darkangel83

I went to the hospital because I could no longer stand the level of pain I was experiencing. 'Think of how humiliating as a nurse it is to admit that and than think how much more humiliating as a nurse it would be to be labeled as a drug attic. Then you will understand my frustration. All of you are basically saying "you should have stayed at home and sucked it up." When your step-father who has been an MD for 35 uswest says maybe you should go to the ER, you go. I didn't want to, but I also didn't want to die that night. I didn't expect to be treated like the pill head that they thought I was. If the LP was that important, they should have said so instead of talking about me in the hallway.' Agreed...talking about patients negatively in earshot NOT appropriate. Secondly...nowhere did I see ANYONE telling you to 'stay home and suck it up'. They were merely explaining that you had all of the options available to you. Thirdly, I don't know why...but the fact that you keep referring to your stepfather who is a GP for 35 years is kind of bothering me...but that is my own problem :) You obviously knew you needed help...referring to his judgment isn't changing my mind about anything. 'It's obvious the ER nurses are offended here. Maybe because they are being called out for their normal behavior. Fine. I didn't decline narcotics, I tried to use the least strength med that would work and when that no longer worked, I went back. Continue to treat your pt's this way and take nothing from this post. If I decide to write a letter to the hospital, its my freaking prerogative. I'm tired of all of the old jaded nurses labeling every pt in pain as a drug attic. It happens on my floor as well. The open minded nurses reading this may use it as something to think about. The rest of you will continue to walk around in your own little jaded world and complain about everyone who walks through the door. Peace out.' I'm not offended...it just seems as though you came here expecting EVERYONE to agree with you. Fact of the matter is...you are not always going to receive 100% support. You have received several plausible explanations and a great deal of information from very experienced ER nurses. You're right...if you want to write a letter, that is your business and I don't think anyone is here to try and change your mind about that!

--good job! u convert that stress to some form of adrenaline rush and save people's lives!! :) but ER gets paid more right compared to floor nursing? I'm not sure how it works in the US...where I work in Canada our pay scale is based on years of experience, not necessarily the area you work in! So all 1st year nurses will be paid the same...all 2nd year paid the same...etc.

I haven't been an ER nurse for very long...but I'll offer my opinion anyways :) --What qualities do I need to be an ER nurse? You probably already have a lot of them from floor nursing! I agree that assertiveness is EXTREMELY important! The ability to think critically, calmly, and anticipate orders will all serve you well :) --What are the certifications that I need to complete (aside from BLS/ACLS/PALS) to be more marketable in applying in the ER and the skills (and attitude) that I need to master to survive being in the ER? All of those and TNCC The most important things I am learning are to let the trivial things roll off your back and focus on what is important and to always listen to your gut! Ask for help when you need it! --Aside from saving lives (which is the most important part), does the level of stress EQUALS the pay? Depends on how you handle stress. The stress is the reason I work in the ER :) However, there are some days you can't pay me enough to stay for an extra few hours of OT! --Are the doctors nicer in the ER? I agree...they expect a lot more, but I receive more respect in return. I find our docs value our opinion and are often willing to teach us new things. I feel I work WITH them in the ER...on the floor the docs often made me feel like I worked FOR them. --How do u deal with (multiple) nasty family members in a professional way on top of being busy with other patients? If they have a valid complaint and we are having a 'grown-up' discussion, I will give them 5 minutes of my time. If they are being rude/abusive/argumentative I give them about 30 seconds, which usually includes me telling them I'd be willing to have a civil discussion with them when they have calmed down. If they don't calm down...security is just a few steps away! --Is it worth it if i leave floor nursing and be an ER nurse? Only you can answer that question! Give yourself some time to adjust...it is VERY different! At this moment...I will NEVER return to floor nursing! I love all of the craziness/spontaneity/variety of the ER! Good luck!

This is a hospital not a hotel! Your insurance is paying to have your medical needs addressed...it is not paying for you to treat staff like garbage!

UGH!! I'm always catching parents shoving blankets under their babies once they get them into the corificeat. I take a different approach...and tell them how unsafe it is to add things into the corificeat that might prevent the straps from fitting properly! I love how they always say... 'how'd those get there?!' lol like I don't know...

If you come WALKING into the ER don't be surprised when you are half-falling out of bed that I ask you to move yourself up in the stretcher...do NOT ask me to find a male nurse to LIFT YOU and move you up the bed...or I will laugh at you...and forgive me if I laugh harder when you ask for me to get the doctor to come help you! Please do NOT come up to the desk in a huff when you find your elderly mom/dad/grandma/grandpa/etc. in 4-point restraints and tell me that I must be LAZY and that I should be sitting at their bedside at all times watching them instead of having them in restraints! Truth is, I found them standing with their legs stuck in the siderail pulling out their IV, telling me to 'get the hell out of my house'. This is an emergency department...I probably have 2 other patients doing the same thing and I can't be in 3 places at once! Similarly, do not get upset with me if your 'angel' of a 14-year old is in 4-point restraints! Telling me they are a straight-A student does not negate the fact that they punched, kicked, or spit at the staff! You're probably not going to believe me...so you probably will also not believe that they are high on drugs or drunk or both!

We use these products! They are really fantastic! We have a plastic slipper pan with these pulp insert for bedpans...all of the pulp products are put into a special machine and processed. There are even special wipes that can be processed in the machine! Our stuff is made by a company called vernacare...I'm a HUGE fan :) except sometimes people put things in that shouldn't go in there and then there's a very big problem!

The thought has EVER crossed your mind to write a book...'suicide...getting it right the first time'. You look at a patient in the waiting room like they are an idiot when you are shocking someone who collapsed at triage and they ask...'ohmygod, is it serious?'

I think the great thing about working in the ER is that it is ALWAYS up in the air! However, SOMETIMES there will be a pattern...in our ER Sunday nights and Mondays are BRUTAL! The triage line is out the door pretty much all day. However, once in a while a Saturday will turn into a tota nightmare! I agree with the OP about the holidays...it can be an especially sad time, especially around Christmas! We see a lot of injuries year-round. Everybody is slipping and falling in the winter and have sports injuries in the summer! I find we get most respiratory problems in the winter. Lately, we have had a lot of people with pneumonia, bronchitis, strep throat...you name it! All shifts, all days of the week are unpredictable! One day you are smoking busy and don't get a break and you stay and work overtime. Other days you'll have a nice pace that is easy to control. I love the unknown and variety of the ER!

Thanks again for all of the great suggestions! I have already tried a few, with success :)

Hmmm...something where I can be with lions, tigers, pretty much any kind of cat! Haha...crazy cat lady...I know... I also like the idea of being a professional world traveler, blogging all of my adventures!

Thanks for all of the great suggestions!! Starting today...I need to start loving my feet and all of these ideas will help :)

Hi All! Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for perking up my tired, aching feet? A pedicure sure is nice...if only I had the time/$$ to do it every week :) I am prepared to try any and all suggestions!! Thanks!

I started as a new grad in the ER (in Canada) and had a 2-day classroom orientation and 6 buddy shifts. I spend a LOT of time doing extra reading outside of work and, thankfully, I have very supportive coworkers!

Ok, I am confused. It seems from your original post that you are concerned about an information privacy violation...but, your main concern is the rudeness of the receptionist? Is that right? In that case, I would cut my losses and move on to your new physician! No sense in getting yourself all worked up about it...she's probably like that with everyone and could use a reminder of proper etiquette from the manager/physician in charge.