ER burnout is a difficult thing. I have been a nurse for 32 years. Much of that time has been spent in the operating room, but because we are a small hospital, I have also worked the Emergency Room. Like any nurse who works in the ER, you crave the adrenalin rush from a code or a major trauma, but we all know that it is the clinical patients who occupy most of our time. I see the drug abusers, the dirty children, or the yelling drunk and wonder why am I here. But, I know the reason I am there. It is to care for these same people. I try to maintain a positive attitude and be kind to all patients. It is not easy. Keep your chin up and remember the reasons you became a nurse. You can survive the daily grind of the ER. Still working after all these years and proud of it!