My brain says no but my heart says yes

Specialties Emergency

Published

I am rapidly approaching graduation in November and need to start thinking of what I want to do with my shiny new RN license. Of the clinical experiences I have had, my favorites had been cardiac, CICU and ER. I was fortunate enough to spend 3 days in ER (two at the level 1 trauma center, and one in the pediatric ER)

We are doing preceptorships this quarter and I chose not to list ER as my top choice because I felt I would benefit from floor nursing and get a better grasp of time management for multiple pts, etc. I have been placed on an advanced care Neuro unit, which I think will be a good opportunity for me to accomplish these things. I didn't really expect any of my classmates to get ER (I don't know why) and when two of them did, I found myself very disappointed and annoyed that I didn't leap at that opportunity because deep down, that's my favorite place to be.

While the sheer amount of on-my-toes knowledge required in the ER still boggles my mind, and I know it will take time and practice to improve on that, I LOVE being in the ER. I love the pace, the variety, the close relationship with the other nurses and doctors, the autonomy (once trust has been gained). I am particularly captivated by the trauma aspect and hope someday to be on the trauma team. If I could be an ER nurse, and be good at it, I think I would be very happy.

...but that's the kicker... will I be good at it? I thought at first I'd spend a year or so in ICU first, but I have an opportunity to spend this week there and quite frankly, I don't like it as much as I thought I would. It was just a lot of suctioning, foley-bag emptying, and oral care. It didn't really feel like I accomplished anything. So now I'm rethinking my plan and thinking about trying to get an ER position. I am applying for a new RN internship that would potentially get me a job in the ER with 4-5 months of training, and then a regular orientation after that. But I just don't know if it's the wisest choice to make, even though that's where I am drawn to. I have read in other threads that people sink or swim and it takes certain characteristics to make it... how do I know if I have what it takes?

Sorry this is so long, but this dilemma is driving me crazy!

Specializes in Neuro.
hi,

I am a new grad in the ER and LOVE it, its where I belong!! Is there anyway you could change your selection for your preceptorship?? I had 9 years of EMS experience so that helped me get the ER job. If you cannot change your selection I would recomend applying for an ER tech position there so that you at least have one foot in the door.

Good luck

Sweetooth

No, no way to change my preceptorship at this point. And I'm in an accelerated BSN program so in addition to my preceptorship, I'm also taking 18 credit hours of undergraduate and graduate classes. Working at this point would be pretty impractical, not to mention by the time they hired me, I'd be about ready to graduate and quit.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. :) I think I will try for a spot in the ER internship program. The HR people have told me that if I start in a specialty and find it is clearly not for me, I can always switch to a more generalist track. I will continue to do some research and hopefully make an informed decision soon!

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Specializes in ER/ medical telemetry.
No, no way to change my preceptorship at this point. And I'm in an accelerated BSN program so in addition to my preceptorship, I'm also taking 18 credit hours of undergraduate and graduate classes. Working at this point would be pretty impractical, not to mention by the time they hired me, I'd be about ready to graduate and quit.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. :) I think I will try for a spot in the ER internship program. The HR people have told me that if I start in a specialty and find it is clearly not for me, I can always switch to a more generalist track. I will continue to do some research and hopefully make an informed decision soon!

As a nursing student, still in my first year, I was forced to change departments, from the rehab unit (due to closing) to the ER. It was a hard, transition.

The unit consisted of all RNs and mostly EMT/techs.

I myself was a med/surg. tech.

For one year I was not welcome on the unit.

I was also expected to learn many things on the fly;however I found a few mentors; and along with my willingness to learn, I learned a ton and a half of skills.

When I graduated as an RN, I continued to work the unit. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH!!!

Once I started working, all the skills as a tech combined with new learned skills as nurse BLOSSOMED...

I have so much support now.

I have tons that I have to learn, but it is priceless.

The point I am try to convey is, I never knew I had it in me to work Emergency Care.

I naturally move quick, think quick, and if I need help; it is there when I need it.

I think I'll stay.

I too, was offered if this orientation did not work out, to go off to another unit, but so far nothing of the sorts has made me change my mind.;)

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The hospital I work at used to have new grads being able to apply. they have now decided that nurses need to have at least one year experience on an acute floor before progressing on to either the ER or any critical care units. My guess is then that the majority of the new grads they had hired probably were just not ready for the stressors in these areas.

Spending only 3 days in the ER is not really a that much time...any nursing position is going to take at least 6 months to a year (if not more) to really get an idea of a particular unit. Have you spoken with those two nursing students? Maybe it isn't the best for them either?

Just be patient...it'll work out!

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I'm kind of in the same situation. I have worked for 9 years at a rural hospital where we do a bit of everything. Med/surg, OB, PP, OR, ER. I am moving on to a larger hospital and have taken a job in the ER. It will be a huge jump, I think . . . . I'm a bit nervous. Even with my experience. But I love the ER.

I too don't believe in the "med/surg for one year" idea.

Take the advice of especially critterlover . . .those are all great ideas.

I wish you nothing but the best.

steph

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Specializes in Neuro.
Spending only 3 days in the ER is not really a that much time...any nursing position is going to take at least 6 months to a year (if not more) to really get an idea of a particular unit. Have you spoken with those two nursing students? Maybe it isn't the best for them either?

Just be patient...it'll work out!

Had I had the option of doing more than 3 days, I would have. I was only supposed to have the two days but I BEGGED for another shift and my instructor let me. I have never BEGGED to go to another unit aside from that one.

And the other two haven't started yet, but I will ask them about their experiences when they do. :)

I know it'll work out.. I hate being patient, though. :(

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I must be lucky. We are picking our final clinical rotations this week. There are at least 7 ER spots for our classes to pick from. (I drew number 10 in the lotto so I am just about guaranteed an ER spot.) ;);););)

I spent time this morning "picking brains" of nurses at work. Both said that in effect as a male student that I should go for the ER. The one made an interesting observation to the effect that Men were usually most interested in ER, ICU, and OR. Of the 4 men in my accelerated group I want ER, 2 others want ICU/CCU and the fourth is the one who wants PEDS.

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I must be lucky. We are picking our final clinical rotations this week. There are at least 7 ER spots for our classes to pick from. (I drew number 10 in the lotto so I am just about guaranteed an ER spot.) ;);););)

I spent time this morning "picking brains" of nurses at work. Both said that in effect as a male student that I should go for the ER. The one made an interesting observation to the effect that Men were usually most interested in ER, ICU, and OR. Of the 4 men in my accelereated group I want ER, 2 others want ICU/CCU and the fourth is the one who wants PEDS.

I know someone here on allnurses who loves peds . . . and he is a guy. It is ok to fight the stereotype of "male macho nurse".

steph

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I did not mean for it to sound at all pejorative for him to like Peds. He is one of my closest friends in school and absolutely wonderful with kids. Thanks for pointing out that steroetypes are bad for everyone.

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I did not mean for it to sound at all pejorative for him to like Peds. He is one of my closest friends in school and absolutely wonderful with kids. Thanks for pointing out that steroetypes are bad for everyone.

I shoulda put a winking smilie . . . . I was jesting and didn't think YOU were stereotyping.

I admire nurses who work with kids . . . . and especially NICU nurses.

steph

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