Teamwork and Support in ED's

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2007

I have worked ER most of my career and have found it to be supportive for the most part. I worked in one small ER where the "locals" wouldn't help the "newcomers" to the area, but I didn't stay long. Otherwise, I have gotten a lot of support.

It works both ways though, you have to give and take. If an EMS comes to someone elses room, jump in there to help get them settled, and more than likely, the favor will be returned. In a trauma, MI, pulmonary edema or other true emergency, it takes more than one nurse, it takes a team.

If you see some sitting around while others are drowning, then get up and help and ask someone to come with you. I have yet to see someone truly sit when they have been asked to help. Sometimes they may just not be aware that someone needs help. No one can read minds, and I have seen some nurses who are very territorial and don't want and won't take help.

That attitude is to the detriment of the patients and the team. So if you think others are not playing as a team, try to be a leader and get the others to join you.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Jun 27, 2007

I am so sorry to hear that you are working in such a bad environment. My first ER was not a good experience, they were mean to new people and I left there after just a few months. The ER that I am in now is wonderful. When I first started there, there was one nurse that was stalking me and picking on me, but she finally got fired.

My job now is wonderful, everyone in our ER works together so well. The doctors ae very respectful to all of us. We all help each other out.

Each facility is different and you may have to try a couple before you find one that fits you.

I have worked a couple of different units and I do think that ER is one of the places that you have the potential to work closest with the doctors and other nurses and learn the most and have the best "teamwork" experience.

Good luck in all your endeavors

jkw_83RN, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2007

I have worked in two emergency departments, and luckily almost everyone understood that we all needed to work as a team. Of course we had a couple of nurses here and there who didn't do much, but that happens everywhere.:uhoh21: I would give the place a little more time, and make sure that I am setting an example so that people will get the idea that everyone helps each other. Working without teamwork doesn't provide good patient outcomes or patient satisfaction.

Trauma Columnist · Jun 28, 2007

I think the environment depends on the management style of the higher ups. If enough nurses are working to support the max number of patients possible, it can be truly wonderful. If however, staffing is skimpy, then it can be awful! I was very lucky to work in a great level one trauma center for 10 years. I miss it every single day! The teamwork was wonderful and working with so many nurses with various strengths, backgrounds, experience was what it was all about.

ernurse16 · Jun 28, 2007

I too am sorry you have had such a bad experience. I am a travel ER nurse and have worked places like the one you described. I don't renew my contracts there. I put in my 13 weeks and move on. The majority of the ER's I have worked in are not like that at all. We generally work as a team and when a bad pt comes in we all join together and get everything that needs to be done initially in minutes.

ER's can be stressful in and of themselves... the last thing we need is to work in a hostile environment or one that is not conducive to the best for our patients. You may want to consider looking around for a part time job or maybe agency nursing and scout out some of the other ED's in your area and find one you like that has a positive work ethic of their staff. Best of luck and please don't give up emergency nursing. There is no better place to work... rarely a dull moment and a comaradere (?sp) like no other! I would quit nursing before I would work in another arena.

JMBM · Jul 1, 2007

Actually, the reason I work in the ER/shift I do now is because of the feeling of teamwork - don't believe anyone who says all ER situations are like you describe. In fact, I have found ERs in general to have more of an ethic of teamwork than many other departments. Where else do you have doctors, nurses, techs, RT's, Unit Clerks and anybody with hands pitching together over and over in endlessly changing combinations? That all being said, a culture of teamwork varies from department to department and even from shift to shift within a department. I agree 100% with the writer who said this all comes back to leadership. We have charge nurses who pitch in, seek out ways to help, and do everything possible to encourage teamwork and cooperation. We have a few others who sit at their computers reading the Internet while the nurses in back drown. I love working for the first and avoid the second whenever I can. .... One last note, though. If you like ICU better and are in the ED primarily for the extra pay, transfer out now. The ED is way too stressful and way too different from ICU work. Over time, the money won't be worth it.

loricatus · Jul 1, 2007

I was in a similar type of work environment, but worse. I recently changed to another ED and the difference is remarkable. It is a lot harder work, more of a patient load, higher acuity, less beds available for admits; but, it's a more pleasant working environment because teamwork and mutual respect exists. I didn't really have my hopes up to find something different, since I felt like you in that it must be the same all over. It is not. Don't give up on ED nursing if that is what works for you, just give it a try elsewhere.

PEDSVA · Jul 2, 2007

;)I thank you all for all of your input. I will say the days there is a good charge nurse on duty the work environment is better. There are definately nurses & techs that will pitch in and help but the majority don't. I think the leadership advice is good. Yes, I chose ED for the flexible hours and good pay but I wanted to maintain my critical care skills and learn lots. I have young children so that is why the flexibilty an pay is so important. I want to be home with my little ones as much as possible!!! I eventually began working fast track because I was tired of drowning but I am getting bored and I want to learn ED Nursing. I am no longer new to the unit so I hope that will make a difference if I decide to work in the main ED again. BUT man first impressions are hard to forget. I will try some of your suggestions and if that doesn't work maybe I will look elsewhere.