excited new grad starting in ER!

shootemrn · Jan 11, 2002

Hi Kim!

I too started as a new grad in the ED. I wish you the best of luck. I was fortunate to have a 6 month preceptorship with a wonderful ER nurse. I worked in the Er as a tech for 4 years while I attended nursing school. When I first became a RN I soon realized how much I didnt know! Take your time when you first start and dont let any docs bully you! It took me about two years to become comfortable working on my own. So dont be too hard on yourself and give yourself time. Good luck Kim and post here with any questions or concerns you may have.

kaycee · Jan 12, 2002

Welcome Kim,

I've been an ER nurse for 20yrs. Worked CCU/ICU before that. Have precepted a few new grads in the ER and they did fine. Just find yourself a good nurse to precept you, who likes to do it and you'll learn alot. If you need any help or have any questions feel free to ask.

Good luck and I think you'll enjoy ER nursing!:)

ERNurse752, RN · Jan 12, 2002

Congratulations :)

I also started in the ER as a new grad...worked 3 1/2 years in CICU/ICU in school, and did a 16 week internship between the ER and cardiovascular recovery after graduation. I went back to the ER after it was over. It's been very stressful, but that's to be expected (sigh.)

Just make sure you get enough orientation time, and don't let them push you into being on your own if you're not ready.

It is very cool, being exposed to so many different situations. Like you said, it's awesome knowing what to do in a crisis situation!

Have fun! :)

EXOTIC NURSE, RN · Jan 22, 2002

I too applied for a position in the ER but I was told that new grads were not to welcome in the ER because they have not worked out in the past. But the manager did take my name and information but I have not heard anything from her as yet. I intend to follow up on the issue to press things to see if I will be allowed to start in the ER as I really enjoyed that part of my clinical rotations in school. I am continuing my education and I think ER nursing will give me a broad view of many things and I have an open mind and eager to learn as much as I can. So only time will tell if there is any hope for me at this particular hospital. I worked for this hospital as a LPN on the Tele unit for 2 years but that seems to not impress the manager either......oh well.....

sgavette · Jan 27, 2002

In my opinion, I feell that you need to have some experience in a med/surg unit before going into a specialty area. I have seen a number of people that went directly into a specialty and then had problems because they didn't learn the basics.

JE1RN · Feb 7, 2002

GOOD LUCK WHEN YOU START I HAVE 6 YEARS IN THE ER WE AVERAGE 90000 PTS/YEAR IN NC I THINK THE BEST ADVICE ANYONE COULD EVER GIVE YOU IS 1) WORK ON A MED-SURG FLOOR FOR 6 MOS THE SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN ARE INVALUABLE

2) ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT EVERYTHING, AND DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP

GOOD LUCK

JIM JE1RN:)

Furball · Feb 7, 2002

Originally posted by JE1RN
GOOD LUCK WHEN YOU START I HAVE 6 YEARS IN THE ER WE AVERAGE 90000 PTS/YEAR IN NC I THINK THE BEST ADVICE ANYONE COULD EVER GIVE YOU IS 1) WORK ON A MED-SURG FLOOR FOR 6 MOS THE SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN ARE INVALUABLE
2) ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT EVERYTHING, AND DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
GOOD LUCK
JIM JE1RN:)

Hello

90,000!! Wow! where the heck are you...Duke? Interviewing there in a week.. Looks like a great place. Take care!

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2002

Howdy Kim

From deep in the heart of texas

We use new grads in the ER here, Its tough adjustment for them, But they seem to make it sooner or later. So hang in there, good luck to you. Remeber the only dumb question is the one you never ask

And keep it in the short grass

Teeituptom

SCOTTRN · Apr 5, 2002

I TOO STARTED IN THE ER RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL, I NOW HAVE ONE YEAR AND COUNTING. WE SEE ABOUT 4000 PTS A MONTH HERE WITH 9 RN'S ON EACH SHIFT SO IT GETS HARD TO HANDLE BUT YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO JUGGLE AND ALWAYS REMEMBER TO ASSESS THE CRITICAL PATIENTS FIRST AND WORK FROM THERE. I TOO HAD 4 YRS EXPERIENCE AS AN ER TECH AND IT HELPED TREMENDOUSLY, BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE ONE OR TWO THAT WILL SAY, "GO TO NED/SURG", WELL MED/SURG IS NOT FOR EVERYONE AND I FEEL I AM STILL LEARNING ALL I NEED TO KNOW IN MY OWN DEPARTMENT, I HAVE FLOATED TO MED/SURG BEFORE AND DONE JUST FINE, IN FACT THEY CAME TO ME FOR ANSWERS... SO DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS RIGHT AND FILE THE OTHER REMARKS IF NEEDED... TAKE CARE AND HAVE FUN!

SCOTTRN!

KKERRN · Apr 5, 2002

Hi Kim,

I started ER after 18 years of nursing various units med-surg and mother/baby to occupation health. I've been there 2 years now and I really like it. I recommend learning your EKG's and ACLS first and every night you will see and learn something new!

If you are willing to learn you will do fine. Remember ER is a team and when your zone is under control see if you can be of help to another nurse- this way when you need help-someone should be there to help you too! Sounds like you will do great!

We have several nurses that started ER as grads and are still there 20 years later.

Good Luck!

Karen/KKERRN

Y2KRN · Apr 6, 2002

Congrats!!

I didn't start in the ED as a new grad, but feel like I did. I love it wouldn't change a thing! I still feel like I don't know what is going on half of the time, but slowly I am seeing hey I have done that, I have seen that, I know what to do for this patient!!

It is great feeling when you helped someone in a crisis. You will learn a lot and never stop learning. Good-luck to you, it sounds like you are off to a great start!!

Y2KRN