"You know you are an ER Nurse when..."

neneRN, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2006

...you can step over your frequent flyer pt who's laying on the floor yelling "I'm having a seizure" despite the horrified looks of other pts and visitors.

...you can complete a triage form including allergies, med list, and Hx on your favorite frequent flyer without ever having to actually speak to the pt.

...you don't bother getting a doc to see your newly arrived intubated pt by EMS until you've thrown in an OGT/foley, done an EKG and drawn labs.

...you grab a 14 guage for your next IV start because you need to relieve some stress.

...you coincide calling report with your pee/smoke break because you know you'll be on hold at least that long.

...you go ahead and put a shroud on the stretcher when you get the call that a code's coming in so your post mortem care's speeded up a little.

andhow5, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2006

When an EMS crew brings in a patient they "couldn't get any information from" due to (pseudo)seizures, and you can rattle off their name, DOB, "allergies", medical history, home address/phone, next of kin with phone number, and social security number...

Or the frequent flier that EMS "couldn't get a line on" - and you throw in a 14-guage...

When you have a bladder the size of a winnebago...

(And for the bumper stickers shown on that previous link - I have a t-shirt which reads, "I am an emergency room nurse, here to SAVE your @$$, not kiss it.")

ERnutcase · Mar 17, 2006

you can accurately guess the discharge diagnosis based on knowing the patient's age, sex, and chief compliant

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2006

When absolutely nothing fazes or amazes you anymore.

Kjbwu98 · Mar 20, 2006

When you listen to everyone, Pay attention to none and believe that everyone is full of Bull$#%t until proven otherwise !!

runneRN · Mar 20, 2006

you use an emesis basin as a bowl and urinal as flower vase without thinking twice

goats'r'us, ASN, RN · Mar 20, 2006

i must be in just the right mood today because these made me nearly p*** myself laughing!!

the high points would have to be diagnosing trich by smell (ew ew ew) and assessing strangers/movie stars/babies veins.

i'm a normal ward nurse (i like to read the ER forums because i've found that you kids have the funniest stories!) but i have a few 'you know you're a nurse...' things to add:

you know you're a nurse when:

- you come home from work, jump in the shower, and your mum automatically says 'did you have pooh on you?'

- you count down to the end of your night shift by ticking off how many more lots of IMI peth you'll have to force into your well-known patient's rock-hard thigh

- you laugh at the sad scenes on medical shows because 'that's not how you'd do it!'

- your mates send you messages during medical shows asking 'what's a NOF?' 'would he really have a seizure like that?' and 'would they really wheel the trolley with the body bag on it past all those staff?'

- you're describing something gross while eating, and you find yourself saying 'well, it looked just like this (pudding/soup/unidentifiable hospital food)' while spooning it to your mouth, while everyone around you pales

- you're banned from speaking at the dinner table

- you find yourself being asked for free medical advice for parents, neighbours, friends, neighbours friends, parents neighbours, friends parents, neighbours friends parents... and all their pets!!

true, no?