Do Med Surg / Tele RNs still get hired into ER?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Many ER job ads want RNs with ER experience already, but are there ERs out there that will take nurses with only floor experience?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

I started at a small rural hospital on m/s, after 6 months they started rotating me pretty regularly to the ICU. I hit my one year and a position opened up in the ED and I went for it. Best decision ever! I did love my M/S time and co-workers, I didn't leave because I was unhappy, I felt "restless" and most nights like a hamster on a wheel, going and going without actually getting anywhere lol 5 yrs later I can't see myself leaving the ED anytime soon.

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If ED is short staffed volunteer when they have to pull someone. It is not a good idea for you to take patients. Tell the charge nurse you can do tasks. Foleys ivs ngt tubes EKGs labs fingersticks answer call lights check blood or just stay with that unstable pt and be another set of eyes.

Be helpful to all, ask if they need anything and you will be invited back.

That is exactly how I landed my first ED job. I was on a travel assignment on a transplant-tele floor. The ED was down a nurse so the nursing supervisor came up to send one of the floor nurses. He wouldn't go and none of the other staff wanted to either. I didn't think they would let me but I asked if I could go. A week later the ED manager offered me a permanent position at the end of my contract. Never hurts to ask/volunteer to get to where you really want to be.

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I came to the ER from med/surg. I had only been an RN for 6 months prior as well. I have ICU experience as a tech, but my boss really took a chance on me, I think. I've been in the ER now for almost a year -- the learning curve is a big one, but if you're willing to give yourself the chance, you should. Good luck!

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Specializes in 2.

I have a question...I have been a BSN RN for about 6 years now with a lot of med/surg experience, tele, and step down experience. I am separating from the military soon and I want to go into the ER. Has anyone applied to Memorial Hermann ER internship for experienced nurses wanting to change specialities? i know there are more internships out there, but can anyone give me information on Memorial Hermann? Thanks....Maverickemt

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

We try out nurses from the different departments all the time: ICU, OB, M/S, etc. Whether they are able to keep working in the ED is entirely up that specific nurse. Most can't seem to or want to handle it. In their defense, if they are getting paid the same, why would they want to work harder for the same money?

Whenever the census is low, we always encourage other departments to send nurses over to see how we work. Who knows, they may ask to come back for more.

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Specializes in Emergency.
I have a question...I have been a BSN RN for about 6 years now with a lot of med/surg experience, tele, and step down experience. I am separating from the military soon and I want to go into the ER. Has anyone applied to Memorial Hermann ER internship for experienced nurses wanting to change specialities? i know there are more internships out there, but can anyone give me information on Memorial Hermann? Thanks....Maverickemt

I don't know the job market in your area, but if you were in my area, and had 1/2 way decent references I could hook you up with an ER job in a heartbeat, ok, HR would be involved so make that 1.5 heartbeats NSR to be exact! Of course I live in a rural area of NM, not alot of experienced RNs wanting to move here.... Your mileage may vary.... Whatever other cliches apply.

I would guess that even if your area is saturated with experienced RNs, there might be community hospitals nearby that are more than willing to train you as an ER RN, once you have a little experience there, you could easily transfer to a bigger, better, fancy facility if that was your druthers.

BTW, thanks for serving and good luck!

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Specializes in 2.

For me everything does not revolve around money. I want to do what I think I would e good at and then if the money follows then so be it....

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Specializes in 2.

Where do you work in New Mexico?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I was hired in the float pool of a small community hospital and initially I was trained to float between the two Med/Surg. units I was told that I could eventually train for the ICU. I didn't really have a interest in the ICU but I was interested in the ED. I spoke to my boss and let him know I wanted to cross-train in the ED and the ED manager said yes. A temp. position in the ED came up and I signed up for it, once the position was done I was offered a full time position and I took it. I have always been a psych. nurse and ultimately I went back to psych. nursing but I really valued my time in the ED.

!Chris :specs:

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Specializes in 2.
shoot, we're so short we're hiring new grads.... be glad to get some medsurg nurses

Where do you work? I might be interested in applying!

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