ER vs ICU nursing

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i've been in the ER for 5 years. mostly as a tech. as a nurse however i feel like i would learn more in the CCU or ICU. The RN specific duties are more in the ICU and CCU. I feel like all i do in the ER is give dilaudid, document, give nitro, document, give lopressor document, give some phenergan, document, start iv's, document, hang NS, document. Does anyone feel the same way?

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i've been in the ER for 5 years. mostly as a tech. as a nurse however i feel like i would learn more in the CCU or ICU. The RN specific duties are more in the ICU and CCU. I feel like all i do in the ER is give dilaudid, document, give nitro, document, give lopressor document, give some phenergan, document, start iv's, document, hang NS, document. Does anyone feel the same way?

i do both.

the icu/ccu is the same thing...

just add: change tube feeds and clean poop to the above!:chuckle

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And also to the ICU/CCU scene add: call Dr, wait for Dr., listen to Dr. verbally abuse you on the phone for calling ; write verbal orders, track Dr. down later in the day to sign off on verbal orders

I *love* not having to call DR's in the ER. Also, you know how in ER if you have a patient who is well, not someone you would want to spend the entire day with ? They either go home or are admitted. In ICU/CCU they are yours for the entire day...no admitting them to another unit,etc.

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good point

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Don't forget... in the bed...out of the bed....in the bed...out of the bed.

Sometimes you get to spend all day going to CT/MR, too!!

Seriously, you'll learn a lot at first, then be bored. Just like if you went to the cath lab or PACU, etc. The first two years are great, then its...in the bed/out of the bed!

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Don't forget... in the bed...out of the bed....in the bed...out of the bed.

Sometimes you get to spend all day going to CT/MR, too!!

Seriously, you'll learn a lot at first, then be bored. Just like if you went to the cath lab or PACU, etc. The first two years are great, then its...in the bed/out of the bed![/quote

is this the ER you're talking about?

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I've done both, too. You will learn/master different skills in each dept. Personally, I like being in the ER - kind of like solving a mystery....is this pt really sick and if so, what is it? I, also, dont care about having the same pt everyday all day as in the rest of the hospital.

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Specializes in Med/Surg; Critical Care/ ED.

I've read some negatives about ICU and ER work and just wanted to add my two cents. I started working in a neuro ICU last October and LOVE it. The rapport you establish w/ families is wonderful and I love rejoicing w/ them when their family member improves. I also feel very honored when the family feels close enough to you to want them by your side when their loved one dies. Our staff has a great rapport w/ the doctors, which gives us a great deal of autonomy. I am still new and have lots to learn, but I've worked side by side w/ nurses who have been in their 10 - 16 years and they learn new things every day as well. If you feel stagnant in your current position, I would recommend a change. You may find your niche, after all. And if you don't, if you feel you've made a mistake, you can always go back to ER nursing. I always advocate for change if someone is considering it. If you don't at least try, you'll always wonder "what if?"

Good luck!

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