in the ED usually consist of lifting them from the stretcher to the ED bed, then from the ED bed to the CT table, then back to the ED bed and then to the admit bed. It doesn't sound too bad but when you do it 20+ times a day it sure can be. I find in my ED the physical part is more running and standing than anything. The floors in our hospital usually have a place where nurses can sit down and chart. In my ED the middle part is a huge open area with a couple of chairs and a few computers, not really anywhere to sit and chart. When I work I am honestly on my feet the whole 12 hours less the 30 minute lunch that I get. We also transport all of our own patients to the floor so pushing the beds around all over the hospital can be very trying. Nursing is a physical job no matter where you work, but I do feel like in the ED everyday is like a Tybo workout for twelve hours. It never fails every time I do chest compressions, I am sore for at least three days afterwards.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Dec 18, 2005

Since I work in a pediatric facility, 99% of the lifting is not an issue. But I often need earplugs for the crying and screaming

Hahahaha!

Annor · Dec 18, 2005

Is the ER the most physically demanding of the nursing specialties? i know its really fast paced and stressful, but i was told it was the hardest (most tiring i guess)
so do you all have to like, overhead press 400 pound patients? caber toss unruly drunks and crack addicts?
no really, what sort of lifting and physical type work does the job entail?

Med-Surg ..most physically demanding ,IMO

and mentally too

BabyRN2Be · Dec 18, 2005

I think that each department has aspects which make it more physically/emotionally demanding when comparing it to other areas of nursing. I think that one needs to compare and contrast different areas before making a decision on what area of nursing is the most demanding. What is demanding for some, may not seem so demanding to others.

aquaphoneRN · Dec 30, 2005

I really havn't found the ER that physically demanding, other than the fact that you are CONSTANTLY on your feet and never sit.

As far as lifting goes, if you think ER is bad try Ortho or Rehab! (No disrespect intended to my fellow ER nurses, of course there is lifting in the ER)

ClaireMacl · Dec 31, 2005

I think the ED is more emotionally draining that physically. Sure, we spend approx 11 of our 12 hours on our feet constantly more than often, but I don't find that as hard as the emotional aspect. For instance, last night I ran resus and aside from the chest drain, MI, new AF, suspect chest pains, the 1yo burns baby and confused subdural I had, I also had three cardiac arrests who all died in the room with me.

I personally never had a night on the wards like that when I was there.