Moving to a new ED soon, questions

Specialties Emergency

Published

I'm moving from a small community hospital (like less than 100 inpatient beds) to a level 1 Trauma center/University Hospital. I'm wondering what kind of differences will I see and expect. I've only been an ED nurse for about 6 months and before that I was in tele for 18 months. Also, would it be advisable to take the TNCC or the CEN first? Thanks!

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Example of what to expect in a level 1 trauma center-

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Example of what to expect in a level 1 trauma center-

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I don't see a single abdominal pain patient at all! This is must be some kind of fantasy land.
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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

I made a similar move 3 years ago, I went from a 10 bed rural ER with mixed population to a 28 bed level 1 peds trauma. I see VERY few "fresh" traumas, most are recycled, it's the chronic kids that I've learned the most from, I still have to look up a lot of disorders and diseases on up to date. The one thing I wished I known? That most pediatric cancers are diagnosed in the ER. Not sure about the statistics of adult cancers being diagnosed in the ER (my hubby was one recently and while that news not fun to receive period, the tiny ER rooms get a WHOLE lot smaller!!) our adult counterparts carry the same certifications, ACLS, PALS, TNCC and ENPC, I also have my CPEN, contemplating CEN but not sure I ever want to leave the land of little people (the fact that the nurse to patient ratio is 1:3 99% of the time is a huge factor) Good luck in your move!

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

LOL... but you do see a right toe injury, that is more like it!

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Specializes in ER.

Where are the toothaches and rashes? What kind of ER is this??? :roflmao:

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

Don't forget the abdominal pain for years as they chow down on flaming cheetos and mountain dew

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I excluded the lower acuities to show what types of traumas a Level 1 may throw at you.

We get plenty of the normal BS in our ER. Lol. Pretty much 24/7

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

TNCC first, it would actually help you study for the CEN.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Where are the toothaches and rashes? What kind of ER is this??? :roflmao:
They probably have a urgent care fast track on site. I know mine did.
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