Much as I agree with my colleagues complaints, humorous and not so...and I do agree with almost all of them (My top ten pet peeve list has been expanded to at least 20)..I feel like it is time to say what I like about my job, and see what anyone else might add.
It is almost never boring.
I work with some really great people.
I get to do health education for some people who have no other contact with a provider on any level.
I work with some truly terrific docs who rely on me to use my experience and critical thinking skills, and treat me like a colleague.
I meet people of such diverse backgrounds, be it ethnic, vocational, religious, or otherwise, who I would never meet in any other circumstances.
I get to help people who have no other place to turn to.
I get to give Adenocard...whoa..(hey it really is as close as we can get to manipulating that heart without opening it up).
I still learn something every day (After 40 years, a great thing to say)
I know there are lots more things to add to this list--no one would ever accuse ER staff of being sappy, but all those altruistic reasons we went into nursing are there.
Critical cases, always made me think, challenged me
The ability to really help someone who wants to help themselves
Having connections to local police - I've never gotten a ticket in this city;)
The autonomy was terrific. We often had all the tests ordered and results back before the doc ever saw the patient. Yes, they trusted us to do that.
We had standing orders for fever, corneal abrasions, chest pain, COPD, and others, so we could give meds without clearing it ahead of time with the MD
Before the latest nurse manager arrived and messed up the department, we use to have good teamwork. Always supported each other. Felt like a "family" of sorts.
I love the autonomy and I love working side by side w/ the providers, instead of when I was on the floor, when the docs would round once a shirft and just throw orders at the nurses.
I love the confused patients. Never in my life could I have imagined some of the stuff I have heard people say.
Making a difference to just one person gives me an awesome 'high'.
The diversity of illness...sure 3 of 4 bellypains are probably going to be a kidney stone or an appy but that 4th one is a wild card...
Babs0512
846 Posts
Things I "USE" to like about the ER.
Critical cases, always made me think, challenged me
The ability to really help someone who wants to help themselves
Having connections to local police - I've never gotten a ticket in this city;)
The autonomy was terrific. We often had all the tests ordered and results back before the doc ever saw the patient. Yes, they trusted us to do that.
We had standing orders for fever, corneal abrasions, chest pain, COPD, and others, so we could give meds without clearing it ahead of time with the MD
Before the latest nurse manager arrived and messed up the department, we use to have good teamwork. Always supported each other. Felt like a "family" of sorts.