good bye ER... maybe

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 28, 2016

Stay PRN, you might miss it. Or not. Have you been in one ER the whole 9 years? Ever thought about transport/flight nursing?

Ryan RN · Feb 28, 2016

Been in like 5 ERs but i always had one home ER

I also did ground critical care transport for several months, one of the best er jobs nobody talks about

Flight is hard to get into

Editorial Team / Moderator · Feb 28, 2016

I am looking at an Informatics position after 11 years of nothing but ER, minus a 9-month detour to Afghanistan that was like traumapalooza. It's scary to change, but exciting too. I also plan on PRN if (when) I leave the ER setting. The thing is, we know that the ER will always be there if we miss it too much. :) Best of luck!

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 28, 2016

I just left a doc ER position after 4 years. Im loving my new spot in Cath Lab

more coffee · Feb 28, 2016

I have been in the ER for almost a year & am ready to get out . I am applying to NP school & may stay on as PRN but not full time.

ProgressiveThinking, MSN, CRNA · Feb 29, 2016

ER is burnout. Come to the ICU where you can stabilize your 2 patients and then relax and surf the internet (jk, sorta), and then tell the ER that you're full and can't accept anymore patients. In all seriousness though, I have a coworker who worked the ICU for 10 years and then went to GI lab. He ended up missing the grind of it all and came back.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Feb 29, 2016

ER is burnout. Come to the ICU where you can stabilize your 2 patients and then relax and surf the internet (jk, sorta), and then tell the ER that you're full and can't accept anymore patients. In all seriousness though, I have a coworker who worked the ICU for 10 years and then went to GI lab. He ended up missing the grind of it all and came back.

I did ICU for over 3 years and hated it. I liked the skills I learned such as CRRT, post open hearts, but having the same patient for weeks to months then pulling life support....brutal. I've only got 3 1/2 years in ER but find it much more enjoyable. Plus I'm one of the few calm ones when setting up a central line, starting multiple drips or dealing with an alarming vent, etc. I thought I'd miss it a bit but not really. I'd really like to go to IR/catch lab someday when I'm finally burnt out on ER.

GatezRN · Feb 29, 2016

ICU to school nurse Still stay on per diem at the hospital, no so much because I miss it, but the extra money and being able to dictate when I work is worth it.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 29, 2016

I did ER for 10 years (level 1 trauma center inner city knife and gun club). Became APRN - miss the ER every single solitary day!

wannabecnl · Mar 1, 2016

I had a friend who worked many years in the ED and switched to school nursing for a better schedule and benefits. I think she spent a year or two before she was back in the ED. Not that this would be your experience, but I agree with posters above who recommend that you keep the ED in your back pocket as a per diem. I do wish you luck in endo!

ohiobobcat · Mar 1, 2016

I worked in the ER for 5 years and then left to become a school nurse. I stayed per diem for a bit, but my daughter was having some pretty serious health problems at the time and it was more important to be there for her (single mom here!) than to pick up extra shifts.

There are time I miss the ER, other times I am A-OK with my choice to leave. I really miss the camaraderie with my co-workers, docs/PAs, and EMS people. I don't miss being charge AND taking patients (that was how it worked in our ER).