What does it take to be a good ER nurse?

[chefjordan]

Hello all!

I'm a 4th year BN student, heading into my senior practicum. I'm trying to decide if doing my practicum in emerg would be something I'd be a good fit for. What are some of the qualities that make a good ER nurse?

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Quick on your feet, good clinical/assessment skills, good communication skills, able to adjust to rapidly changing situations, good time management skills, plus a sick sense of humor.

[JBudd, MSN]

flexibility, ability to multi-task, addiction to adrenalin, and an enlarged bladder

[Mursetaa]

Having a good sense of humor, and being able to remain calm in chaos.

[Milysa]

THICK SKIN!!

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Quick on your feet good clinical/assessment skills, good communication skills, able to adjust to rapidly changing situations, good time management skills, plus a sick sense of humor.[/quote']

Pretty much every ER nurse I have liked to the T

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

plus a sick sense of humor.

(all the other one's listed are quite important also, but this is my fav)

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Keep 'em coming!

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Haldol for the patient, lots of it. Booze for you, lots of it!

HPRN:yes:

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Able to be amused at how often the ER gets written up...

[gvrn13]

The great ED nurses that I've worked with have the ability to take care of 10 patients, and somehow treat each one of them like they are their only patient. When you've reached this mastery of multi-tasking, you have made it. I personally have not reached this level yet!! Also the sense of humor, because seriously you can't even make up half of the stuff that you will see or hear. And a poker face... never let them see you sweat!!