Question for ER nurses

ChristineN, BSN, RN · May 28, 2013

Hi, what type of personality is needed to be successful working in the ER? Do you recommended starting off somewhere first prior to the ER?
Any feedback is welcomed thanks!

I think that different personalities can make it, but you definitely have to be assertive.

Whether you should start in ER as a new grad or start somewhere else is a difficult question that people differ on. I could not have imagined starting out in the ER as a new nurse, but many of the nurses in my ER were hired as new grads and do fine.

Racer15, BSN, RN · May 29, 2013

I've never worked anywhere else. It takes all types, I'm pretty quiet but I have a tough skin ANSI can't imagine being anywhere else.

Rhi007 · May 30, 2013

Tolerant, assertive, thick skinned

gcupid · Jun 5, 2013

Assertive and having a sense of humor are the two most prevailing characteristics that I noted. I could not have started in the ED.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 5, 2013

Sense of humor, ability to reprioritize on the fly, works well with others & a touch of AD oh look, a squirrel helps.

If you want to be in the ER straight from school, go for it. I did and can't imagine being on a floor (no disrespect to med/surg but it's not for me).

sapphire18 · Jun 5, 2013

ER takes being energetic, open-minded, thick-skinned, assertive, and a sense of humor is a must!!

ezgreazin · Jun 21, 2013

like stated above, a twisted sense of humor, thick skin...i find cursing like a sailor helps-especially on the noc

floridaRN38 · Jun 21, 2013

Go straight into if that's what u want to do. Don't wait and go to a floor first. You have to be a little crazy and have a sense of humor to work in that type of environment

shoegalRN, RN · Jun 22, 2013

You should have a sense of humor, be assertive, and have a thick skin. Some things we as ER nurses find funny will never fly outside of the ER.

Some say we lack compassion. I would say we see through most BS and we are very direct and to the point. We have no time to listen to a patient's whole entire life story while there are 5 people waiting to be triaged. We need to know the chief complaint and we focus on that. However, when there is a TRUE emergency, we are the most compassion bunch of nurses I know.

patriciarrn · Jun 25, 2013

Hi, what type of personality is needed to be successful working in the ER? Do you recommended starting off somewhere first prior to the ER?
Any feedback is welcomed thanks!

I have worked in the ER for over 7 years. I have always had a sense of humor with certain patients who seem to be overly anxious. For example, I had a patient come to triage freaking out about having an infection on his new tattoo site. He was starting to hyperventilate because he thought he was going to loose his arm. I asked to see his arm. I just acted surprised and told him that was cool. He stopped and looked at me surprised thinking I was talking about his infection. I then told him I was looking at his tattoo. Changed his attitude and he started talking about how he thought up his tattoo and what it meant to him.

Other times I had to have thick skin. It just depends on the patient and the situation. One of my hardest times was when we had an 11 month old who we ended up doing PALS on. I had to show tough skin because I could not show how upset I was. The patient did not make it. We found out that the father was allowing the patient and the older sister play in the bath tub with the shower on acting like it was raining. The father fell asleep on the couch. While sleeping a washcloth clogged the drain. The patient slipped under the water and drown. The sad part was the mother was at work. I cried with the mother as many of us did. We all supported the mother as we were in the trauma room as she held her child for the last time.

I guess you can say it changes based on the situation, patients, and how you are feeling. I always try to make patients smile, laugh, and feel more comfortable. I do talk with them and when I can, spend some time with them and their family just talking. Anything to decrease anxiety, stress, and patient and family concerns is the best way to go.

msrn2004 · Jun 25, 2013

I started as a new graduate in the ER 9 years ago and love it! You need a preceptor who seasoned nurse to teach you the ropes. You have to be a quick learner, motivated, high energy and thick skinned.