The Stress of Working in an Emergency Room: A Perspective from an Experienced RN

Every kind of nursing is stressful in its own way. You choose your speciality based on what fits your personality and skills the best. I liked the Emergency Room (ER) but not for the big trauma cases or the life-saving moments. I am not an adrenaline junkie. I enjoyed sorting out the chaos and helping the patients with crises, like being scalped and needing his scalp stapled and stitched back on, and helping friends who were there when it happened, calm down, talk it through, and learn aftercare. Or showing parents how to bring down a small child's fever with a suppository of Tylenol and use cool wipes and fluids. Sorting out the crisis and teaching for the future was quite rewarding. The variety of patients was both interesting and challenging, broadening my knowledge and skills. As a Charge RN, I enjoyed managing the flow of care. Doctors would often remark, 'You do this differently.' I would ask them if that was good or bad and they would smile and say, 'More patient-driven.' I would interweave minor cases with major cases that were waiting for results. So, for example, a runny nose case would take moments, but it would clear a spot in the waiting room. Then I would put in a quick stitch case.

Physical and Mental Challenges of Working in an ER

Working in an Emergency Department (ED) is stressful but is not stressful all of the time. As an example, I've had night shifts where I had time to catch up on some reading. There is value in the variety of patients, as one nurse who worked with me pointed out. It is the one specialty where you can go home and say to yourself, 'I saved that person's life.' You also have the opportunity to care for patients at every stage of life, from infancy to extreme age, and every kind of interesting person, even famous people.

Career Satisfaction in Emergency Medicine

Career satisfaction in emergency medicine is not just about the adrenaline rush of saving lives. It's about the rewarding aspects of sorting out crises, teaching for the future, and managing the flow of care. As a Charge RN, I found that my approach often differed from doctors, but they appreciated the patient-driven approach. For instance, I would interweave minor cases with major cases that were waiting for results, thereby clearing spots in the waiting room for other patients. This helped me find my niche in the ER.

Conclusion: Why Choose to Work in an ER?

While working in an Emergency Room can be challenging, it is also profoundly rewarding. The variety of patients, the chance to make a significant impact, and the ability to care for people at various stages of life all contribute to a fulfilling career. If you're a nurse who thrives on variety and enjoys solving complex problems, the Emergency Room might be the perfect place for you.

Keywords: Emergency Room, Nursing Speciality, Emergency Medicine