ICU RN to the ED

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

I am going to start cross training to the ED and if I like it I might transfer there. I have been a MSICU RN for 2.5 yrs.

What kind of pitfalls do I need to avoid as an ICU nurse, or what do most ICU nurses who come to the ED do wrong?

I am comfortable with procedures, and conscious sedation and all that. I know that I will have to learn to deal with more patients and less time. What else?

[EMTSNA]

I have been in the ED for 1.5 years and have seen a few ICU nurses come down to join in the fun. Most do great once they get the hang of it because they are not intimidated by very sick patients. One pitfall to avoid is getting tunnel vision on one patient. Even if that one person is very ill, when you forget about your other patients situations tend to snowball very quickly.

Good luck and have fun!!

[MajorDomo]

Agree with EMTSNA

The ER is a disposition based nursing area, the treat and street philosophy. ER management tends to look more at pt numbers and times than acuity unlike the ICU. Wait times, Left without being seen, time of first ECG/Trop for CP, CAP times, ect...

Learn doing rapid focus assessments ( determining sick vs not-sick pts) and focus on pt movement through the department (either disharge or admission)

Bone up on peds, psych, OB/Gyn, and ortho

Use your ICU experience as an in to help educate the ER staff while learning the ER tricks of the trade.

ER nurses are the Jack of all (nursing) trades and master of none (or some D.O.E.)

Major Domo