What It's Really Like Working In A Hospital Emergency Room | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health Wellness

What Goes On Behind The Swinging Doors Of An ER, From Someone Wearing The Scrubs

You have seen paramedics rushing with a gurney with someone lying on it... is that really true though?

241
What Goes On Behind The Swinging Doors Of An ER, From Someone Wearing The Scrubs

This is my personal exposé on working in an emergency department and telling you if "Grey's Anatomy" is a myth or not too far from the actual truth. The blood, the running, the codes, the ambulance, the sirens, happens all the time actually and it's not just a "once in a blue moon" situation.

Every day as you get there we do what we call huddle which is gathering together and talking about the shift before and what happened in regards how many people were admitted into the hospital if it was a busy shift and as well how our staffing looks for the incoming shift. Our huddles only happen twice a day for the change of morning and night shift. Morning shift is from 7 a.m. -7 p.m. and night shift is from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. If your shift is any time between that (i.e. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. or 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. you report to the charge nurse) which is the nurse that will be calling the shots and placing you for the day.

In the emergency department where I report to, we have what we call pods meaning different sections of where you will be working and they are sectioned off my acuity level.

Pod 1: the most critical acuity, the place where the trauma rooms are held and where you will find the running and sweating of the staff because the location consists of our code 5 or code blue (cardiac arrest) being held.

Pod 2: half side A and half side B meaning that half of that side have just as much acuity level in pod 1 and the other half have a lower acuity level.

Pod 3: it's a combination of all three and it is opened if we need more rooms because the level of patients present is a high census.

Side C: this side is our "urgent care" side and where we see the lowest acuity of patients relating to flu, headaches, or placing splints.

Working in this department is certainly not meant for everyone but if it meant for you, you will enjoy both flaws and perks of the department. I enjoy the busy the crazy and the short-staffed days, it is tough but it gives me sort of my purpose working in the department.

You eventually see people you know in a different state in a state you don't know and that they are needing your help and it also helps you understand how to prioritize the tasks you have ahead of you and the acuity level of patients. It gives you a rush and you are always left in a state of high intensity and sense of feeling rushed.

However, just because I am able to work in such a "selfless" environment, does not mean that it is always the best. In fact, many show up with an ungrateful attitude and have cursed at us or even have tried to throw a strike they are just not oriented to comprehend.

As many tiresome days, I have worked, it does pay up. It pays because at the end of the day it pays to have helped someone and it fascinates me to learn more about the human body and how deceitful it may be to ourselves.

Is there ever crying?

Yes, either patients, family members or even staff if the situation is too close they tear up or are touched up. It's normal. We are human, but we don't let it get to us and remove ourselves if we are not able to handle it.

Scandalous relationships and secret seductive rendezvous?

Giphy

No... and maybe yes. Everything is extremely secretive but everything is also spread so thinly you eventually hear it. No people are not sleeping at the hospital. There is not even time to go to the bathroom sometimes let alone sleep at the department. It's an emergency department that is continuously short-staffed just like any other place. Sorry no Dr. McDreamy is present here with his intern that decide to meet in the on-call room. Actually, we do not have access to that it is very limited and not even sure we may have an on-call room.

I met my own Cristina Yang...

Giphy

Working 12 hours, 3 days a week and sometimes picking up over time, helps you create relationships and even the best of friendships. I can say if you choose your friends wisely and are able to have enough free time to be with one another then you can have your very own Cristina Yang. You get to have close friendships that you can both work together and bond over the EMS that you got including the two new patients you just received.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190465
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15051
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457968
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26696
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments