Where are all of the Senior or Seasoned ED Nurses??

[ED_EMR_NURSE]

I am an ED nurse for 20+ years and I have always loved it. :heartbeat I love the variety, the intense situations and the opportunity to impact patients and family at some of the most intimate moments in their life or death. I like the idea of coming in the next to a completely new group of patients.

I have also recently been involved with the development and implementation of an EMR. Since my return, it seems like the beast is changing- patient numbers are increasing, ED holds still continue to be an issue and all of the "older nurses' are leaving our department. Why is that? Our staff is primarily young, under 6-10 years experience. We grow our own through an internship program, but truly have staff turn-over, except for me, and seem to NEVER have a full staff.

What is the average years of ED experience does your staff have? WHat are the days' like? If nurses are leaving, why is that? I am looking for insight to what others do to keep their nurses in the ED.

[ED_EMR_NURSE]

I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to post a reply. I agree that flex shifts would be helpful for us boomers, but it seems to pose some scheduling concerns from management. Thanks for your insight into this issue.

[ThrowEdNurse, BSN, RN]

I don't see why having options and a say so in our scheduling is difficult/impossible. Our most senior nurses on my unit get to decide when and how much. Some work 16 hours, some 32, some 26, etc and most only 8 hour shifts. I mean, we always are in need of extra staff and all they have to lose is the most experienced nurse on the unit, who they will lose if they don't adjust to make her happy. I know if my hospital can make a variety of shifts available, any hospital can.

[aaronrnmedic]

I don't know. I give up. Where?

[schizo_maja]

I work in Peds ER and I'm the youngest, working in this unit for 2.5 years. The next "youngest" one has been here for 15 years and the oldest has been here since the hospital started in 1982

[MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN]

I understand why people are leaving. I have been a nurse for about 3 years, this is a second career. Our ER has gotten so crazy, people are misusing the ER(although they have nowhere else to go), people threaten to sue if you don't care for their hangnails immediately, hospitals are kissing behind to the jerks(meanwhile the sick one wait for the squeaky wheels and friends), and there are no ratios for safety.

We have a new system, new management and new everything-it's dangerous, we are overwhelmed and already I am ready to jump ship. The environment for patient and nurse alike is unsafe.

As far as hours, breaks(what breaks), benefits and pay-they aren't enough!

I worked 60-70 hours week at my last job in managment, and worked my butt off. I was mentally and physically exhausted. This is so different, it is emotionally, and physically damaging to the mind and body-always in the background I wonder if I charted enough, everything I've done, done ally of my nursing actions well, and if the patient is better for being in my care. The bad is starting to outweigh the good and I don't like it!

We've been seeing seasoned nurses leave for less stressful areas, and I find that to be stressful. We need expertise, we need those nurses adn they just let them go by not addressing their needs. I am waiting for the bad things to happen, AND THEY WILL.

Maisy:stone

[hospitalstaph]

Our youngest is 5 months and our oldest is 15 years. Sadly, we are losing a lot in the 5-10 year experience range. They say they are just tired, tired of no breaks, tired of no say in how things are run, tired of the holds, etc

[Traumanurse60]

I too have 31:redbeathe years experience but just can't hang with the 12 hour shifts anymore. I am very lucky as they now call me in when it gets swamped and I can come or not. I love being PRN for this. Still get to keep my skills up but not kill myself in the process.

[bsnurse509]

I've worked in a Level 1 for almost 6 years now. I love it and only work Fri and Saturday 7p-7a. I have seen numerous seasoned nurses leave for the same reasons. Horrible managment, pay scales and terrible working conditions. It is the same old story and basically nothing changes. The only reason I stay is the hospital is an easy commute. I am always amazed at new nurses who come to the ED first and think it will be a walk in the park....only to stay a few weeks after their orientation.

If I worked at Walmart I would be guaranteed a lunch break and bathroom break. But for whatever reason no one thinks nurses who work 12+hr shifts need to eat. Truck drivers can only drive 10 hrs per day....but nurses?

[Jennifer, RN]

I know I am not considered seasoned, but I have worked in the ER for 3.5 years (tele for 5), and have no intent on leaving any time soon. As much as I hate the no breaks to eat, pee, etc.... I LOVE the ER. I even love the stupid patients (well, maybe not ALL the time).

My ER has 4, 8 and 12 hours shifts, even though most work 12 hour shifts. But, scheduling is very flexible in my ER.

We have quite a few nurses that have worked in our ER for greater than 10 years, and a couple that have worked there for 20+. You can tell they are burnt out, but they love their job, and I can't imagine them working any place else.

Thank God for the long term ER nurses, because they are the ones that train the newbies and make sure the ER is running sort of smooth. Plus, they are a wealth of knowledge and skills.

[SMY2367]

I started 3 months ago and was the first of 11 new grads that were hired! I don't know where all the seasoned nurses are going!

[SDS_RN, RN]

In a few weeks I will be in the ED for 1 yr. Was surgical for 1 yr previouisly. I work w/ a lot of seasoned nurses most 20+ yrs. I love it because they have sooooo much knowledge and I love learning from them.