ER?

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 25, 2011

Lets's put it this way - Sometimes I can't believe they actually pay me to do this job. So, yeah, I like it. A lot.

otoh, I love pressure, the endorphin rush, the fast pace, the organized chaos and

the autonomy I have to get things going.

FancypantsRN · Mar 25, 2011

Only been in the ER a few weeks now, but I love it!

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

I take breaks and go play in the unit for a while ... but always come back to the ER.

There's no place like home ... :smokin:

Calixan · Mar 25, 2011

I like it. I work in a level one hospital so of course I see a lot of different stuff, and plenty of diversity of illnesses and so you learn a lot. It's fun sometimes and other times not so much. Yesterday for example, I was puked on head to toe literally. I had enough puke on me to fill up over a gallon jug. Had my scrubs cut off, thats how soaked they were. But thats nursing for ya, I guess that could happen any where, not just ER.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 25, 2011

I think it depends on the place you work.

My ER:

constant 4+ hour wait to get in to a bed (patients complain)

Being sick with a new viral infection every other week because patients do not hesitate to cough or sneeze right in your face as your triaging them! Then when you learn your lesson and wear a mask with ANYONE who has anything that is possibly catchy they ask "why are you wearing that, I dont have TB" etc etc...

Working with increasingly arrogent patient's and families for 8 and 12 hours a day...

Large supply of drunks and psychiatric patients (always need need need)

2+ hour wait once patient is in a bed to see a physician on some occasions (patients complain A LOT, not that I wouldn't)

2 doctors for 30 beds + 1 acutely ill patient = 1 doctor for 29 beds (bad)

No medcation protocols to allow administration of pain meds/antiemetics so pukey patients and those in pain waiting for hours for relief (patient's complain)

Not enough floating RNs to help with the initial traige of patients comming in by the vast amount of ambulances (stressful)

Nurses that take 2 patients and take no more unless they are asked to by a charge nurse, and then whine and complain that they have 3 patients with belly aches (even more stressful, if your the nurse that takes 5 an 6 patents at a time)

Charge nurses that do not know how to direct and/or you play favorites!

Nurses that continuously bad mouth other nurses

well there ya have it.... not much to like about it which is why I do not do it anymore...

The only thing I did like about my ER is we saw a lot of sick kids and not to many other nurses wanted them....

Happy

sweetER · Mar 26, 2011

I'm a new grad in ER, but I love it so, so much. The people I work with are amazing- I've never been anywhere with so much teamwork and camaraderie amongst the entire department (dr's, nurses, techs, everyone). I love that even as a new nurse, I can speak openly and bluntly with our dr's/MLPs, tell them what I think about a patient, and they really take what I say into consideration. I love that I get to see so many different types of patients and that there is never a day that was the same as the last. I don't see me going anywhere for a long time.

cwhitebn · Mar 26, 2011

Just starting working in ER and ICU and have to say I LOVE ICU but can hardly stand ER...just not my thing. Too unorganized and you don't know you're patient, only the 10 minutes you spend with them finding out why they are here. Staff ratio is horrible, never enough staff and patients don't understand the word "emergency."

I dread having to go there these days.

MizzERRN · Mar 26, 2011

I love it:) Couldn't imagine doing anything else!

mcknis · Mar 26, 2011

I also am one of those crazy ones that love it! Although we may complain and talk about certain patients, we realize that for those few who are actually sick and require our services, our job matters and we feel great for being able to see them turn around. It is a real uplifting experience to get someone in who is not, or barely breathing and turn them around to the better. Sometimes allowing a patient to die is also a great feeling. There are those who abuse the system, calling EMS for a hang nail, sore throat, or med refill, are allergic to everything but Dilaudid, etc. We see this all the time, but the ER is the place they all turn to when they just aren't sure what to do. It is busy, fast, crazy, but lovable!

GM2RN · Mar 26, 2011

I think it depends on the place you work.
My ER:
constant 4+ hour wait to get in to a bed (patients complain)
Being sick with a new viral infection every other week because patients do not hesitate to cough or sneeze right in your face as your triaging them! Then when you learn your lesson and wear a mask with ANYONE who has anything that is possibly catchy they ask "why are you wearing that, I dont have TB" etc etc...
Working with increasingly arrogent patient's and families for 8 and 12 hours a day...
Large supply of drunks and psychiatric patients (always need need need)
2+ hour wait once patient is in a bed to see a physician on some occasions (patients complain A LOT, not that I wouldn't)
2 doctors for 30 beds + 1 acutely ill patient = 1 doctor for 29 beds (bad)
No medcation protocols to allow administration of pain meds/antiemetics so pukey patients and those in pain waiting for hours for relief (patient's complain)
Not enough floating RNs to help with the initial traige of patients comming in by the vast amount of ambulances (stressful)
Nurses that take 2 patients and take no more unless they are asked to by a charge nurse, and then whine and complain that they have 3 patients with belly aches (even more stressful, if your the nurse that takes 5 an 6 patents at a time)
Charge nurses that do not know how to direct and/or you play favorites!
Nurses that continuously bad mouth other nurses
well there ya have it.... not much to like about it which is why I do not do it anymore...
The only thing I did like about my ER is we saw a lot of sick kids and not to many other nurses wanted them....
Happy

Sounds like many/most ERs. All things considered though, I wouldn't work anywhere else.

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 26, 2011

Working in the ED is like wearing a comfy pair of socks for me. I was pulling my hair out on the ICU step down floor and ICU.

The crazier the better and I'm in my element.