ER Nurses Blog

It's not good. Period. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/mapping-americas-underfunded-state-pension-and-healthcare-liability-debacle

save your back! lift with your knees! wear good shoes! nurses, what are some tips you can share on preventing injury on the job?

Let's take a quick survey of your hospital: is there a shortage of ER nurses? There's a different between a shortage and the desire to hire cheaper nurses. What state are you in and are you hiring ER nurses? Are you always hiring? Is it because of quick turnover of nurses? Do you find that the upcoming demographic change (more aging nurses set to retire) is starting to open up more positions? Or is it hard to find a job in the ER these days?

Although this is an unofficial survey designed to give prospective ER nurses a heads up of what to expect, but what is your salary as an ER nurse? Past or present, please include a range of your salary and your state. No need to post your personal details :P Here is a 'current' estimate of nursing salaries for those with a BSC (seems a bit high?)

We had a post on brand new nurses looking to jump inton the ER, but what about those who wish to transfer? The ER, that's your dream cause you're a glutton for punishment, (what can you say?) What can you do to transfer, improve your chances of making a transition, and succeeding in the ER? Get some courage and talk to your supervisor? Apply discreetly? Maybe you want to be a tech in ER first? What does the community think? Any current/past ER nurses with experience from their transition?

Be honest. Are ER Nurses the biggest drama queens in the hospital? Yes, ER nurses are front line staff and see all the cool stuff like stab wounds and gunshot holes. But, is there a level of arrogance at the frontline? Anybody encounter ER nurses snubbing other units in a kind of smug "I do more than you're lazy a$$" attitude? Or are ER Nurses really that cool :D Perhaps the level of stress encountered in the fast paced life and death environment (I mean come on, think of life as seen through the lens of all those TV shows) warrants a level of hubris? Your thoughts?

We'd like to poll the community with a question that has come through the email a few times. For those nurses who have worked or are currently working in the ER, what kind of advice and expectations can you give to new nurses in the unit? Please offer some helpful advice in the comment section below.