Personality traits suited for ER??

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hi...I thought all you experienced (and new) ER nurses could help me out. Currently, I'm working in an ICU as an Apprentice Nurse. I graduate in May 2005. Recently, I was told that my personality was suited more for the ER than ICU. I am not sure what this meant and am curious to see what all of you think makes a good ER nurse. What kind of a personality thrives in the ER? What are some must have strengths and what are the weaknesses that will cause an ER nurse to fail or be unhappy in that environment?

I was initially going to school to seek a Paramedic position, but was dismayed at how poorly they pay the Paramedics in my area (starting pay $34,000) and realized with a family I can't work 24 hours shifts, which most require. I still get excited when we have a Code Blue in our unit and am always impressed by the choreography that goes on in the Trauma Bay in the ER. I decided to go into ICU nursing back in my 1st semester of nursing school because I thought the possibility was there for me to pursue CRNA school. I have since decided that I need a lot more excitement than that and I HATE standing around in the OR. Not to mention I would like to add to our family someday and with CRNA school, that wouldn't be a possibility. I love fast paced environments (I think that's why I was a waitress for years) and I love organized chaos.

Any advice or information you could give me would be greatly appreciated. I'm becoming very confused about where I would like to work as it gets closer to my graduation date. The areas of Emergency Medicine and Forensics interest me greatly. I loved my EMT class and loved going on calls. I think the variety that an ER sees is what draws me to thinking I would enjoy it. What is everyone's opinion on ER nursing?

Melanie

you love the ER if you want to get that patient, quickly figure out what's going on, perform interventions according to orders and protocols, and then ship that person home or to the floor, never to be thought of again. :lol

you love the unit if you wish to come in the next day and see if those interventions you performed yesterday had a good effect. you love the unit if you wish to find out what flavor of ice cream is the patient's fav or how many children/grandchildren/friends/relatives that person has. :lol

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Specializes in ER.

Heck, I hate it when I have been in triage for a while then have to go back to the ER and see the same patients I already triaged!

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Specializes in ER-TRAUMA-TELEMED-PEDS.

All of the above traits mentioned are important like being able to think fast on your feet. I think that comes with time and experience. It is also important to not be judgemental, the minute you start judging/stereotyping the drug seeker, the drunk. the mom with 6 kids on welfare.....you will be miserable because you will have convinced yourself that you are surrounded by "idoits" and you will miss things on your assessment because you've prejudged someone. Treat each patient with compassion, because I dont thing anyone out there ever says I think I'll be a drunk when I grow up (maybe a few). Sorry if I sound like I am preaching. The bottom line is that you have to try the ER for yourself, dont let anyone tell you cant do ER because you dont have the personality for it.

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you must be able to function and tolerate nonstop chaos! being anal helps, and you must have great people skills because you are dealing with the front line. you have a person who has something bothering them, they are stressed out-having to wait for physicians, tests to be done, an open bed in the ed. they all come w/ family/friends, neighbors who are stressed out as well- and an administration that wants you to get high press ganey results in customer service. ed nursing requires stamina, large bladder capacity, ability to change from 1 focus to another within seconds, and the ability to smile and be polite while being yelled at. iw ouldn't want to do anything else.

anne :)

never were more truer words spoken. i alway said i was a good er nurse because of my short attention span and ability to hold my urine. you have said every thing i would have except that you need a sense a humor. a sometimes twisted sense of humor.

kim

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I've learned first-hand that the ED is one of those places, like L&D, that you either love or hate. Fortunately, I love both L&D and ED and don't ever see myself working anywhere else. You cannot be uptight and make it without driving yourself or someone else crazy. After working my entire nsg career in L&D (mostly female field), it was great to get a little testosterone in the mix to break up some of the caddy b.s. With that comes a whole new level of perversion though! I'm fairly hard to offend so maybe that is why I'm subjected to it, but the subject of sex is always around. Most frown upon relationships in the ED, but it happens. Most are just good friends. I've learned alot about myself and definitely about my skills and where I want to go from here since coming to the ED. It rocks. Organized chaos at its best!

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I've learned first-hand that the ED is one of those places, like L&D, that you either love or hate. Fortunately, I love both L&D and ED and don't ever see myself working anywhere else. You cannot be uptight and make it without driving yourself or someone else crazy. After working my entire nsg career in L&D (mostly female field), it was great to get a little testosterone in the mix to break up some of the caddy b.s. With that comes a whole new level of perversion though! I'm fairly hard to offend so maybe that is why I'm subjected to it, but the subject of sex is always around. Most frown upon relationships in the ED, but it happens. Most are just good friends. I've learned alot about myself and definitely about my skills and where I want to go from here since coming to the ED. It rocks. Organized chaos at its best!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

So right about either loving the ER or hating it. I have worked 8 1/2 years in my ER as a staff nurse, charge nurse, and now case manager. I still love the ER and can't imagine working anywhere else.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

So right about either loving the ER or hating it. I have worked 8 1/2 years in my ER as a staff nurse, charge nurse, and now case manager. I still love the ER and can't imagine working anywhere else.

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Hats off to ER nurses :) blesssss youuuu for doin' what you do, cuz Lord knows I can't...lol..I've worked ICU,med/surg,CDU, and geri/psych..and 'helped out' a few times in ER...my nerves can't take it!!! as someone else mentioned the 'organized chaos' gets to me...so bless all of you guys who can/love doing it...keep up the great work (((hugzzzzzz)))

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Hats off to ER nurses :) blesssss youuuu for doin' what you do, cuz Lord knows I can't...lol..I've worked ICU,med/surg,CDU, and geri/psych..and 'helped out' a few times in ER...my nerves can't take it!!! as someone else mentioned the 'organized chaos' gets to me...so bless all of you guys who can/love doing it...keep up the great work (((hugzzzzzz)))

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Having worked both Critical Care and ER, and taught both groups of nurses,,,I say hands down the Critical Care area has the most "anal" individuals. They want numbers, numbers and more numbers!! In the ED if the patient has a carotid, brachial or radial pulse you are off to a good start. (there is a blood pressure) The ED is a great place if you like to be mostly autonomous, think on your feet and can switch critical thinking mindsets among the variety of age groups, conditions and degrees of acuity that you will care for simultaneously. Always at the ready for the next challenge. The patient enters and you start the process. If you are the type of nurse who needs that "chart" first and must know the absolute details..(ie. "let me print out the care plan".then ER nursing will be frustrating to you. ER nursing is 'treat and street" or "treat, stabilize and transfer", no long term patient-nurse contact..and often you don't learn the results of your quick and immediate intense efforts..thus perhaps added frustration...and few patients will remember that you were the one who saved their life... HOWEVER...you and your co-workers know the real deal..Not to upset the ICU/CCU nurses because you all have a whole other set of challenges and knowledge base and TOGETHER we are all for recognizing and promoting excellence in patient care. I believe that each of us has a corner, a liitle niche in nursing that we do best and we are lucky if we find it early in our careers..so go out and explore all facets and find the one that gives you the most satisfaction,,regardless of your "personality type" Good luck!!

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Having worked both Critical Care and ER, and taught both groups of nurses,,,I say hands down the Critical Care area has the most "anal" individuals. They want numbers, numbers and more numbers!! In the ED if the patient has a carotid, brachial or radial pulse you are off to a good start. (there is a blood pressure) The ED is a great place if you like to be mostly autonomous, think on your feet and can switch critical thinking mindsets among the variety of age groups, conditions and degrees of acuity that you will care for simultaneously. Always at the ready for the next challenge. The patient enters and you start the process. If you are the type of nurse who needs that "chart" first and must know the absolute details..(ie. "let me print out the care plan".then ER nursing will be frustrating to you. ER nursing is 'treat and street" or "treat, stabilize and transfer", no long term patient-nurse contact..and often you don't learn the results of your quick and immediate intense efforts..thus perhaps added frustration...and few patients will remember that you were the one who saved their life... HOWEVER...you and your co-workers know the real deal..Not to upset the ICU/CCU nurses because you all have a whole other set of challenges and knowledge base and TOGETHER we are all for recognizing and promoting excellence in patient care. I believe that each of us has a corner, a liitle niche in nursing that we do best and we are lucky if we find it early in our careers..so go out and explore all facets and find the one that gives you the most satisfaction,,regardless of your "personality type" Good luck!!

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