What It's Like to Be an ER Nurse
ER nursing reality: triage, variety, autonomy, the bad ones.
ER nursing is variety, speed, and autonomy. Different from floor. Different from ICU.
What the day looks like
Triage. Multiple patients in various stages. Procedures (IV starts, blood draws, EKG, foley). Rapid assessment cycles. Calling consults.
Variety
Anything walks through the door. Chest pain. Sprained ankle. Psychiatric crisis. Drug overdose. Pediatric fever. Childbirth in waiting room (sometimes).
Hard parts
Waiting room overcrowding. Boarding inpatients in ED. Drug-seeking patients. Trauma. Pediatric resuscitation.
Why ER nurses stay
Variety. Autonomy. Critical care without the long-term relationships. Camaraderie.
Frequently asked
Best for what type of nurse?
Quick decision-makers. Variety lovers. Comfortable with uncertainty. Resilient.
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