ICU vs ED

I have an enormous amount of respect for ICU nurses. However; if they are specially trained to take care of ICU patients and have a ratio of 1 nurse to 2 patients (generally) why are ED nurses expected to hold multiple ICU patients and also take care of walk-ins and those patients that arrive via ambulance. Honestly, these patients do not receive the same care as they would if they were in the unit. I think that ED nurses are very capable of multi-tasking and do the best they can taking care of these patients. If it were my family member and they were sick enough to be admitted to the ICU, then that is the type of care I would want them to have.

What is not an emergency

#2 A cough that started one hour prior to your arrival to the ED

Helpful Hint #2

If you are coming to the emergency room to be seen for abdominal pain please do not ask for something to eat or drink!

HELPFUL HINT #1: If you have not had a menstrual period in four months, are sexually active, and do not use protection

Yes indeed you may be pregnant!

What is not an emergency!

1. Dental pain that has been going on for 3 weeks does not warrant a visit to the ED at 2am. FYI: THERE ARE NO DENTIST IN THE ED!

Reflection

I remember being in nursing school and feeling that I would save the world. I loved helping people and their families. I am not sure when that all changed but after 5 years it has. Don't get me wrong I still enjoy helping people but it seems as though with the many expectations placed on nurses, it is becoming increasingly difficult to say I love my job.

For example when did I also become a waitress? When did I become a social worker? When did I become a outlet for others to verbally and physically abuse? When did I become that cynical nurse that I hated in nursing school?