Published
For me (I worked level one truama center for 10 years), I loved the variety and chaos. I loved the fact that I had to be on my toes at all times and that after about five years in the ER, felt that anything I got in the door I could handle. Those 10 years have set me up well for my APN career. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.
The unexpected, the organized chaos, the teamwork/support that is unlike anything that I have ever experienced, taking care of the entire lifespan instead of just one particular age group, knowing what is wrong with a patient without all the bells and whistles hooked up and before a single test comes back. Wow thats a run on sentance. I could keep going on, but those are my favorite things. I would say not having take care of the same patient for longer than a few hours, but times are a changin in the ED world with all the borders. Oh, and I love the adreneline rush of hooking a chest pain patient up, seeing the STEMI and rushing off to the cath lab. I also love having the freedom of working up patients before they are even seen by a doc. I think thats it for now.
Honestly, I love the interactions with physicians and the ability to make every day a learning experience. You are able to review tests, assessments, differentials, and actually have intelligent discussions and learn from the physicians. In many ways ER is primary care at it's best. (Sometimes)
The always changing patients, scenarios, situtations, etc...Never seeing the same situation twice (even though if feels sometimes you see the same patient, the same situation every single shift....)
Never coming into work 12 hours later and finding the same patient(s) you had the shift before.
The interaction between staff - the teamwork - knowing that no matter how bad it gets - someone is always there to help you out.
The variety, the need to be prepared for almost anything, the pride in being able to work in the most difficult job in the hospital. And as someone above said, the teamwork and relationships with co-workers-a great group of people!!
I have worked in many different areas of the hospital setting and I would not say any one of them was "the most difficult". They all have their own challenges and rewards.
Karen
Psychosis----certainly YES![]()
Wish I had the ADD---Does that count being an ADD wannabe?
Is that why the ER is calling me? LOL ADD Stepchild here!!!! I also love the teamwork! I was an EMT years ago. I'm a nurse on a post open heart stepdown unit and we have our share of codes. Whenever we have codes, I enjoy the teamwork that is involved. Hopefully ER is where I will be next!!!!
Tiff
jollyjenny
82 Posts
For those of you who like your job-what is it about ER nursing that you enjoy?