Stabilize first, diagnose later: Airway, breathing, circulation always come before anything else

The ER is uncertainty-heavy: Work with minimal info and build your differential as you go

Nurse-initiated actions matter: ER nurses can give fluids, aspirin, even epi when life-threatening

Med-surg and ER thinking are different: Known problem vs ruling out the worst first

CTAS is not about sick vs not-sick: Stable vitals ≠ safe; patients can deteriorate fast

Pace & prioritization: You can’t do everything—prioritize immediate threats, then reassess

Team culture saves patients: Ask for help early; no one can manage two crashing patients alone

Resource pressure is real: Offload delays + hallway care = constant need to move patients