UI Hospitals & Clinics is this nurse’s ‘gold standard’
Emily Sargent says the UI Hospitals & Clinics Emergency Department (ED) sees it all, whether it’s trauma, pediatrics, orthopedics, neurology, cardiology, burns, or anything in between, and it’s that variety Sargent loves about her job.
“We have expertise in so many different specialties,” says Sargent, RN, staff nurse in the ED. “It’s a fast-paced environment and we have the opportunity to dip our toes into everything in the ED. No day is like any other.”
The ED is full of energy and motion and is the perfect place, Sargent says, for nurses who want to gain clinical experience, use critical thinking skills, and care for a variety of patient populations.
“Our ED offers more resources for patients, conducts more tests and procedures, and cares for patients other hospitals can’t handle.”
Some days it looks like TV
“Grey’s Anatomy,” “House,” and “ER” are just a few shows that attempt to portray hospital life. And there are days when the ED somewhat resembles TV, according to Sargent.
“Oftentimes what you see on TV is the really critical, sick, trauma patients, and we definitely see that,” says Sargent. “But what they don’t show you on TV is everything else that’s going on in the ED behind the scenes.”
Sargent says that while critically ill patients are coming in, she and her team are still caring for the many other patients in the ED.
“We have the ability to adapt to the unpredictable environment and work together as one cohesive unit to care for our patients,” she explains.
At UI Hospitals & Clinics, Sargent says she can count on her team members and values the camaraderie they share.
“We pride ourselves on the teamwork within our department,” she says. “We have built great relationships with each other and always feel supported by our leadership. Because of that support, we’re able to provide excellent care for both the type and the number of patients we see each day.”
Offering compassionate care to ED patients
Sargent says nursing was always her calling.
“I always had a desire to help others,” says Sargent. “And I believe nursing is the perfect profession to really do that and have direct contact with patients.”
After graduating from college, Sargent says she thought UI Hospitals & Clinics would be the ideal place to work as a nurse.
“It’s just one of those places you look up to as an employer and as a new graduate,” she says. “I applied to the ED, was offered the job, and knew it was my calling. I felt like UI Hospitals & Clinics was my gold standard. Eight years later, it feels great to be a part of such a supportive team, providing high-quality emergency care to our patients.”
Looking for a job? Consider nursing at UI Health Care.
Learn more about emergency medicine at UI Hospitals & Clinics.