Help me find the positive in this

jjjoy, LPN · Feb 29, 2008

You can learn a lot in the unit secretary role that will help you as an RN and also just in understanding how the different roles work together. If there were no US, the RN would be doing those things, just like if there were no techs, the nurses would be doing their work.

I don't know how much the position differs in the ED versus on the floor, but on the floor, the US assists the RNs with things like entering MD orders, putting in calls to MDs, and sending labs out. This means the US gets very familiar with the typical orders (drug names, dosages, lab tests) and becomes more comfortable communicating with MDs - useful skills for the aspiring nurse that the CNA or tech generally wouldn't be exposed to, depending on their role.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 1, 2008

MANY benefits of the US job. You get to learn about different labs, xrays, CT's, how to order, what they are. You get to develop a relationship with the docs. You get to learn how to read the docs handwritting. You learn invaluable resources that will help you when you become a nurse, like who to call at 0300 when you patient needs a dinner tray, or where such in such is located. You learn to multi task.

b eyes · Mar 1, 2008

There are many positive in your new role. You will be able to help out the secretaries when they are busy, you will understand their role and their responsibiliites and like everyone else has said, you are part of a team...a very important part of working in the medical profession is being able to work and function as a team.

I hope that you can see the other side and enjoy your new role. :yeah:

b eyes

snortzmom · Mar 1, 2008

I am a new ER nurse with 9 months experience and also worked as a tech.. I WISH I had worked as a US.. You will be so far ahead of the game. You will know nursing protocols before you start. You will be familiar with labs, tests, what x-rays need to be ordered for what, make networking connections, be familiar with phone numbers.. I think that you should take advantage of this opportunity to work a dual role as EMCT and US. Just consider it studying... K.

cccnurse · Mar 1, 2008

I work in a small rural ER 1 doctor and 2 nurses for both day shift and night shift. After midnight the RN isn't only the ER Nurse, we are also needed to be the code team, trauma team, IV team, triage nurse, lab tech, maintenance, security, pharmacy, supply room stewards, assist with Gift of Life procurements, AND...... Unit Secretary.

Take what you are doing and use it as a learning experience, because you are going to find out as your nursing career gets further along, not only does your responsibility gets bigger, so does the hoops you have to jump through. You also won't know in the future when you might need to fall back on these skills to get your patient what they need.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

As RNs, all of us were required to spend a minimum number of hours in the secretarial role. In trauma ICU, often at night there would be no secretary. During a code situation, someone has to be able to quickly order labs and get blood from the blood bank. That would be an RN.

As others have said, it's a great learning experience. As a nurse tech on a critical care unit working PMs, working the desk was a big part of the job. I'm glad I did it.

zamboni · Mar 1, 2008

When I started at my ER, I was hired as a paramedic in the department. But to get the hours I needed at the time, they moved folks around and I was the US on one of my days. I had never worked at a desk in my life, but I figured I would give it a go, since they created the position just for little ol' me. Besides, I would be in control of things, and I like that.

OMG! I hated it! I was hands down the worst US they had ever had (in hindsight, I wasn't that bad at it). But ya' know, the more I did it, the better I got at it. I kinda imagined that I was air traffic control or the choreographer of a frentic Broadway show. And with time, I started figuring out computer shortcuts that only I knew how to do, which made me a goddess. I never did grow to love it, but I got good enough at it that everyone (including myself) was pretty impressed.

Now, as a nurse in that ER, I totally kick butt when we don't have a secretary. When we don't have a US on that night, I'm irreplaceable (I'm still a nurse, but when the bowel excretement hits the fan I can get things done faster than anyone else). I usually enter all my own orders, so the US loves me. When we can't find some obscure doc's number that we need to call, I know all the secret places where they can be found. Like someone else pointed out, I can read all the docs handwriting, I knew all the protocols for other depts my first day of nursing, and I have every number for our hospital in my

head. Plus, I know what all needs to be included in everyone's charting for QI, and have no problem doing my charges.

Yeah, it's kinda a bummer job for some folks. But it's a great lesson in the workings of your ER that a lot of nurses don't have. When you get your RN, you'll be waaaay ahead of the game there. And honestly, it can be fun...again, it's a control thing. Embrace it. And learn to roll your eyes at someone when no one can see you.

deeDawntee, RN · Mar 1, 2008

In the ED where I work, the unit secretaries are the mecca of knowledge about the hospital and how the department runs. I would see it as a rare opportunity and learn as much as you can.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

WOW. Thanks for the eye opener everyone. I can throw myself into the job more now and have a different attitude which I think will make all the difference.

I work with a super awesome US and I just thought I could never become as good as her. Well maybe I won't be super awesome but I can be competent .

I have the hardest time with the phone stuff. I can barely hear people when they call back and I have to constantly ask them to repeat things and who they are again or spell that name because I really didn't hear it the first time. The ER is such a noisy place and I"m smack in the middle which I like. I can hear just fine in everyday life and I don't think people are mumbling when talking. (so you know I don't have a hearing loss. Plus I had it checked a year and a half back for my school physical and it was normal.) But since I have health insurance I am going to get another hearing test just to rule out any kind of loss.

I think I just need to get the concentration down when I'm on the phone, zero in on the speaker.

Thanks again everyone. Feel free to post any more stuff that you know :)

jjjoy, LPN · Mar 2, 2008

While it may be tough to listen on the phone, wouldn't you rather be learning how to do that while your still *just* than when you're an RN, along with all the other things you'll be figuring out how to do?

It's great that you asked this question instead of just concluding that there was nothing good to come of this dual position! I actually think it would be great if all pre-nursing techs/CNAs had the opportunity to also work as US just for all the reasons mentioned above!

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Mar 2, 2008

While it may be tough to listen on the phone, wouldn't you rather be learning how to do that while your still *just* than when you're an RN, along with all the other things you'll be figuring out how to do?
It's great that you asked this question instead of just concluding that there was nothing good to come of this dual position! I actually think it would be great if all pre-nursing techs/CNAs had the opportunity to also work as US just for all the reasons mentioned above!

hmmmmm yeah. I never really thought about how much of a help this would be for me when I become an RN. I was thinking how terrible I would be as a US and that I would be letting everyone down who depended on me and focused on that too much. If I can get this position down I won't be so bad at it really. My boss said I could have more training if I need it. I get 6 days training right now and won't be afraid to ask for more.

Now that everyone has listed all the things I will be learning I'm going to walk in that ER with a more positive attitude that I"m going to learn something and be a help to everyone. (maybe take a few notes too :) )