Im so grateful for what you and Nurse Liz are doing. I found you from watching a few of her videos and I love listening to you both. Im currently considering going back to community college to pursue an ADN in nursing and its wonderful to hear an insider perspective on what it is like!
I have 1 year in the ED now and it is a good specialty for me. I was told it would be traumatizing, that it was normal to cry every day after a shift, etc. And I must say, that has not been true for me. You're right Scott, you do have to see death and suffering as a natural part of life (gut level belief). We do spend more time alleviating suffering than 'watching' it. Being witness to death and suffering is profound, and honestly a privilege at times. Having a role in that process (whether we are preventing death it or facilitating it) is an honor. Working for any hospital system with staffing issues, in any state with no nursing protection laws, in a post-pandemic world is a whole other animal. I hope that things here improve, or that I can move to California one day so I can continue to do the job I enjoy under better conditions.
I’m not in medicine but I would think the most stressful job in the world other than air traffic controller . Glad some people that can do this , so many sad situations 😐
Loved this! I am in my second semester of nursing school and am anxiously awaiting the day when a specialty clicks. I have thought the ED might be the place for me, but who knows! As you say, there are specialties out that there you don't even know about yet, so I know that I will find my place at some point. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences!
