ICU cross training to ER

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Just curious about what some ER nurses think about it? My facility has encouraged ICU to cross train to ER and ER to cross train to ICU. No one is required to, but many of us are very excited about it! I had always wanted to, but was never brave enough and am finally taking the chance. I'm more than anything hoping to learn how to get blood off of a patient other than a central line, IV insertions are not my best skill.

[TylerDurdenRN]

I work ICU and It was interesting, a real eye opener to what happens in the ER before you get them in the ICU, gave me perspective about what to expect and what to prepare for. Because some times things are lost in translation in report, and cross training and now working contingent in our ER lets me know exactly what they look for, what they will know and what they are concerned about most. ER nurses are amazing at dealing with triaging what's important right NOW, and getting things done fast, and amazingly efficient under high amounts of stress.

So you should be pumped, being able to see the complete hospital progression from ER to ICU to Medsurg/step down really improves your nursing skills and your understanding of the way different specialties of nursing think they way they do.

I volunteered, but they should make it mandatory, for reasons I just stated, no nurse would be worse off, everyone no matter the experience level, would learn something.

Good Luck!!!

[Zookeeper3]

I agree, I used to be an ICU float nurse and that included the ER. I had a much better understanding of how the patient is stabilize and the initial work up started, then off to the ICU... it's up to the ICU to take it from there.

Many ICU nurses (no offence), expect a neat package on arrival... lol, I"m exaggerating, but once you've been on the ER side, I'm amazed on how much does get done before they are shipped to the ICU.

I loved playing "guess the diagnosis" when pt's arrived in the ER, and became very adept in guessing what the ER docs would order for a work up. It's pretty cool and it improves relations between the nurses!

[GM2RN]

I agree, I used to be an ICU float nurse and that included the ER. I had a much better understanding of how the patient is stabilize and the initial work up started, then off to the ICU... it's up to the ICU to take it from there.

Many ICU nurses (no offence), expect a neat package on arrival... lol, I"m exaggerating, but once you've been on the ER side, I'm amazed on how much does get done before they are shipped to the ICU.

I loved playing "guess the diagnosis" when pt's arrived in the ER, and became very adept in guessing what the ER docs would order for a work up. It's pretty cool and it improves relations between the nurses!

I completely agree with all of this.

I think cross-training is a fabulous idea!

[star77, MSN, RN]

I'm an ER nurse and I'd LOVE to float up to the ICU. Many of our ER nurses were ICU nurses to begin with, and they are awesome- our acuity is very high. I think it would definitely improve relationships between nurses - especially when bed control releases all the beds to us at 0640... :)

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

I was ICU, but when I was a tech I also rode a Mobile coronary care unit. So if our call wasn't cardiac We still had to take care of whatever we had.

Later after I became a nurse I was already crosstrained for both ICU and ER. I was cancel less than most and I also would pick up extra hours in ER. I think it also helps with your ACLS skills

[KimICURN]

As a new graduate working in the ICU and having precepted for 6 weeks in the ER prior to graduation I love the idea!! Some ICU nurses do expect a neat package and in a busy ER it can be hard to find someone to push the bed from one unit to another. I would do it I think you would have a greater understanding of the whole picture and some fun too!