What's in a name?

Abstract

With a knowledge of the name comes a more distinct recognition and knowledge of the thing. —Henry David Thoreau What is an emergency room? What is an emergency department? What is an emergency care center? People go to each of the aforementioned places to receive emergency treatment; however, as I see it, each of these terms represents a different facet of that perception. According to Webster's dictionary, the word “room” is defined as “an extent of space occupied by or sufficient or available for something.” When I think of the place called “room,” I think of a limited space surrounded by 4 walls. Now let's play a word association game. When I say “department,” what is the first word that comes into your mind? After 10 years in my last position with the Houston Fire Department, my first thought was “fire.” My colleagues' answers range from “payroll” to “Macy's.” If you look up the word “department” in the dictionary, it is defined as a “functional or territorial division.” Function and territory certainly apply, but they hardly do justice to our practice setting. Now consider the word “center.” When they hear this word, most people think of the middle of a circle; however, the center is also recognized as the “point about which an activity concentrates or from which something originates.” I propose that the emergency care center is now much more than a room or even a department. It is the microcosm of an entire health care institution. It is the center of care, not just an appendage or a part any more. Across the United States, some of our colleagues already have recognized this reality. The Emergency Care Center at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Mass, was named that in 1979. The term “emergency care center” also includes the important concept of caring. What in the currently accepted terminology supports the concept of caring? Nothing, I believe. Nursing is a profession that carries with it an altruistic and human quality, with caring as its central theme; however, the descriptors used in identifying our work environment do not imply that caring occurs when one seeks treatment for an illness or injury. Nursing is about what nursing does best—leading people to health with compassion, intelligence, and competence. Every nurse accepts accountability to provide safe, competent care. In today's health care market, nurses assume daunting responsibilities. However, the principles of nursing—a sense of purpose, contribution, caring, and spirit—can guide us through thick and thin. I ask you, “So, why did you become an emergency nurse?” It is a fair question from someone who has been an emergency nurse for 21 years. Was it the money, the banker's hours, the amount of holiday time off? No, you were called to nursing for one reason and one reason only: to help those in need. You made a commitment not only to the profession, but also to the people whom we serve. I propose that the emergency care center is now much more than a room or even a department. It is the microcosm of an entire health care institution. As we all know, many factors are contributing to the perception that “those nurses just don't care.” It is time that we recapture the human, caring side of emergency nursing. We must rediscover the profound difference that emergency nursing can make in another person's life. Over the years I have been told, “You can't judge a book by its cover or its title.” However, times have changed, and I believe that people do form judgments on the basis of such information. As we talk about the preferred future of emergency nursing, we must reconceptualize our emerging work environment. I pose to you the following question. Where would you rather work: an emergency room, an emergency department, or an emergency care center? Remember, perception is a reality! The Journal of Emergency Nursing gratefully acknowledges the time, effort, expertise, and advice donated by the following reviewers of this issue's content:•Terri Arthur•Evelyn Bain•Sue Barnason•Nancy Bonalumi•Anne Phelan Bowen•Karen Kernan Bryant•Kathleen Carlson•Laura Criddle•Kathy Dolan•Faye Everson•Kay Ferrario•Susan Fitzgerald•Kathleen Flarity-Reed•Iris Frank•Maggi Gunnels•Karen Hayes•Sandy Hickey•Kelly Hubbell•Jill Jones•Mary Kamienski•Karla Kendrick•Mark Laubacher•Marge Letitia•Kay McClain•Patricia Mian•Claudia Niersbach•Lori Ostlund•Janet Gren Parker•Pauline Philie•Barbara Pierce•Jim Richmann•Laura Roepe•Susan Rolniak•Robert Schwab•Deb Smith•Susan Strauss•Paula Tanabe•Donna Thomas•Linda Wagner-Sellers•Suzanne Wall•Polly Gerber Zimmermann