Martibear

We often bet quarters on . . . dog bite - guess what kind of dog? H&H levels ETOH levels ( I'm quite good at this one ) & of course urine tox screens. It's all in good fun though & helps make the day/night a bit fun!

I worked as a pregnant ED RN. I found out I was pregnant in December & was due in July. I was admitted several times for hyperemesis. I then began to swell. EVERYWHERE. Good lord was I huge. I retained so much water my fingers looked like little sausages. I ended up getting a FMLA & leaving in June & retuning mid Sept. (unplanned c-section) I wish ya the best, it sure wasn't easy! Hopefully your morning sickness will go away with the end of your 1st trimester. I wish mine did. I was sick for 10 months. Of course she was LATE too. Once again I wish you the best, remember the most important thing is to take care of yourself.

I did it! I graduated in May 04, worked as a GN. Scheduled boards for December 04. Found out I was pregnant in December. I was horribly, HORRIBLY sick. In and out of the hospital for dehydration. Anyway to make a long story longer I failed boards the first time because I was just discharged the night before, I was focused on concentrating more on not throwing up then actually reading the questions. So I continued to study after I had my happy, healthy daughter 2 weeks late! Passed boards with 75 questions & have been happily working in the same ED since. What I'm trying to say is that timing isn't really everything, it just depends on how badly you want something. If you want a family & a new career I say go for it. It sure wasn't easy though!!! Best of luck in whatever you decide!

Hi! I graduated from nursing school in May 2004, went straight to the ED, worked as a GN for 7 months, had a baby, passed boards, now I'm still in the ED. I couldn't see myself anyplace else. ( well maybe the other night I wish I wasn't and ED nurse) Check with the hospital, maybe they will let you shadow a RN for a day or 2 to get a feel for it. I love it, don't regret a thing! GO FOR IT. If you hate it you can always do floor nursing, OR, MD office, so many options! Best of luck to you!

I have an UltraScope. I love it, LOVE IT! Plus it's cute. You can pick the color of the tubing & the design of the bell. Ok, seriously you can hear through dressings, blankets, clothing! I have never had any problems with it except with peds. We don't see very many peds in our ED & have a community peds stethoscope. I think it was around $99.00. You can just google ultrascope or go to Life Uniform & see if you like it first. Then you can pick up the fun colors & designs if you decide to order one!

I have never really had a problem with rude doctors. If they talk down to me I pretty much ignore them & do my job, ultimately I'm there for the patient. Doctors are people too, most know that if they are nice to their nurses everything "flows" much better. Hang in there! That is probably one of the minor things to worry about in nursing. There are rude, ignorant people in every career path! Best of luck to you!

I always dilute! IVF running or not. I guess I'm just anal. I would also draw the appropriate dose of the Morphine up in a 10 cc syringe then draw up the rest with NSS.

I went straight from nursing school to GN to RN in the ED. I love it. Just check out the length of orientation. Mine was great. Best of luck to you!

I just had the funniest most annoying reason yesterday as to why a nurse on the cardiac unit could not take my patient. Ready . . . she was working on an AMA. What kind of work do you have to do for an AMA??? SIGN the paper! That is it, I know it may be more detailed other places but we just have the patient sign & chart in the computer. I do several AMA's a shift. Maybe I've just learned to take them in stride! Still funny to me!

Thanks Meg - I just feel that any nurse who values her license & has any moral would never do this. I just don't understand why ED nurses always are made out to be such bad, inconsiderate, thoughtless, heartless nurses! I've seen many floor nurses just as nasty as some ED nurses. Guess I'm alittle defensive! LOL!

No you aren't an "uppity student", we've all been students. Fortunatly we don't all have allergies to NSAIDs. I couldn't imagine not being able to take my motrin when needed! I think people who have been given meds when allergies are known should REALLY take further actions! People that honestly have NSAID allergies are sterotypically given the "drug seeker" nickname but is sad. It is really sad that nurses, ER nurses or what not still give medications that people state they are allergic to. I DO see my share of known "drug seekers" but still would never, never NEVER give a NSAID!!!

RN weekday 4 hrs - $40.00 8 hrs - $80.00 12 hrs - $120.00 RN weekend 4hrs - $ 50.00 8 hrs - $ 120.00 12 hrs - $180.00

I am a nurse in the ED & I don't believe I've lost my empathy or compassion. When you see people day after day seeking narc's & saying they have a NSAID allergy you do become a bit "hardened" to certain situations. I would NEVER give any med, even to a "drug seeker" if they stated they were allergic to that med. That is very unfortunate that you had such an awful, scary experience GeriatricSunshine. All ED nurses are not that way, I would have definatley spoken to a Unit Director or someone about that situation! Something like that should never have happened. Also I express empathy & compassion to my patients I see in the ED. Why do ED nurses get such a bad rap?

I have a 7 month old daughter & am very lucky to have my father in law come to my house for a few hours until my husband gets home. I figure once she is in school I'll do 11-7. Until then it's 3-11's for me, sometimes on a weekend I'll do 7-3. Maybe try agency nursing, they really work around your schedule. Good luck to you!

I agree you should jump right in if you feel this is what you really like. I'm a new RN in the ED & I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. A long orientation really does help. I think mine was 12 weeks. We really have great helpful staff, so I'm never left alone or made to feel stupid if there is something major going on. Best of luck to you!