Any ITU/ A&E nurses/ former nurses out there?

[Littlepiglet123]

Im a specialist nurse for a community nurse team. I feel pretty done with it and am looking to try something new. Have always been curious about ITU and A&E. Did placements in those areas way back as a student.
I haven't worked in acute care for ages but rid spend some time in acute medical but not for a while. I'm sure I can pick up the skills, just wondering if I'm mad to even consider it- long shifts etc

My job is far from easy but I suppose it's a different kind of stress. I like the idea of helping those who really need it. I am a bit tired of working in chronic disease management and am increasingly disheartened by trying to help (some) patients that do not really want to help themselves.

I was an ED nurse then sister for 10 years (left last year go to OP!). I loved it. Really really loved it. I needed a change after so long there, stressful role and unsupportive management but I still miss the actual job.

ITU and ED are entirely different though- ITU would be my nightmare. What is it you’re looking for? What sort of worker are you?

You will absolutely pick up skills and these areas are chronically understaffed and would snap you up. I suspect the LD would be hard to do at first, I adore now working Monday- Friday in normal hours and seeing my family every day/ having weekends and bank holidays off.

Thanks so much for your reply. I really appreciate the response, sorry for the long reply. I agree there is so much benefit to office hours but as I'm part time I don't think I feel it as much. If you see what I mean!

You are right they are very different. I think with ITU I like the idea of feeling part of a supportive team (I guess that's not a given though!) I did about 2 months in Itu as a student and I liked the fact I could concentrate on a couple of patients and do my job well- in my current job I am so overwhelmed managing a case load- I miss managing my day and not having to worry about tomorrow or 6 weeks down the line. It's a bit daft but I am in a place where I am so burned out by very needy patients who take so much but by and large won't do anything for themselves (I have some gorgeous patients too, I think I am just a bit drained) I am usually very good at talking listening, guiding, coaching but have hit a wall and I have had zero support for so long I feel that "I'm done" there.

With ED I have next to no experience apart from amu. So a bit different. Very little support there either! I like thinking on my feet and prioritizing my day, responding to whatever comes in.

In my head (so not at all fact based!) Both areas appeal to me because I am sick of papering over the cracks. My patients are very needy, unwilling to change. We throw all the drugs in the world at them when a few lifestyle changes would mean there is no need to be on all these drugs. I enjoy lifestyle change and health promotion but it only really has a beneficial end result of the patient meets you half way.

My idea of Itu is- that patient really needs that vent, tlc, medication and my idea of ED is that patient really needs xyz (or at least thinks they need it...ok that is idealistic, many patients don't need to be there but!)

When I was briefly in Itu I missed chatting with the patients, hdu had a bit of chat. But I am so sick of hearing patients all day and then my kids all night!!!! I think having a caseload has been the biggest learning curve for me. It was difficult to get my head round and I feel like my patients have free access to me which is what I suppose is causing me to feel burnt out.

I’m an ANP in the community (GP practice employed) but very much hear what you are saying , it is relentless and incredibly stressful (as are all areas of health
care now). Do you want acute/fast paced care? So many things to consider, and for me I don’t think I could handle the night shifts now , but the long days end up pretty much what we all end up doing now (increased clinical workload).
I keep looking for something completely unrelated to health care as I’m compassion fatigued for the same reasons as you, and wondered if I did something completely different I would not have that 24 hour sense of responsibility.

@user1498193554 thank you for your reply. I don't mind fast-paced, I like being busy to a certain extent. My employer recently asked if I would like to become a prescriber and for time I thought this may help me in my role but now I am having 2nd thoughts.

Night shifts are not something I enjoy either- our local trust offers a self-rostering service so I would a have a little control over when I work.

I suppose acute my suit me as I won't have a caseload and it is that aspect I find so draining at this moment. Like you, I'm very happy to consider roles outside of nursing.

For some time I thought I might like to become a nurse practitioner but from the research I have done it feels like I might have to jump through hoops to do it. Would you mind sharing how you became an ANP? Thank you!

:)

I did acute hospital ward work- haematology:oncology and then moved to community- did my Specialist practitioner degree and was a district nurse, then a specialist palliative care nurse, then modules to become and ANP- the responsibility just seems to increase constantly with the shortage of GP’s , and the complexity of
community patients. I find expectations difficult to manage - mainly due to lack of resources - I sort of feel I’ve been doing it so long (since 96) and I’ve lost my confidence to make the jump and do something completely different!

It may not be your bag, but I have heard of nurses with your amazing skill set starting up their own business' with a more integrative health focus.

I don't think nursing does much to instill confidence- being undervalued, underpaid and continuously over-stretched has a gradual negative impact on our core selves. It's not on!

I hope you find something you love x