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What its like being an acute nurse?
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THOMAS’s Answer
It can feel a lot like waiting tables in a busy restaurant.
In fact, if you’re really serious about exploring Nursing I would suggest that you get a job waiting tables. Preferably at a place with a liquor license.
People want what they want when they want it. Some are understanding about your limits and others not at all.
And the minute by minute priorities are always changing.
None of the above should be seen as absolutely a bad thing or a good thing. It’s simply what the work consists of. Acute care nursing demands flexibility, in your thinking and in your emotions.
The work will build those qualities into you.
If you let it.
In fact, if you’re really serious about exploring Nursing I would suggest that you get a job waiting tables. Preferably at a place with a liquor license.
People want what they want when they want it. Some are understanding about your limits and others not at all.
And the minute by minute priorities are always changing.
None of the above should be seen as absolutely a bad thing or a good thing. It’s simply what the work consists of. Acute care nursing demands flexibility, in your thinking and in your emotions.
The work will build those qualities into you.
If you let it.
Updated
Cindy’s Answer
If you are a nurse looking to specialize, “acute care nursing” is usually working in an urgent care, emergency room or clinic that provides care for a variety of “acute” illnesses.
In this position you would be responsible for taking the vitals, getting a basic history, you might need to place an IV, assist with minimal procedures like splinting, wound care, administering medications or breathing treatments. You might also help with education about their illness during the encounter – management of headaches, asthma, wounds, chest pain, respiratory or gi infections.
In this position you would be responsible for taking the vitals, getting a basic history, you might need to place an IV, assist with minimal procedures like splinting, wound care, administering medications or breathing treatments. You might also help with education about their illness during the encounter – management of headaches, asthma, wounds, chest pain, respiratory or gi infections.
Updated
Toni’s Answer
The acute care setting can be very different depending on which area you work in. The majority of nurses in the acute care setting are on a medical/surgical, telemetry floors where you have a higher nurse to patient ratio as the patients are usually less critical, such as treating pneumonia, lap cholecystectomies, abdominal surgeries, chf, COPD. Critical care nurse are usually one to three patients per nurse where the patients are much sicker, often with IV drips that require frequent monitoring, they may be on a ventilator. There are also nurses in specialty areas like hemodialysis, PACU, endoscopy, radiology and special procedures which is different than your floor nurse (med/surg, tele, icu), you usually care for one patient at a time for a very short period (maybe as little as 30 minutes), then you move on to the next one. These positions often has a prerequisite of med/surg, tele, critical care experience. You have many options as a nurse in the acute care setting.
Updated
Janice’s Answer
Hi Aubrey,
I am a nurse with over 25 years experience. I began my nursing career in acute care (hospital ICU setting).
Many feel that starting a career in acute care builds the foundation to practice nursing in many settings. An acute care nurse develops technical skills, organization, documentation, and leadership.
An acute care nurse is typically very busy. Nurse patient ratios may also be high. Typically working weekends, holidays and offshift rotation is part of the duty.
Nursing is a rewarding profession. You are able to assist patients with wellness during their time of need.
You may also decide to enter a specialty practice once you have the foundation skills. Specialties include pediatrics, maternity, mental health, rehab, geriatrics, office practice, clinic practice and more.
Good luck with your nursing career!
I am a nurse with over 25 years experience. I began my nursing career in acute care (hospital ICU setting).
Many feel that starting a career in acute care builds the foundation to practice nursing in many settings. An acute care nurse develops technical skills, organization, documentation, and leadership.
An acute care nurse is typically very busy. Nurse patient ratios may also be high. Typically working weekends, holidays and offshift rotation is part of the duty.
Nursing is a rewarding profession. You are able to assist patients with wellness during their time of need.
You may also decide to enter a specialty practice once you have the foundation skills. Specialties include pediatrics, maternity, mental health, rehab, geriatrics, office practice, clinic practice and more.
Good luck with your nursing career!