Skip to main content

A Typical Saturday Night at the Emergency Room



What is a typical Saturday night in a busy hospital emergency room like?  Well, that is more or less a rhetorical question, because there actually is no typical Saturday night in a busy emergency room.  Some things stay the same, even some patients are the same, but everything typical?  Never! 


  • 7:00 p.m.- an auto accident involving a car and a motorcycle was called into the ER.  The driver of the car had only minor injuries, however the motorcycle driver was very bad off.  Upon arrival, this 38 year old patient had multiple injuries, including a severe injury to his right leg.  He was unconscious, and doctors advised family members he would be going to surgery.  Two hours into surgery doctors advised the family that the patient would lose his right leg from the lower thigh down, and that they were still operating and attempting to stabilize.  At 4:00 a.m. the family was told the patient was, out of surgery, however he would not make it.  He lived 4 more hours and passed away with a fiancé, two children, and his parents at his side.

  • 8:45 p.m.- A 16 year old boy came into the ER with his friend, bleeding heavily.  He was attempting to impress his friends by catching a machete in midair.  Not only did the young man need sutures, he needed surgery after cutting through tendons and nerves.

  • 9:30 p.m. A 22 year old pregnant female arrived with her sister beside her holding a towel to her abdomen.  The patient's boyfriend was upset and stabbed her with a box cutter.  The patient and sister were both hysterical.  It was later revealed the knife entered the abdomen, however, missed the uterus by less than one inch.  Sutures and time to recover would be what the patient needed.  Social services were called in for a consult. 

  • 11:00 p.m. The police arrived with a very irate patient, saying that the patient had swallowed a handful of pills.  For safety reasons the patient was restrained, and later had his stomach voided of the contents, before heading off to jail.

  • 11:45 p.m. A 48 year old man was at the ER with the insistence of his wife.  He was experiencing chest pains earlier and although he insisted he was fine, his wife had other ideas.  As the nurse started his EKG, it was obvious there was a problem, then he spoke up saying he didn't feel well, right before coding.  Thankfully, staff got him back, and he was moved to the cardiac unit. His wife returned for a visit 3 days later, thanking everyone that saved her very “stubborn” husband’s life.


Five hours in the emergency room, and these could be some of the cases. Of course there are numerous other possibilities as well. 

Emergency rooms are often crowded, and even with enough staff, there is not always available space to treat patients.  Unfortunately, many people view emergency departments as a means of routine medical care, such as colds and viruses.  It can become a type of convenient care, so that they don't have to bother with doctor appointments.  Although this practice is discouraged, it is still a problem.  Some emergency departments are now providing only immediate care, and suggesting a follow up with a private physician. 


An emergency department is a very fast paced environment, and ideal for a nurse that prefers change and variety.  In order to be successful in the ER, there has to be a willingness to work with patients of all ages and from all walks of life.  Unlike designated floors such as pediatrics, the ER will see anyone from infants, to geriatric patients, and everyone in between.  Working in an emergency room can be a great experience, as you will see a variety of conditions and injuries.  It can appear very well on a resume, and it's nice to experience a multitude of treatments being performed. 

Emergency room nurses that work triage need to be able think quickly and make decisions based on priority of patient needs.  Most nurses work in an emergency have an average of 5 years’ experience  before changing jobs or transferring to another department.

If you have an interest in working in the ER, one of the first steps may be to volunteer for open shifts to determine if it's a good fit. You will know very soon if it's a good match. 


Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest  and Twitter

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

As a Nursing Student, what Extracurricular Activities are Beneficial?

We already had our time to treat the immense demanding curricula a nursing school provides. Nursing students are often familiarized with it at the very beginning of their journey. Information usually being provided is strictly covering what the school curricula involve. It does not provide hints on possible courses or extracurricular activities a nurse-to-be has to follow in order to get the most of his/her studying years. A nursing student might consider going for a nurse related extracurricular activity that will be efficient in terms of time management. What might count as a productive extracurricular activity for a nursing student? o      Initiating one or more community service projects o      Job shadowing o      Volunteer   Why should one consider these extracurricular activities once he or she is studying to become a nurse? Well, first of all, nursing requires a lot of good will and dedication. It is that kind of profession you need to put all your physic

Where do Registered Nurses Work?

Registered nurses are needed far and wide, and there dispersal amongst various facilities is illuminating.   Commonly, you associate nurses with hospitals, but their expertise is needed in a plethora of environments.   An overwhelming amount of nurses, (60% to be exact) operate in hospitals.   Comparing this percentage to the mere 5% working in nursing homes, RN’s have disseminated into non-governmental and EDU positions, as well as employment facilities and doctor’s offices.    Related : 2016 INTERNATIONAL NURSES ASSOCIATION (INA) SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Visit www.nurseadvisormagazine.com for more information on nursing. R elated : Top Nurse with the International Nurses Association, Steven Eric Southerland, RN, BSN, AAS, EMT-P to Publish in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook , Linkedin , Pinterest , Twitter

Insomnia in Nurses

The nursing profession has more workers suffering from insomnia than any profession overall.   It's really not surprising: rotating shifts, long hours, emotionally draining days or nights, and of course the pressure of not making a mistake. It all can take its toll, and that toll may be in the form of insomnia.   Insomnia Facts Do you ever look at s sleeping baby, and think about how you wish you could sleep like that?   Babies have no daily worries. Someone always cares for their needs, so their minds are not preoccupied with “what ifs”, or consumed with thoughts of everything that must be accomplished the following day.   No wonder we can't sleep!   One of the main reasons so many nurses suffer from insomnia is that it's difficult to essentially shut the mind down.   You can physically put your body to bed, however you cannot reach in the brain, flip a switch, and turn of the mind.   Think of it like this; you get a comfortable blanket and pillow however ins