YanRN

What fun! I love draining abcesses (the yuckier the better-- I know, gross) I love starting iv's. I am always happy to get on my soapbox about how to properly take antibiotics. (Take them all, don't save them for later, don't share, etc) I also hate to see pt's scrunched down in their beds. I like them to bend in the right places.

Hello. I am leaving the ER and starting a new job in Special Procedures. I am very excited. I have spent some time in the department visiting but am wondering what to expect on a daily basis. I have had folks tell me I'll be bored (I don't think so). Any thoughts are appreciated. (The department consists of 3 RNs and 3 RTs. There will be a minimum of 3 of us on each case. Only one room.)

at our facility we are always reminded that a write up is about the process not the person. if you submit an incident report it may get management to pay more attention to that floor and their staffing problems and may be able to get them some much needed help. (sounds like you did everything you right at the time.-- good luck!)

I know that since I started working ER my kids are tired of coming to me with little "growing pains" or stomach aches or whatever and having me say, "Okay honey, we'll keep an eye on it." They figure they need to be missing a limb before I'll respond! I also have a bigger potty mouth than ever before but manage to keep it curbed around my kids, dad and in-laws.

I spent 1 1/2 years as a PCT (patient care technician) in our ED while in nursing school. The minimum requirements are one semester of nursing school, CNA or EMT. The techs in the ED are paid the same as on the floors and, as far as I am aware, do not have any specific continuing ed. Additionally, our facility does not pay more for certifications at this time, however, I know they are considering it for RNs and so might in the future. The techs in the ED do different things than on most of the floors. Techs draw labs, start foleys and straight cath, get EKGs, help transport pts to ancillary depts, get accu checks, remove sutures, assist with splints and other procedures, assist with NG tubes, assist with pelvics, perform chest compressions during codes, clean rooms, and stock rooms. Also, in our urgent care area the techs place orders in the computer and run rapid strep and urine preg tests. There are probably "other duties as assigned," but those are the main ones. Good techs can gain a great deal of awesome experience in the ED, and having been on both sides I can tell you that a good tech is a valuable asset to the dept. Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.

How about "tooth to tatoo ratio day?" We love that one.

I just want to say thanks for all these great posts! I was so excited to see this thread. I have been in the ER for 3 yrs total, just over 1 as an RN and some days I forget what I love about it. I do love the challenge of "I'm a hard stick, you'll never get an iv in me..." and I do love that I'm comfortable with an NG tube and that if you have a urethra I'll find it and put a cath in it. I do love it when I send a pt to the floor and the pt says, "You mean I can't keep you as my nurse?" I do love that the docs trust me and teach me and thank me. And I do love the endless stories of "the depth of human stupidity." Thanks again for reminding me of those things. Just the refresher I needed!

I am heading into year two as an ER RN (worked as a ER tech for 2 yrs before). One thing that has helped me is to try to be the one to chart when a code blue or red rolls through the door. You get to watch the experienced RNs go to town and you get a good chance to learn your ER protocols. Also, I'd echo whoever said make the techs your friends, respect what they do and offer to help them if you can (you know, clean a room, empty a sharps...) a good tech is priceless!

"For the chance to have just one patient look up at me and say "thank you"." Amen. For every 3 pts that threaten to sue me/hit me/call me a bit** the one that says "thanks for all your great care." makes my day every time!