What They Don’t Tell You About Emergency Nursing, Part 1

When you think of ER nursing, you probably imagine fast-paced decision-making, trauma bays, and complex medical scenarios. And yes—those things are absolutely part of it.

But what no one really tells you is this:

One of the most important skills you’ll develop in the ER is learning how to talk to people.
All kinds of people. In all kinds of states.

Here’s the funny part: you don’t even need to be a “people person.”
You just need to be observant, intuitive, and genuine. And honestly? It’s a very underrated ability. One that can either make a difference to a patient/family member in their time of need or an outcome with a psych. And trust me we are also human, and thus never perfect and this is why we must recognize our own signs of stress and burnout prior to it happening.

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👀 It’s About Reading People—Fast

When someone rolls into your ER bay, you have to make instant judgments—not just about vitals or physical symptoms, but about their emotional state, communication style, and even what tone of voice they’ll respond best to.

Some patients want warmth.
Some want directness.
Some want humor.
Some will give you a hard time regardless of what you say.

Being able to read the room—even in 15 seconds—is a superpower that only comes with time. But it starts by paying attention.

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💬 Always Start with the Basics

No matter how chaotic the shift or how urgent the task, one thing I always do:

“Hi, my name is ____. I’ll be your nurse today.”

Simple. Clear. Grounding.
That one sentence sets the tone and establishes trust from the first second. It keeps the moment human.

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⏱ Multitask with Intention (It Makes a Huge Difference)

In the ER, you’re constantly working around your to-do list—drawing labs, checking orders, placing patients on monitors, grabbing meds—and still trying to make people feel seen.

One of the best tricks I’ve learned over the years?
Time your full assessment with the provider visit.
Why?
Because most providers will ask many of the same questions you need for your chart—and it helps the patient avoid repeating their story 5 times.

Yes, some repetition is medically necessary. But if someone’s feeling sick, anxious, or exhausted, they will notice and appreciate when you’re trying to streamline things for them.
And yes—a happier patient often makes your job easier.

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👶 Don’t Forget the Kids (and Their Parents)

Pediatric patients deserve a special mention here—because the communication dance is completely different.

You’re not just treating a child.
You’re treating the entire unit: child + caregiver(s).

Here’s what’s worked for me:

• I always address the child first—even if they’re little. A quick “Hi buddy, I’m your nurse today. We’re going to help you feel better, okay?” goes a long way.
• Then, I turn to the parents—and refer to them as “Mom” and “Dad” in the room. “Hey Mom, I’m going to place this monitor on his chest now. Totally painless—just some stickers.”
  “Dad, we’ll get those meds started shortly—thank you for helping him stay calm.”

It seems simple, but it’s powerful.
Calling them Mom or Dad acknowledges their role and reassures them that you see how important this tiny human is to them. Because let’s be real—they’re scared. Even if they don’t show it. And children, who are emotionally tuned into their parents, will pick up on every cue.

If you can calm the parents—you calm the child, too.

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🙋‍♀️ You Don’t Need to Be a Talker—You Just Need to Connect

People assume ER nurses are outgoing, chatty, energetic. And sure, some of us are.
But honestly? You can be quiet. You can be introverted. You can be soft-spoken.

What matters is that you’re present, empathetic, and adaptable.
That you listen. That you adjust your tone. That you explain things clearly—even when you’re busy.

And most of all, that you remember:

In the middle of the chaos, there’s still a real human sitting in that stretcher, waiting to be heard.

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💬 Let’s Talk

What’s something you do to connect with patients when you’re short on time but still want to make an impact?
Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear what works for you.