Thinking about going into the ER? HELP

Hey there...I made a similar switch last spring and LOVE it. I went from an office/telemetry job (cardiac rehab...for the past ten years) to the ER. I was PETRIFIED. I cried my first week and couldn't believe I gave up a cushy office job to be elbow deep in poop while my patient next door was coding ! It was all OJT training as my hospital doesn't even have a skills lab anymore. So much had changed...from the IV tubing (all needleless) to the saline flushes (they come preloaded !).

I still learn something new everyday, but it has challenged me and I think was the right option for me. I am in my second semester of NP school and while I have NO thoughts on working in the ER as an NP, it will be a good background for whatever I choose to do. Not to mention that the hours are flexible for my school schedule.

I'm also a NP student, and have been an ER nurse for almost 5 years. There are many occasions that I feel that my experiences in the ER have given me an advantage over others in my graduate program. You do see emergencies, but you also see a lot of the "less emergent" illnesses, such as Strep, Rotavirus, sinusitis. You learn how to recognize the differences between pneumonia and CHF by comparing the patients you care for. You know what tests to order for abdominal pain because you've watched the ER docs do it for years.

I think working the ER definately makes for the most well-rounded nurses, although, like traumaRUs, I'd a little biased myself...

you'll have the quickest asessment skills on the planet...what an advantage that will be! Plus, they'll be right on about 90% of the time. Plus, you'll be humble enough to learn from the other 10%!

They have a critical care, emergency, np program here, but I was wondering do NP's really get to work in the ER?

I think that stepping out of your comfort zone is a good thing to do, from time to time. You will learn so much. There is always something to see, learn, do...

Your patient load will depend on your facility and shift.

For example, at my facility - when I interviewed, I was promised a patient load of "3" patients. I usually end up with 4-8, and have frequently had the pleasure of 12 patients (and no techs to help).

You quickly learn your limits, and when to ask for help. Some nights when I call report to the ICU I hear, "It's that ER nurse again..." LOL!

I also am a tad bit biased - I LOVE the ED. So my advice is GO FOR IT! You'll never know if you don't try! ;-)

Sorry - I also meant to add the following:

In regards to do NP's really get to work in ER? I don't know if it's different by state, but here in Indiana, NP's can work in the ED. I've seen them used a lot in the "fast track" area, and also will be pulled into the "main" part of the ED to see the non-urgent cases...

They have a critical care, emergency, np program here, but I was wondering do NP's really get to work in the ER?

Totally depends on the hospital and the state. Most of the ones I've heard of work the fast track/non-urgent care areas.

Totally depends on the hospital and the state. Most of the ones I've heard of work the fast track/non-urgent care areas.

Well If your hospital does not accept NPs in the ER (I'm thinking the one I want to work at won't, but I'm not sure) what do you do to "climb the ladder?"

Well If your hospital does not accept NPs in the ER (I'm thinking the one I want to work at won't, but I'm not sure) what do you do to "climb the ladder?"

There is a host of opportunities for NP's outside the hospital....which is where I plan to look.

There is a host of opportunities for NP's outside the hospital....which is where I plan to look.

What kind of opportunities are there for those who don't want to leave the ER. The only thing I know of is Charge Nurse. How do you even become a charge nurse though?

What kind of opportunities are there for those who don't want to leave the ER. The only thing I know of is Charge Nurse. How do you even become a charge nurse though?

Don't even get me started on this one ! Almost every other career allows for advancement within the same job description. Nursing, however, requires that you LEAVE the bedside in order to "advance." That is such a slap in the face to those of us who have a strong desire to remain at the bedside and in contact with patients, but who also have the desire to at least be recognized for a higher level of knowledge and experience,etc.

I have talked until I am blue in the face about implementing a clinical ladder program where you actually get GASP a raise in pay and rank for attaining certain levels of education and skill (and I'm not talking about BSN vs. ADN, I'm talking more about continuing education, certification, mentoring and taking on more advanced roles within a department).