I've been a floor nurse for almost 20 years now, both cardiac and maternity. I tend to stay in a place for a long time, and I like the level of comfort of being where I know what is going on. Over the lasy year or so, I've become fairly burned out. I hate going into work, and a lot of what we do on the floors seems like such a waste of time. So many of the patients need incredibly extensive care, care that I have come to believe in my heart is cruel. We see so many people being kept alive who have no quality of life, and it rips my heart out to see the pain we cause them. I don't want to post about that topic here though...what I would like to talk about is the pros/cons of moving to the ER. Our ER has a pretty poor reputation in our hospital. They have gone through several periods of being "re-vamped", had new managers brought in to "fix" everything. They had to have multiple travelers in for staff coverage because a lot of the "old-timers" got fed up and left. But over the last year, it seems to have calmed down a bit. There was only one position posted as open, so I filled out the paperwork and got called for a meeting with the director. I met him, and I wasn't impressed at all. He seemed disinterested in what he was doing. He actually asked me "Why would you want to come and work in the ER?" It was NOT a positive question, it was posed in the vein of "Why in the world would anyone CHOOSE to come work down here?" And this is the MANAGER! Not a good sign. SO could I please have some (good I hope) feedback about your experiences. I have to do something different, I really can't take it anymore.I'm losing my compassion And I don't want to lose my love of nursing.
JdougRN, I went to the ER for all the reasons you mentioned and never looked back. It's very different from floor nursing and I love that.
Your doctor is always available, your not stuck with the same patients for a full shift x 3 days. Most of the patients you get aren't even sick and shouldn't be there.
Some days are crazy busy, but some are slow. There is usually very good teamwork. I would go for it if I was you. After all, you can always go back to the med/surg if you don't like the ER
good for you for making that jump, you won't regret it. Don't be deterred by that manager, who will likely not be around for long with that kind of attitude. Bring what you know and absorb the rest. You'll do well.
OK- Update...September 6 I start in the ER...I'm looking forward to it. I've shocked the bejesus out of all of my coworkers...haven't gotten very many positive reactions, but that is because I'm leaving them. So onward and upward...woohooooo
OK- Update...September 6 I start in the ER...I'm looking forward to it. I've shocked the bejesus out of all of my coworkers...haven't gotten very many positive reactions, but that is because I'm leaving them. So onward and upward...woohooooo
Fast forward- I can honestly say this is the best decision I've ever made. ER nurses are (mostly) amazing, and talk about instant gratification! I love it.
I believe your floor experience will be helpful to you. It's a different way of thinking and may be stressful at first due to the change, but I bet you'll love it. I think the ED is considered the "red headed step child" of any hospital, but it's because people don't understand the environment we work in. Keep with it!
gonzo1, ASN, RN
1,739 Posts
JdougRN, I went to the ER for all the reasons you mentioned and never looked back. It's very different from floor nursing and I love that.
Your doctor is always available, your not stuck with the same patients for a full shift x 3 days. Most of the patients you get aren't even sick and shouldn't be there.
Some days are crazy busy, but some are slow. There is usually very good teamwork. I would go for it if I was you. After all, you can always go back to the med/surg if you don't like the ER