How will I get into ER Nursing?

Nurse Pickles · Jun 12, 2003

Hi Amber,

This is off-subject but I wanted to hear your opinion on being a nurse since you are a new(er) graduate with some workplace experience....I am still a student but I keep reading and reading about how nurses are so catty with one another, the work environment is awful and you go home emotionally drained. Nobody else's experiences will deter me but I would to know . . .has that been your experience so far? Also, have you found that LPN's or CNA's think of you as "less" experienced since you went through a four year program?

Thanks!

Pickles

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 12, 2003

Would not be hard here in the Pacific Northwest where the shortage in our ER's is so critical they are recruiting from any corner of the world they can.

atownsendrn · Jun 12, 2003

Amber - I would suggest ACLS and PALS. And if you have any ENA classes like the Trauma Nursing Core Cirr (TNCC) and the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC), it would be a great plus for you. The main thing is show an interest and start talking to some of the ER managers in your area. And your right - you won't be bored. I looooooovvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeee it!!!!!!!!!!

Karina212 · Jun 13, 2003

Yogi,

I started in a BUSY ER/Trauma department as a new nurse without med/surg experience and I found it very difficult to keep up with the pace, but everyone is different! (I quit after 7 months)If you do decide to do ER without further experience, why don't you try a smaller non-trauma ER with a reputable orientation program. Trauma, critical care, ACLS, PALS etc., classes should be offered by the hospital. Maybe you can shadow an ER nurse in the meantime before you make any decisions.

By the way, where did you take that personality test that determined if ER was for you? Just curious, still haven't found what's best for me either! Good luck and happy birthday!

Kerri

healingtouchRN · Jun 14, 2003

The ER's are so desperate around here, as long as you have a current ACLS then go for it. They can put you through the other courses (if the managers with allow it....). My manager never found the need to put us all through ENPC or TNCC, in my 7 years in the ER (even as a charge RN) but I teach ACLS, BCLS, PALS, & BTLS. I took NRP once, just in case, & did get to deliver a baby in the hallway. It got me through. I got started in the ER by signing up for extra shifts in an ER, & with my Cardiac background, I asked them to assign me to either triage or the chest pain center. I ended working everywhere in the end, (boy do I hate peds & pelvics!). :chuckle

YOGI_NAMASTE · Jun 16, 2003

Hi :-) Thanks for your responses.

Pickles-each workplace is different and how we deal and perceive other's behavior is up to us. I do experience work stress sometimes coz of the attitude of my collegues, but it's ok. I cope by prayers, doing yoga, cardio exercise, shopping, and surrounding myself with my loved ones after work or when I'm off. I'm the youngest in our unit and so I maintain a very receptive and eager to learn attitude, keep my smiles even under stress and deep breathe. No kidding...this works! You can do it too. Treat our careers as nurses as a spiritual sharing where we share our time and energy graciously. It's not necessary for us to love everything about our jobs (collegues included), but we need to like doing most of it. That's why when you start working as a nurse it's important to have a real life outside work-family, love one, friends...aim for balance in life and that's success.

About having BSN, I still would go for it if I'll do it all over again. Now, am thinking of taking MSN, or becoming a NP or PA. You will have more opportunities having BSN. What matters is how and what you think of having a good & solid education and not what other people think.

Is ER Nursing a demand in travel nursing? Thanks and have a great day.

healingtouchRN · Jun 17, 2003

yup, three of my friends are on the west coast doing well in the ER as travel nurses. They love not having to put up with the politics. & they make good money too.:roll

Scis · Jun 17, 2003

Yogi:

ER nurses are in demand throughout the country. I agree with mandatory certs of BCLS, ACLS, PALS. TNCCP and CEN as soon as you can do it. I assure you, boredom will not be a problem.

Good Luck.

Nurse Pickles · Jun 17, 2003

Yogi,

That was an insightful answer and I loved it! Thank you for sharing your experience with me. You can bet I'll remember that!

Trauma Columnist · Jun 17, 2003

Have been ER RN in level one trauma center for 7 years. Absolutely love it. Talk to a manager and see if you can shadow someone. We love enthusiasm. Good luck.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2003

Being a CPR Instructor makes you really worthwhile to the hospital as a whole. There are never enough. I agree with other posts about ACLS, PALS, etc.