Thinking about going into the ER? HELP

carachel2 · Mar 16, 2006

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).

Nutmeg5575 · Mar 17, 2006

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).

I am so excited about being a nurse and the one area I want to work in is the ED. However I am disappointed that out of all specialty salaries the ED has one of the lowest. It also doesn't have much room for promotions etc. I still will do it b/c I want to, it is just disappointing. OR nurses here make tons of money and they can eventually work to be a Surgical first Assistant (they make about 71k here). And there is the NP route and the CRNA but I don't know if that is what I want to do. I'm sure I have plenty of time to figure it out. There is always Head Nurse, but I am sure that takes YEARS of experience and I bet the competition is fierce. I copied this from salary wizard for maryland in baltimore and DC. I live in between so I am probably looking at a little less than the baltimore salary. Hopefully not though heh.

Charge nurse is the same as head nurse right?

Chief Nurse Anesthetist 155k washington dc 150k baltimore

Certified Nurse Anesthetist 137k washington dc 132k baltimore

Head Nurse - ICU88k washington dc85k baltimore

Head Nurse - CCU84k washington dc81k baltimore

Head Nurse - OR83k washington dc80k baltimore

Head Nurse - ER82k washington dc79k baltimore

Head Nurse - Obstetrics 82k washington dc 78k baltimore

Nurse Practitioner Emergency 81k washington dc 79k baltimore

Nurse Practitioner 79k washington dc 75k baltimore

Clinical Nurse Specialist 78k washington dc 74k baltimore

Transplant Nurse Coordinator67k washington dc66k baltimore

Charge Nurse65k washington dc63k baltimore

Physician Assistant81k washington dc 78k baltimore

Registered Nurse 61k washington dc 59k baltimore

RN Staff Nurse Positions

RN - Surgical First Assistant 71k washington dc 58k baltimore

RN - Research 64k washington dc 62k baltimore

RN - Operating Room 62k washington dc60k baltimore

RN - Recovery Room 61k washington dc 59k baltimore

RN - Renal Dialysis 61k washington dc 59k baltimore

RN - Oncology 59k washington dc 57k baltimore

RN - CCU 59k washington dc 57k baltimore

RN - Obstetrics 58k washington dc 56k baltimore

RN - ER 57k washington dc 55k baltimore

RN - Psychiatric Unit57k washington dc 55k baltimore

RN - ICU 56k washington dc 54k baltimore

RN - Geriatric 52k washington dc 50k baltimore

JasperRN · Mar 19, 2006

THe ER is a great experience. You need to have a strong personality though. Just like every other unit, the Er is its own subculture. I have been a charge nures in the ER for the past several years and love it. I started in the Med/surg unit and would not have traded that experience either b/c it gives you invaluable experience, too. Don't wear your feelings on your sleeves and start teaching your patients as soon as you see them, b/c you won't be able to do it when it is time to d/c them. Good luck.

JasperRN · Mar 19, 2006

I have been a nurse for 10yrs I want a good cost of living raise and enough money to raise my children. I became a nurse to care for the ailing patient. Hold the hand of a dying patient. I volunteer in the community. I guess, it is a good thing there are some people who remember it is not all about the money. The paramedics and firefighters that protect us all make less than we do. So how about a little less whining and a little more patient care.

Nutmeg5575 · Mar 19, 2006

I have been a nurse for 10yrs I want a good cost of living raise and enough money to raise my children. I became a nurse to care for the ailing patient. Hold the hand of a dying patient. I volunteer in the community. I guess, it is a good thing there are some people who remember it is not all about the money. The paramedics and firefighters that protect us all make less than we do. So how about a little less whining and a little more patient care.

Sorry If you think I'm wining, but I am a single mother in an area where the cost of living is high. I may really want to nurse b/c I care for people but the fact is Me and My daughter have to live too. And we are discussing different areas of nursing that make more money than ED nursing. Chill out. :idea:

carachel2 · Mar 19, 2006

I have been a nurse for 10yrs I want a good cost of living raise and enough money to raise my children. I became a nurse to care for the ailing patient. Hold the hand of a dying patient. I volunteer in the community. I guess, it is a good thing there are some people who remember it is not all about the money. The paramedics and firefighters that protect us all make less than we do. So how about a little less whining and a little more patient care.

Well I'll alert Florence that you are holding the flame high;)

I didn't take the post as a whine...there is nothing wrong with valueing the work you do and expecting adequate compensation. I think we would all agree that firefighters and such should be paid more as well.

carachel2 · Mar 20, 2006

Sorry If you think I'm wining, but I am a single mother in an area where the cost of living is high. I may really want to nurse b/c I care for people but the fact is Me and My daughter have to live too. And we are discussing different areas of nursing that make more money than ED nursing. Chill out.

I saw your notes about salaries in the area where you live. Is it possible for you to explore living in another area ? For example, salaries in Texas are not too much different than what you posted, but the COL is WAY lower, housing is more affordable,etc.