The perfect candidate for ER Nurse.......

[BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

what do you guys think? What type of person do you want to work with? What skills do you expect this candidate to already have?? What skills are better to learn on the job? What type of personality fits best? A single person? Married? Kids? Extensive prior ER experience?? What are you guys looking for? Can you tell immediately who is going to work out well and who isn't?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

Someone who wants the team to succeed and doesn't give a damn about vainglorious recognition; someone who's great at starting IVs and keeps her/his cool when confronted by an unreasonable pt or family member; someone who doesn't moan at how heavy his/her load is this day/evening; someone who hollers up when the docs making his/her med orders that this patient is a renal patient and may not tolerate a full dose of lopressor....etc etc etc...

[bill4745, RN]

Someone who is willing to work hard (12 hours constantly on your feet, maybe one break for a few minutes to grab a few bites and pee), who can remain calm when: a healthy-looking patient decides to stop breathing, a visitor becomes beligerant, a patient projectile vomits all over you, pharmacy has not sent your stat antibiotic for the meningitis patient after three phone calls, two faxes, and a 45 minute wait, the ECG machine is out of paper during a code, etc. It also helps to have ADD to work in an ER. You also need to have a sense of pride that you can handle the toughest job in the hospital, and do it well.

[EmerNurse, BSN, RN]

Have a huge work ethic, work well with your team (even the worst nights are survivable with a great team), learn to prioritize and multitask, and don't get flustered easily. The actual nursing skills come quickly since you'll do them so often, but the work ethic, team ethic and "good in a crisis" stuff comes from inside you. If you've always been the one in your family/circle who can step up to a disaster and sort things out, you'll be fine in the ER.

If you're very very quiet and shy, sensitive to blunt comments and reluctant to speak up, you'll have a harder time of it (but it can be doable).

All in all - I'll be happy to teach you a new skill or answer a question, specially if I know you have my back while I'm tied up with a patient trying to die on me.

[BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Thanks everyone!!! I accepted a position in the ED today after 7 years on a cardiac step down unit,......the funny thing,..and you guys seem right on,...I have been working nights at this hospital for a little over 10 years and I have come to know several people in the ED (including my sister in law),..durring the interview (eight people in the room) the ED director says to me "I've heard a nasty little rumor that you have a big mouth and can be obnoxious" ,..I just sat there,....she then says "that's just what we are looking for,..welcome to the ED!" First time my big mouth has been an asset!!!

[incublissRN, BSN, RN]

Congratulations!

[Victoriakem]

If you like to juggle lots of tasks @ the same time, & still manage to clean up all your messes by the end of the shift. You can multitask like crazy & like running around like an idiot. You get bored & hope a code comes in to make the shift go faster, & can use the "Mom" voice of authority to keep the unruly in line without being overtly rude.

[cinja]

How about a 6'1" guy who was a former cop and Marine D.I. Oh and I think I have ADD as well.

[EmerNurse, BSN, RN]

Being able to be sweet and cheerful and compassionate with the patient, and growling your head off in the staff lounge 15 seconds later (outta patient earshot of course!).

Sometimes I think I have multiple personalities. Maybe I'll wander down to intake and ask!