
Emergency Department Staff Nurse, Lauren, describes her career path into Nursing, factors she considered before embarking on her journey and how quickly you can progress if you are open to the opportunities.
The Progression Of An Emergency Department Nurse
There was always something about Emergency Nursing that drew me in.
Whether it was the promise of an adrenaline-filled night shift while the rest of the hospital slept soundly, the constant influx of critically unwell patients or the emphasis on cohesive teamwork, it was always the area of nursing in which I wanted to specialise.
There were others that tempted me during my training. I had some amazing mentors in long term stroke rehabilitation wards who showed me the true value that lay in what some call ‘basic’ nursing skills.
The dignity involved in a bed bath, the glow on a patient’s face when you brushed their hair or put on their makeup, and the level of integrated care from the entire multidisciplinary team needed to achieve discharge to a patient’s own home were all skills I admired and only began to scratch the surface of during my management placement.
If I had to say anything about the course my career has taken so far, it is that it was entirely dependent on choices: choices about which way to study, which post to take after qualifying, what opportunities to grasp when I finally put on that blue tunic and started to be referred to as “Staff Nurse” instead of “the student.”
Choosing To Study Nursing
The choice to study nursing was one I made relatively late compared to some of my peers. For most of my childhood, my only true insight into the working world was watching my primary school teachers go about their day.
School provided a comforting routine and a welcome challenge as I progressed into grammar school education. It was a place I enjoyed going to, where I developed friendships that have spanned decades since, and it aligned well with the subjects I excelled in.
Suffice to say, teaching was not the path I found myself taking. All that was required was a week spent in a classroom with twenty children all vying for my attention, plus a conversation with one of my former teachers stating how many hours she spent after school working on lesson plans, and I was cast adrift with my career aspirations.
Back to the drawing board!
I did the same as anyone else in my year. I looked at my favourite subjects – biology, psychology, English – and tried to find a career that could combine both science and art, often coming up short. I took quizzes, I spoke to my family, I poured through career databases trying to find one that fit.
“Doctor” appeared. I wasn’t keen – and then right beside it, in bold letters, “nurse.”
I hadn’t thought about being a nurse since I was a little girl running around in their uniform pretending to heal the injuries of teddy bears.
When I went home to my mum that evening, she reminded me that my nursery teacher used to fondly refer to me as “Florence Nightingale.” I was “always first to the scene of a crisis,” my mum said with a smile.
Emergency nursing it was.
It’s sometimes as simple as that to say something out loud and feel that it’s right for you. Other times it’s more difficult.
Never once in my time at university did I regret my decision to study nursing. To help if you’re trying to make this decision, these are factors I considered:
• The commitment to training – nursing school is three intense years (sometimes four, depending on the university). We don’t get the same holidays as other students. We work full time for half of the year, which makes it difficult to keep up with a part time job, and our hours often aren’t set.
I was lucky enough to be able to stay at home during my degree, but this might be something worth considering.
There are, however, apprenticeships available, as well as the nursing associate role and numerous student loans and grants that could be of benefit, so this isn’t a deal breaker by any means.
• The lifestyle – I love nursing because it allows me a certain degree of flexibility. I work three long days a week, allowing me four days off to fulfil family commitments and indulge in hobbies.
If I had children, it would allow me to bring them to school and pick them up on those days too. Of course, there are nine to five nursing roles out there. Just be aware there won’t be unsocial hours payments along with these, so you will only get a base salary.
• The work itself – I find myself a very practical person. I enjoy being hands on and learn best when I’m shown something and then try it myself. I find a lot of my colleagues to be the same.
If you enjoy learning on your feet, going with your gut and refining your intuition, nursing will be an extremely rewarding profession.
Don’t let concerns over pay or working conditions push you from a path you feel worth taking.
In my experience, I’ve had enough money to buy my own house at age 22, to live alone and have some savings on the side. This will, of course, be dependent on location – I’m in Northern Ireland, which is more affordable than many parts of England.
Shift patterns and working conditions can often be adjusted by moving jobs or advancing with enough experience.
Look at the pay for yourself, write out a monthly budget, and see if it was something you could live with.
About this contributor
Emergency Department Staff Nurse
My name is Lauren Irwin and I’m an emergency department staff nurse. I started my career early during the Covid-19 pandemic and chose to take my first post in emergency care. I’ve since worked on several quality improvement projects focusing on medicine administration and diabetes care. I’m passionate about helping newly qualified nurses and students settle in and achieve their full potential.
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Log In Subscribe to commentMichelle Hutchby
Michelle Hutchby
2 years agoThis is a well written and valuable read, thanks Lauren.
This is a well written and valuable read, thanks Lauren.
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