Shands at UF ED??

Butterfly3001 · Jan 22, 2008

I'm about to graduate from UF's Accelerated BSN program, and I want to start working in an ED. Can anyone tell me what it's like to work at the ED at Shands UF? I've heard some bad things... but I'd like to get more opinions. Thanks!

Hi Jenny

I actually work in the ER not as an RN though. It can be very stressful, after all it is the ER. Its has its bad things about and good things too. Like in two years there will be a new ER which will help with the overwhelming amount of patients that come through the door. I can tell you some of the things that you may want to consider though, again I am not an ER nurse but I work with them enough to know why they get stressed. Patients are upset b/c of their wait in the WR, sometimes you have docs that take forever on orders. It just really depends on your personalilty. Some people like stress though, like traumas and stuff people like that but it gets crazy I can tell you that.

weezyljm · Jan 22, 2008

If you want to jump right into the trenches -- then Shand's ER is for you..because it is the only local TRAUMA center -- they get all the police action (knives, gunshots, accidents, etc.) - so it can be nuts.

It is located in a bad part of town - so if you decide to work there - always get an escort to and from your vehicle.

There are other hospitals not located in bad area - that might be able to offer you a "starter" position...however, the ONLY advantage that Shands has is that they DO HAVE A UNION !!! Other hospitals don't.

Just things to take into consideration when job hunting. Good Luck! Plus, Shands is a teaching hospital - so you'll have all "soon-to-be-MD's" to deal with...which can also be a real PIA!

Butterfly3001 · Jan 23, 2008

If you want to jump right into the trenches -- then Shand's ER is for you..because it is the only local TRAUMA center -- they get all the police action (knives, gunshots, accidents, etc.) - so it can be nuts.
It is located in a bad part of town - so if you decide to work there - always get an escort to and from your vehicle.
There are other hospitals not located in bad area - that might be able to offer you a "starter" position...however, the ONLY advantage that Shands has is that they DO HAVE A UNION !!! Other hospitals don't.
Just things to take into consideration when job hunting. Good Luck! Plus, Shands is a teaching hospital - so you'll have all "soon-to-be-MD's" to deal with...which can also be a real PIA!

I believe that you are speaking of Shands Jax, because Shands at UF in Gainesville isn't in a bad part of town. So my bad I was speaking of the one in Gainesville, but you wrote about Shands Jax is the same thing that goes on here, except im sure we don't see as many traumas as Shands Jax does.