Tired of ICU, started ER this week....

[New2ER]

I'm a new grad (finished in January). I started in the ICU in a hospital in Florida and absolutely hated it. I've read a lot of posts here from new nurses like myself wondering how long they have to be miserable. I thought it was just because I felt I was inexperienced, asking too many questions, bugging the other nurses around me. I worked in a med/surg ICU for just shy of 3 months. The last week I was asked how I liked it, and after a particularly bad day for me, I told them. I was then offered a transfer to the ER (the following week). I've completed my first week in the ER and while I haven't mastered things by any stretch, I thoroughly enjoy it. While in the ICU you couldn't pay me enough to stay or take an extra shift. In the ER, I'm more than happy to stay extra and would jump at an extra shift or two a week. Don't get me wrong, I still feel frustration and sometimes feel overwhelmed (today was my first time with 4 patients, next week I'll ramp it up). I do still feel the urge to cry a little just out of frustration of all the things I have to do BUT, when I leave there at night I feel GOOD. I enjoyed my day. I learned something. ATM, I think the ER may be a very good fit for me. I'm looking forward to sharpening my prioritization skills in the next few weeks. When I see a new patient come into the ER I get a little surge, a little bit scared a little bit excited. I can't wait to go back. On a side note, I too feel that I ask too many questions or stupid questions like many new nurses. What I've learned is that ALL nurses ask questions: seasoned or new. As nurses we will always ask questions because the field of medicine is constantly changing. The one recommendation I can make that I've learned is to write stuff down or look it up. There is nothing more annoying than answering the same question 8 times, makes it seem like we're not really interested in learning. PS. If any ER nurses out there want to give me advice I'd more than willing to listen.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Congrats on finding your "fit" in nursing! And...welcome to All Nurses. I've been an ER RN for 10 years in a level one trauma center and absolutely love it. The excitement of never knowing whats coming in, who might go down the tubes, anticipating the needs of the patients BEFORE they need it - all lead to an incredible adrenaline rush.

Good luck. Don't be afraid to ask questions. That is the mark of an intelligent nurse. No one knows everything - we all ask questions. Its when we think that we know it all - that we can get in trouble.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Welcome to the ER! :) :balloons:

[JourneyCC]

I'm in L&D and considering switching to either ER or PICU, so I'm glad I'm not alone in this dilemma.

[christvs, DNP, RN, NP]

I'm jealous that you're working in the ER. :) I like my med/surg unit for now (I've been there 10 months) but I think in the future I would like to move to the ER. Maybe in a year or so. I used to float all around the hospital as a nursing assistant while still in nursing school & I really enjoyed being sent to the ER to help out.