In the emergency room, nurses work around the clock to ensure that all patients receive the care they need. So when it comes to hiring a nurse for your ER, how do you find and hire the very best? What qualities should you look for, and how do you attract top talent to your hospital? Here are just a few things to keep in mind.
Good Communication
It cannot be stressed enough that good communication is critical for the success of ER nurses. Things happen fast within an emergency room environment, and communication can break down quickly without the ability to discern and prioritize. A good ER nurse will hear and repeat the most critical information and share it with anyone else.
Empathy
A lot happens quickly in an ER, from trauma emergencies that require immediate attention to individuals coming in with various medical concerns. Understandably, some people might be frustrated when they’re not seen immediately, but it’s part of the process. Practicing empathy with people who are scared and frustrated patients and family members is essential.
Critical Thinking Skills
An ER nurse will have to think quickly and make decisions on the fly. There isn’t always time to consult with someone else to determine the next steps. When hiring an ER nurse, you’ll want to assess how they problem-solve and think critically about any issue that may happen along the way.
Safety Conscious
Of course, the ER is also where safety needs to be a priority. People come to the ER for care, so hazards are not in the cards. An ER nurse should pay attention to patient behavior, obstacles, challenges, and other issues that might present a safety problem to the team, patients, or families and have a plan to solve them right away.
