EmergencyNrse

Triage as a system is dead. Everyone has bowed down to the 5-level ESI system to "maximize reimbursement". Now you get to charge for every little detail of a person's visit. Ooooh, you're a one. You're a two. There's not chit wrong with you but we have deemed you labor-intensive so we can stick it to you and your insurance. Way to go ENA. Way to go... Triage? There's no such thing in a civilian system. Only in the military do they sort based on severity any more. But, Love hearing about the way others nickel and dime patients in their facilities. Keep 'em coming.

Cerner and Epic... NOT very good programs for our purposes but they are the leading platforms that integrate well with hospital systems. T-system is the Cadillac of ER charting but they (programmers) were short-sighted in not being able to integrate into existing hospital software programs so it's on the outs... Sad really but that's our government at work. Thanks Unce Sam for all the headache

1.5 years you say? You need a change of venue. Good luck.

There is no such thing as a "seeker". Just ask the ENA.

I know the mentality. I know the personality type. Go ahead and let them fall. Let them "feel" their way. Just make sure YOUR name isn't on any of their patients charts...

37/hr is a little light. You should be getting more for housing. Atlanta is a tough market for wages. They're just not good. Your contract is about average though. You could be making less... My current company has me making more than I ever have in this market. I'm @ Johns Creek just a little east of you. Not bad right now.

Treat 'em and street 'em... Nothing you can do to change their arrival. Doesn't change your paycheck either. Try not to be too concerned about the things you cannot control. It will burn you out.

I have a Littmann Master Cardiology and am pretty good with high frequency/low frequency auscultation. Truth be known, the vast majority of physical exams in the ER can be eval-ed with the 2.00/disposable stethoscopes... Don't go out of your way to spend lots of dollars. You don't need one to get the job done. Just my 0.02

double post

Although you are "traveling" I don't believe it's travel nursing you will be interested in... Travelers usually are flexible in going all over for short periods. I'm guessing you want to be together not apart? Registry! You will want to work in the community your husband is stationed. Registry is a sure-fire way to work locally in one or many facilities around base/post. Look around where he is stationed for companies that staff hospitals/clinics in the community. This way YOU stay in charge of yourself. (Usually pays more than part-time or per-diem too)

Patient care always comes first. I'm a traveler and see a new computer system every 13 weeks. I admit that I don't get everything in the system sometimes but I have never left a patient hanging. Charting of IV starts, port access, foley insertion.... sometimes it's charted, sometimes it's not. Meds are the exception. They get done but the chart auditors will have to assume that IV meds/fluids were given through an IV that was there somewhere. It's a compromise. Getting the job done or apeasing the iChart Gods. You can only hope that as you become more familiar with the system that you will become more efficinet with the charting. Good luck.

This.... (Don't let the idiots get you down. Shrug them off. They'll be back next week...)

I'll just bet you were able to leave the ER alive... Sounds like a good visit to me. Better if you were actually discharged. Did you really need to be there or did the staff manage to snatch you from the jaws of death? Good luck in your future endeavors with unreasonable expectations... Life must surely be a series of constant letdowns.

As good as it feels to "inform" patients and their families of their rudeness and inconsideration of everyone around them I caution you to refrain from doing so. It never helps the situation and can only open you up for scrutiny. Administration doesn't care how slow things are. They only see you being unprofessional to the "clients". One of the 1st stages to ER burnout...

Ranger School.... Maybe Navy Seal BUDS. Learn to tolerate pain and suffering. Lack of sleep. Stress... Forced starvation and denying yourself basic elimination needs. Probably the best way to get a feel for life in the ER