Med surg experience v. ER/Trauma

micro, RN · Mar 5, 2002

Essarge,

great to see you here........no religious amens........(another thread jokey)

I say go for it.........had to do over again(oldie here) would have taken different approach.....

but that is okay.....I just switched to another unit.....pulmonary(oh, oh.....gave myself away now), and lovin it.....quicker pace, much to learn and relearn and you gotta work as a team or it doesn't fly........

do what you love, just ensure that you get good training and time on orientation and with preceptor.........

and don't be bait for anybody.......been bitten on once too many times in this life.......

lol,

micro

massEDgirl · Mar 6, 2002

I have been in the ED for eight years now. Have been a nurse for 13 yrs and always wanted the Ed but never felt quite ready. I did mostly float nursing before the Ed and found that floating to every unit in the hospital helped me to see lots of different areas that I might come in contact with in the ED. Didn't do the ICU's though....didn't like being in the same confined area all the time.

When I finally decided I was ready for the ED, I had some telemetry under my belt and I felt confident enough that I could handle the challenge.

I still love it...the craziness and all.

I know because of the nursing shortage some Ed's are hiring new grads...In my Ed we still require at least 1yr telemerty nursing. My Ed is VERY VERY busy. Level 2 trauma...I think hiring anyone with less experience would possibly setting them up to fail.

Just remember how much you want the ED..it will make it that much better when you get there.

carlarn, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2002

While working in the ER is exciting and well worth it, consider the experienced nurses' feelings before you apply/accept the position. It isn't the easiest thing in the world to work with new grads in a VERY stressful area. I know we have all been new to a unit at one time or another, but often the new grads are put on the off shifts with the least amount of personnel. This is scary for the most experienced nurses who have to depend on the green RN's as backup. I don't say not to go for it, but at least consider the people with whom you will be working.

NYCRN16 · Sep 4, 2002

I know that it is against the law in NY to work in the ER without at least a years experience, but I believe they are trying to change that. In my opinion, I would go straight to the ER only if I was sure that I had very good assessment/patient care skills, had prior patient care experience, or I knew that the orientation would be long and thorough. In the worst case scenerio, if they tell you that they cant hire you right out of school, than work med surg for 6 months and try again. Good luck to you and dont give up on your dream!

tiredernurse · Sep 9, 2002

I have to agree with massEDgirl. I hate to rain on anyone's parade but a busy trauma center is stressful. I think you need to start out with a bit of med/surg experience. It's not that it isn't do-able but our ED has recently hired new grads because of a lack of nurses. Some of these poor girls are just going to burn out too quick. If you do decide to go for it make sure the dept has an excellent preceptor program. It's not fair to a new nurse in a pressure cooker.

JE1RN · Sep 30, 2002

I think you should consider the med-surg. route for at least 6mos. first to hone your assessment/priority skills.were i work we employ new RNs but they have all completed a extern program during the last year of school and a 4 week preceptor program before they grad. to ensure its what they want they actually work with 1 nurse and get college credits for it. then they get a 12 week orientation andeven then they only work med./surg assignments for 6mos. to 1 year. before they get to trauma/critical areas. i know all this seems like alot but our nurse turnover is 9% and we are 12 nurses overstaffed in todays nursing (er) shortage we are the rare breed.not to mention the docs treat us with the respect we deserve asequals.