Practicum: ER vs. PACU?

Altra, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2008

Many unstable patients in PACU ... I'm not sure that's your low-stress answer.

Just a thought: this practicum is a chance to "grow". You might consider stepping outside your comfort zone. Also give some careful thought to what you personally find stressful: the number of patients? acuity? families/visitors? routine vs. constantly changing environment? peds vs. adults? There are many "flavors" of stress -- some you'll handle without difficulty, while some will clearly not be for you.

Beary-nice · Jan 24, 2008

I am still trying to figure out what is "relatively low stress" in nursing.... :uhoh3:

I know how you feel about finding something in general that maybe doesn't seem like it will take too much of your time, too much thought, too much work because of the rest of the demands of the last semester of school and just plain wanting to be done and cruise right on out of there...but as an above poster mentioned..."the chance to grow" by far will give you a few tidbits on your plate.

If you are given an opportunity to grow and learn, seize the opportunity. Do think about too, what is your goal in the end.

kmoonshine, RN · Jan 24, 2008

I'm biased to ED! In the ED you'll see all types of patients, get practice with assessments and skills, get more familiar with critical patients, maybe get a chance to see a code and do CPR, sent patients to surgery and the cath lab, administer lots of different meds, etc.

When I was first out of school I was so scared of critical paitents and codes because I didn't have any experience with them. I WANTED experience but never had the opportunity to do so while in school. So if you are planning on working on the floor after you graduate, I'd suggest getting some ED experience while you are still a student so you can learn what to anticipate if you do have a critical patient/code. It won't prepare you, but you'll have a better idea and become a little more comfortable.

However, the ED is a different mindset. You fix the short-term problem while other units consider the long-term consequences. For example, we had a patient come in with sats around 82% on 4L via nasal canula - the patient was non-communicative/altered. I placed an oxygen mask on the patient and a newer nurse asked me "What if they have COPD - aren't you worried that you will stop their drive to breathe?". My response: "Well, they won't be breathing much longer if they have no oxygen or suffer brain hypoxia". Also, sometimes how ED nurses think baffles other nursing units.

If you want experience with a wide variety of patient populations and want to get more comfortable with the "unknown", I'd say go ED! Never worked or had experience in the PACU though.

futurecnm · Jan 25, 2008

I am in last semester of nursing school (finally)! I need to choose between the PACU and the ER for practicum. I want something relatively low-stress. Which, is obviously not the ER so I'm leaning towards PACU. Was wondering what everyone's thoughts were (pros/cons) on being a nurse in the ER vs. PACU.

I don't think there is an area that is low stress in hospital nursing!!! I would pick what you are most interested in. i am doing mine in ED right now and love it.

djbrn17 · Jan 25, 2008

if you like a low stress work it will be in the PACU, but ED is very nice to have an unforgettable experience. as a nurse you will have a chance to rotate on different areas which you did not like but you should be ready for any changes.. just follow aht you like and im sure you'll be happy with your choice..