jguiney

I agree. I transitioned from the floor to the ED back in 1993. Long long ago.. Was terrified to give report. In the ED that BS was not a life threatening situation. The focus is on what can kill them and what we need to fix to prevent just that. If his potassium was 2 and that you did recognize then that is different. or if his BS was 30. Critical thinking and critical values. There will be days that you are not gonna have all the "tidy" package answers Also EMR are very nice now everyone can review the record. Critical thinking will come. Find a good mentor Encourage the floor nurse to come and spend a shift with you!

I couldn't agree with you more. 30+ years experience is now a detriment. Older nurses are expensive. Plus employers look at long term. Why invest in someone who has 10-maybe 15yrs left to work, when they can get cheaper nurse who they can invest maybe 20-30yrs. I have been a RN since 1987. I am an ED manager after 23 yrs of ED nursing. You think you could write your ticket.. nope. They want younger, BSN nurses. Who maybe have no life experience. All their knowledge comes out of a book.. They sometimes are more valued. It seems. I have started my BSN 3 times and each time life gets in my way. Sorry just venting... Old burned out

I have been in the same hospital for 27 yrs, and worked in the ED for 21 yrs now. Some of my staff have been here for over 30yrs. There is very little turn over in this facility.

As a manager. The first question I ask interviewees Is, What makes you want to work in the ED? Then I often ask, what do think the ED is all about, and what can you bring to this position? I ask about their interest in caring for sick children?

I run a 12 bed ED, From 11-2300 my busy time I have 4 I have a charge/triage, who takes fast tracks, I have 1 nurse who takes my 4 patients rooms mid acuity. I have one who takes 3 high acuity rooms, and one who takes 4 fast track and lower acuity. It is a team but they have assignments. I have just received approval of a 5th nurse from 1500-0100, she will become a piviot/charge in the back and then leave a dedicated triage. We fill till full. We see over 16,000 a year avg. 44-50 per day. From 2300 -0700 there are only 2 nurses with a house supervisor to pull from.