How do you know if your meant to work in the ER?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hello,

I'm currently in school getting ready to go off to clinicals. I have had my heart and mind set on the ER for the longest. I love the fast paced, bloody gory things that go on. But how do I know for sure that the ER is the place for me? How did you know the ER was the place for you? How do you handle the pressure? I just have a lot of questiions.

@Pudnluv: love it! If you are OK with what gets presented, you are well on your way. One of my personal favs that drives my partner insane....someone asks "what's that spot on your scrubs?". You look, shrug, and say "Hard tellin'"...or black becomes your scrub color of choice precisely because "spots" don't show ' and you are entirely ok with that!

@Sevag: I appreciate that. Glad it's helpful for you.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I generally agree with what's been posted above, but I'll add a longer term perspective.

Lots of folks burn out around the 2-year mark ... when they think they've seen/heard it all ... and all patients are stupid/lying/abusing the system, all family members don't know what they're talking about, all floor nurses are lazy, all PCPs do is dump their patients in the ER, etc. etc. etc.

Those who can stick around longer, and who can reclaim some fundamental positive feeling about humanity and sort through the mess that we see daily WITHOUT internalizing the bitterness ... are those who are "meant" to work in the ER.

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This long term perspective is such a good idea. As emergency nurses it is easy to get jaded. We do ourselves a favor when we step back and realize that we NEED the floor nurses to finish caring for those patients who have been stabilized but can't be discharged home. And without all those walk-ins who should have gone to their PCP, some of us would be out of a job or put on call because of overstaffing. The ER is only one unit in a hospital. Learn what goes on in the ICU and on Med-surge/telemetry units so you know where your patients are going and what happens after you finish your care.

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Its realy easy to tell what department you are made for the one you feel most comfortable in before i was in nursing school i always knew i wanted to be a nurse in the ER i done some clinicals in the ER and then it was a deffinent for me i was made for the ER now im working there and i love it i feel real comfortable there

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
Things I look for when I precept new-grads (15+ yrs in an ER):

- Eagerness (If everyone is rushing to a room, I want to see them rushing too without me telling you.)

- Outgoing (You can't be shy in the ER!)

- Strong Personality (Got to Challenge ER Docs at times)

- ADD (They are best focused in chaos "traumas")

- If you like the Adrenaline Rush

- Must have a good sense of humor! (All the politically incorrect jokes said among-st ER staff, can usually never be said in any other department)

GoodLuck!

Wow, This makes me happy. I too feel like I would love trauma nursing but have no idea if I would be any good at it. Are you saying ADD is a good thing?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

Wow, This makes me happy. I too feel like I would love trauma nursing but have no idea if I would be any good at it. Are you saying ADD is a good thing?

God yes! We are creative, multitasking, and quick to change gears easily when it's needed. Not to mention that we are used to chaos in our heads so actual chaos (a megacode for example) isn't as concerning. And our "shiny penny" moments are usually linked to "look, an allergy tattoo" moments that can save someone a reaction. Because our brains are constantly taking everything in without the "stop signs" normally built in, we are quick to see all of what's going on and assimilate it... BUT you have to train your brain to do it. It's a two way trap. Sometimes you have to stop, breathe, and recalculate and re-prioritize. Then go-go-go again.

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Specializes in Peds ED, Peds Stem Cell Transplant, Peds.

I didn't know for sure until I started working it.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
God yes! We are creative, multitasking, and quick to change gears easily when it's needed. Not to mention that we are used to chaos in our heads so actual chaos (a megacode for example) isn't as concerning. And our "shiny penny" moments are usually linked to "look, an allergy tattoo" moments that can save someone a reaction. Because our brains are constantly taking everything in without the "stop signs" normally built in, we are quick to see all of what's going on and assimilate it... BUT you have to train your brain to do it. It's a two way trap. Sometimes you have to stop, breathe, and recalculate and re-prioritize. Then go-go-go again.

OMG that makes so much sense!!! I have ADHD....pretty severe, and I've always assumed it would be a hindrance. I've also as of late been seriously thinking the ER would be the place fore me. I love to work, and I love to be super busy. Don't know how I would be at the rest of it, but I guess I'll find out sooner than later.

I tell people I am just like the Dog from "Up". Squirrel.....squirrel......squirrel....... ;-)

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If your tough enough, alert, smart, knows how to triage patients, fast moving, fast thinker. If you love to handle trauma cases, cardiac and emergency cases. Being an ER nurse is not that easy.. Must a be good decision maker, quick thinker because time is very important for saving a patient. Be sure in what you are doing. You must have a strong personality and competitive. I am proud i'm one. :)

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