Pros
Being a part of helping the local community. I get to provide care for my family and friends. I am looking forward to getting back in school to complete my bachelor's and master's degrees. And the self scheduling flexibility is really helpful as well as tuition reimbursement. The pay partial program is a nice plus as I did not need the insurance benefits.
Kontras
The ED has a different dynamic with many strong personalities. The one turn off at this point is observing the nurses talk badly about others, even in front of orientees, myself included. Almost every nurse in the department has had what I feel is an inappropriate conversation about other nurses while I am there. It does not make me feel secure in being part of the team at all. My preceptor was a very knowledgeable nurse and a strong ER presence. However, I felt that I was either being nit-picked or just a nuisance most days as she was often also charge. She spent much of her time doing not work related things. I did feel I could go to her with questions at any point. That wasn't a problem. As preceptor, it is her responsibility to make sure I am doing what I should how I should. But to be unaware of what I have been doing for the last 30 minutes in a room with a critical patient and then state I need to chart more quickly or that bed 2 needs a line and labs, those situations were trying. Often when I asked a question the answer was preceded by "we've talked about this", making me feel insecure about asking questions (though I did anyway). At the end of my 12 wk orientation, I can say I do feel completely comfortable doing my job, but the orientation was trying.
