Sayow

To hear"...Demerol only works for me, I'm allergic to Toradol, Talwin, Codeine, and DHE..." or most of all "...so you're a male nurse..." :angryfire To which my reply is always: "No sir, I'm an ER nurse who happens to be male."

I can say that the ER rewards far outweigh anything that I have experienced working either the floor or the ICU. You have to tap into every area of your nursing knowledge base, practically every shift. From pediatrics to gerontology, orthopedics to medicine, trauma to cardiac care, meanwhile dealing with the general public from their most vulnerable to their most volatile moments. You never know what is going to roll through the doors. For some of us that's what keeps us going back, for others there isn't enough structure to promote a comfortable environment. They usually leave, or stay and are miserable. Don't expect to get a break from the "run off your feet days" by going there. I'd actually advise a good pair of leather runners/walking shoes (avoid mesh or perforated toed shoes as they allow body fluids to come in contact with your feet) and be prepared to be on them for 12 hours. Good luck.