Advice needed

Specialties Emergency

Published

I work on a med-surg unit of a small hospital. We have low-census a lot and get called off a lot. I have been debating applying for an ER position that is open. I would love to work in the ER for a change and to decrease the call off time. I am the only one working in my family trying to support 2 kids its hard to budget money when I get called off once a week. I am hesitant about the ER position because I am a fairly new new. When I was hired for the position I have now, I was a new grad, my preceptor worked with me 1:1 for about 2 weeks then she sat at the nurses station and I had to find her to ask questions that went on for about 3 weeks then I was on my own. I don't feel that I learned a lot during orientation. I am able to ask questions now and for the most part get good, helpful answers; however, I am not confident in my knowledge/skills at all. I'm not that good at IV's because really there isn't much opportunity on the floor. All of the patients have IV's when they come--normally 2 so if one goes back there is always another one and we don't have to change them for 4 days. I feel like I'm not ready for an ER position but I don't feel like I'm learning anything new after being on the floor 1-1/2 years. I mean, yes there is new stuff to learn however since I'm only there 2 days a week the opportunity isn't there often and most days are the same ole same ole.

Should I apply for the ER position and pray I am oriented thoroughly if I get it? I'm not quite sure what to do.

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Specializes in Emergent pre-hospital care as a medic.

Me? I'd do it. You'll learn more in the ER and should be able to rely on hours. The ER isn't like med surg where it's reliant on census. You never know in the ER.

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Specializes in Emergency, Med/Surg, Vascular Access.

Do it! Just ask lots of questions and you'll be fine!

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

I agree, sounds like you are ready for the challenge!

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As a new grad that was hired in the ER, i was confident that i could do it, and i knew i would love it. I didn't have the IV skills as well, and a month in with missing a lot of I.Vs, trying and such, I now can say that I can put an I.V. in comfortably. I'm not a pro by any means but i can have 4 patients and not worry about who's going to put an I.V. in unless i missed 3 times. It will take some time, about a month or so, but you'll do it. practice makes perfect...

challenge yourself, you'll love it.

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Specializes in Emergency, Pre-Op, PACU, OR.

Starting IVs is just a matter of practice, and you will get plenty practice in the ED, so don't let that hold you back from applying ;)

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Thanks everyone. I talked to my manager today and told her I wanted to orient up there some to get hours if possible. She jokingly said she didn't want me to because she knew I would love it and she would lose me but said she knew I needed my hours since I'm the only one working at my house. I should orient up there some next week. If I like it after a couple weeks I will apply if the position is still open, if not I'll take it as a sign and keep orienting there for now.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

In the meantime, if you are wanting experience with IV's, put the message out with your colleagues that you want to get some practice, and if anyone has an IV to change, to let you know! If you have supportive colleagues, they should help you out. Oh, and DON'T tell your patients that you don't have much experience or anything like that:lol2:, not only will you freak them out, but if they get scared and tense, it will hurt them more when you stick them, and the veins will be harder to find. Its almost like they have a mind of their own, those veins. They run away/hide when scared.

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when i first grad..i work in Gyne+Obs ward..seem a lot of delivery and babies :but i'm not into it:i apply for ER.after two month i've been transferred to ER.At first,there's a lot of things i don't know:even how to put an iv:i start with taking blood everyday..instead of colleagues,there's a good doctor always giving me chance to do an iv for 1st try..and if i failed,he will do it for 2nd..days goes on...and now,i can put IV easily and did not worry bout it anymore..but of course there will be a 'bad' day for me----which i can't put an IV with only 'one go'.... :p

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Thanks everyone. Unfortunately I work in a 18 bed med-surg so even if I did every IV on the floor it wouldn't be many. The ER position at my hospital has already been filled--even though the posting is still up. However, I've been offered a job at a Level 1 trauma ER about 45 minutes north of my hospital. Both hospitals are owned by the same people so my benefits will all be the same. I'm going to do an observation shift there before I make a decision.

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