1. The rota is tough. I know you’re knackered, you’ve probably not seen your friends and family for ages and the rota is playing havoc with your sleep. Please, tell me if you’re struggling. I would rather know, and support you, rather than you burning out. It’s ok not to be ok 
2. Don’t lose your humanity
We’re a battle hardened lot, we’re quirky and sometimes cynical. I’m sorry for that. Empathy is something to be treasured, hold onto it. Being kind is never a weakness.
#10ThingsToKnow
We’re a battle hardened lot, we’re quirky and sometimes cynical. I’m sorry for that. Empathy is something to be treasured, hold onto it. Being kind is never a weakness.
#10ThingsToKnow
3. Take a break
Thank you, for trying to help me when you’ve been working 8 hours without a break, and you don’t feel able to leave me and the shop floor with a 5 hour wait. You’re amazing. But please, take a break. You’ll be safer, and more productive for it.
#10ThingsToKnow
Thank you, for trying to help me when you’ve been working 8 hours without a break, and you don’t feel able to leave me and the shop floor with a 5 hour wait. You’re amazing. But please, take a break. You’ll be safer, and more productive for it.
#10ThingsToKnow
4. Let me help with difficult referrals
Sometimes, it seems that you get a hard time for every referral you make. Remember you are advocating for your patient. Trust your instinct; if they need to come in let me shoulder the burden and speak to the admitting team
#10ThingsToKnow
Sometimes, it seems that you get a hard time for every referral you make. Remember you are advocating for your patient. Trust your instinct; if they need to come in let me shoulder the burden and speak to the admitting team
#10ThingsToKnow
5. Debrief
Some of us can seem quite hardened. Trust me, we are feeling it more than we are letting on. If you’re involved a difficult case, an arrest, a sick child, anything, take me to one side and say “can we talk through it”. Even if it’s weeks or months down the line.
Some of us can seem quite hardened. Trust me, we are feeling it more than we are letting on. If you’re involved a difficult case, an arrest, a sick child, anything, take me to one side and say “can we talk through it”. Even if it’s weeks or months down the line.
6. I want to know if you’re feeling threatened
Sadly we are seeing more and more violence towards staff. If you feel vulnerable, even if you think you’re being silly, trust your instinct, leave the cubicle and tell me. I don’t want you in there, let a senior handle it.
Sadly we are seeing more and more violence towards staff. If you feel vulnerable, even if you think you’re being silly, trust your instinct, leave the cubicle and tell me. I don’t want you in there, let a senior handle it.
7. You’re doing a great job
You may feel like you’re slower than everyone else. That you’re constantly asking questions. That’s ok. You’re being thorough and you’re doing great. Don’t ever feel pressured to speed up. Work at your own pace and always document everything.
You may feel like you’re slower than everyone else. That you’re constantly asking questions. That’s ok. You’re being thorough and you’re doing great. Don’t ever feel pressured to speed up. Work at your own pace and always document everything.
8. Breeches are my problem, not yours
Yes discuss your patients early. But breeches are often unavoidable. The important thing is that the patient gets the care they need. Sometimes, that takes longer than 4 hours. You worry about the patient, I’ll worry about the breeches
Yes discuss your patients early. But breeches are often unavoidable. The important thing is that the patient gets the care they need. Sometimes, that takes longer than 4 hours. You worry about the patient, I’ll worry about the breeches
9. Complaints
When you’re working flat out it’s devastating to receive a complaint. But honestly? It’s uncommon for anyone to get through an ED rotation without one. Often it’s not about you it’s about the system. Don’t ruminate on it. Grab me, lets talk it through.
When you’re working flat out it’s devastating to receive a complaint. But honestly? It’s uncommon for anyone to get through an ED rotation without one. Often it’s not about you it’s about the system. Don’t ruminate on it. Grab me, lets talk it through.
10. The nurses are your best friend
ED nurses are awesome. They have years of experience and have seen it all before. Their gut instinct is often right. Listen to what they have to say and ask them for advice. They will always have your back and a shoulder to cry on
ED nurses are awesome. They have years of experience and have seen it all before. Their gut instinct is often right. Listen to what they have to say and ask them for advice. They will always have your back and a shoulder to cry on
Most of all…enjoy it! It is often said that EM is the best 10 minutes of every specialty. You’ll learn an awful lot and will have a great team around you. Have fun and make sure your intentions are always honourable…
#10ThingsToKnow
#10ThingsToKnow
Resources: I would recommend #foamed for learning on the go; it’s fast and it’s free!
#10ThingsToKnow
#10ThingsToKnow
St Emlyns @stemlyns stemlynsblog.org
Life in the Fast Lane @sandnsurf lifeinthefastlane.com
RCEM @RCEMlearning rcemlearning.co.uk
SMACC podcast @SMACCteam itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sma…
Resus room @theresusroom theresusroom.co.uk
EM3 @EM3FOAMed em3.org.uk
Life in the Fast Lane @sandnsurf lifeinthefastlane.com
RCEM @RCEMlearning rcemlearning.co.uk
SMACC podcast @SMACCteam itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sma…
Resus room @theresusroom theresusroom.co.uk
EM3 @EM3FOAMed em3.org.uk
For your wellness- follow these ❤️
Tea and Empathy @Tea_EmpathyNHS facebook.com/groups/1215686…
Wellness Medic @medicwellness
ED Spa @edspa_mcr
#10ThingsToKnow
Tea and Empathy @Tea_EmpathyNHS facebook.com/groups/1215686…
Wellness Medic @medicwellness
ED Spa @edspa_mcr
#10ThingsToKnow
And finally welcome to the tribe! Emergency Medicine is very much a team sport. While you’re with us, you’re one of us. I hope you enjoy your rotation and any problems, I’m just a DM away...❤️Sammy an ED Reg @sbattrawden #10ThingsToKnow
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