Subacute area of the ED

[BellaRN2010]

Hi there,

I'm wondering if there are any RNs out there who work in the subacute area of the ED? (Sort of like a holding area for patients while they wait for an inpatient bed.) Can you tell me what the job is like? Types of patients you care for? Do you ever float to the main ED? Any information is greatly appreciated -- thanks in advance!

[PAERRN20]

Usually the holding area is called a "clinical decision unit"....most nurses rotate through all areas. Generally in my experience the ED nurses don't enjoy working this area since you have to call the admitting physician if there are changes, have to do MARs, etc. You do not have the autonomy you do in the regular ED.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

are you only working that section???? if so, do not let them do that to you unless it is an actual unit! i worked two different ers and the "holding" area you described is different in both and not on an actual unit.

one er had an area that was designated for patients waiting for beds. the area held up to 15 or so patients (some in chairs and some on beds). the patients were stable relatively speaking... the nurses checked sugars, coordinated diagnostics, placed foleys etc. the nurses gave meds if needed, asked for additional orders, and they called report when a bed was available. they also moved the patient to the floors without a tech at times (there were 2 to 4 nurses that worked that section per shift).

on the other hand, within my current ed, the "holding area" is anywhere in the er. if your patient needs a bed and there is none available, then you hold the patient. i prefer this set up to the last er because i have a variety of patients. working the "holding area" in the last er was very boring and a waste of my ed skills imo. so much so, that i found med surg to be more of a challenge! gl!

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Usually the holding area is called a "clinical decision unit"....most nurses rotate through all areas. Generally in my experience the ED nurses don't enjoy working this area since you have to call the admitting physician if there are changes, have to do MARs, etc. You do not have the autonomy you do in the regular ED.

This has been my experience. I actually used this job as an agency nurse to break into the ER. Yes, sometimes I floated to the ER, but that might have been because I have experience. It is a good job for a new grad as you must keep an eye on the patients but they are stable. It is too much like floor nursing to appeal to most ER nurses.

[BellaRN2010]

Thanks so much everyone for replying... you all offered great information. I'm feeling a bit burned out as a floor nurse and would like to make the move to the ED, but as nurse2033 pointed out, this particular job does sound quite similar to what I do now.

Thank you again!