mlrockey

Agree with everything previously mentioned. Your key here will be documentation. If the nurse continues to be threatening then let them write you up. Chances are it isn't something that will turn into more than a slap on the wrist at best. Of course, this all depends on where you work, the policies & procedures, yada yada yada. Definitely have to consider all lab work, pt condition, etc.

So far everything that has been said is pretty acurrate. Don't be afraid to join the ER ranks. While working on Med-Surg is definitely good experience there is a lot about ER nursing that you won't learn up there. For example (and this is just ONE example) I cannot tell you how many times we've been called to start an IV for the floor only to get up there and see a vein I could hit with a 14g from across the room with one eye closed, and the poor patient had been stuck like 4 times already. Nothing against Med-Surg, I was there for 6 months myself, but ER is in a league all its own as are other nursing specialties. If ER is what you want, take it!!!! If you're really concerned about exposure and taking stuff home to your family just do as some of my fellow co-workers do: spray lysol on the bottoms of your shoes before getting in your car (about died laughing when I saw one of our aides doing that, but hey....whatever makes you feel better), take advantage of the showers in the locker rooms and clean off before leaving, change clothes and shoes before leaving (your shoes will be the dirtiest part of you), or just shed clothes and put them in the "dirty pile" and shower as soon as you get home (that's what I do). You will get sick for the first year or so with common cold stuff, but after that you're the invincible roach as described earlier!!! COME ON OVER TO THE DARK SIDE, DON'T BE AFRAID!!!!!

People really need to lighten up!!! #? Don't come to the ER with a green colored discharge and foul odor from your "va-jay-jay" if you're not prepared to open your legs so the doctor can get culture swabs to find out what's wrong with you. You obviously didn't get that STD from keeping your legs closed!!!!