New Grad ER Nurse. In need of advice.

Aaron300RN, BSN · May 2, 2015

Jenna,

Thats a good question. I started out as an ER nurse 5 years ago and it was pretty rough! I remember that I got so stressed during my internship that I came down with shingles. I'm glad that I stuck with it because now I love it.

I precept many new nurses in our high accuity, high volume ER and focus a lot of time working on stress management. I really dont think there could be a much more stressful place to work as a nurse.

The first thing to keep in mind is just because it is chaotic around you, doesnt mean you have to let it get to you. You have to be the calm "eye of the huricane," as corny as that sounds. The key to this is to stay orginized. Find a system that works for you. Look at the nurses around you and see what works for them. Try out different systems during your internship and find what works.

Also, dont work too much the first year. Do your 3 shifts and call it a week. It will be tempting to pick up shifts to "make dat money," but it's better to take it easy the first year. Your absolutly right about staying active. I'm real big into competative sports, helps burn off the frustration.

Keep in mind that you cant change people, they have to change themselves. Your going to meet some rediculus people in our line of work. Try not to take it personal, stay calm, just do the best you can and go home when your shift is up. Try not to take this stuff home with you, but sometimes its hard.

The bigest thing is dont be hard on yourself. You are not going to be good at this job for at least a year. No one is. I takes a long time to get good at it. There is no perfect nurse, you will make mistakes, you will fall behind. We all do. The important thing is that your not afraid to ask questions. I've been doing this for 5 years and I still ask quetions. I'll be asking questions when I'm 20 years in. Double and triple check meds. Dont get too rushed, thats when mistakes happen.

Lastly, Enjoy it!! Have fun! Lough!

Aaron

purple44444 · May 3, 2015

Agreed--pace yourself until you see how much work you can handle in a week. Be eager to learn, and always ask questions. I started in the ED as a new grad and the first year was definitely the worst! Ups and downs, with more downs at first. But then after the first year or so you start to have more confidence. Stick with it and give it a whole year before you think about giving up! Good luck!

jarielle22 · May 4, 2015

Jenna,
Thats a good question. I started out as an ER nurse 5 years ago and it was pretty rough! I remember that I got so stressed during my internship that I came down with shingles. I'm glad that I stuck with it because now I love it.
I precept many new nurses in our high accuity, high volume ER and focus a lot of time working on stress management. I really dont think there could be a much more stressful place to work as a nurse.
The first thing to keep in mind is just because it is chaotic around you, doesnt mean you have to let it get to you. You have to be the calm "eye of the huricane," as corny as that sounds. The key to this is to stay orginized. Find a system that works for you. Look at the nurses around you and see what works for them. Try out different systems during your internship and find what works.
Also, dont work too much the first year. Do your 3 shifts and call it a week. It will be tempting to pick up shifts to "make dat money," but it's better to take it easy the first year. Your absolutly right about staying active. I'm real big into competative sports, helps burn off the frustration.
Keep in mind that you cant change people, they have to change themselves. Your going to meet some rediculus people in our line of work. Try not to take it personal, stay calm, just do the best you can and go home when your shift is up. Try not to take this stuff home with you, but sometimes its hard.
The bigest thing is dont be hard on yourself. You are not going to be good at this job for at least a year. No one is. I takes a long time to get good at it. There is no perfect nurse, you will make mistakes, you will fall behind. We all do. The important thing is that your not afraid to ask questions. I've been doing this for 5 years and I still ask quetions. I'll be asking questions when I'm 20 years in. Double and triple check meds. Dont get too rushed, thats when mistakes happen.
Lastly, Enjoy it!! Have fun! Lough!
Aaron

Thank you so much! I will make sure to keep all of this in mind

alm3RN · May 4, 2015

Hi Jenna!

Congratulations on your new job! I, too, am a new nurse and started out in the Emergency Department. I have been working in my hospital since October, and I will not lie to you, it was VERY hard on me at first.

I am typically extremely hard on myself and a tad bit of a perfectionist, this would usually make me feel like I didn't do "as good as I could have" by the end of the shift. I am still learning to leave work at work and give myself a pat on the back at the end of the day for doing the best job I could.

Make sure you have a life outside of work, for the first few months after orientation, I was a stressed/anxious/depressed mess. All I could think about was work and the stresses that come with it. I had stopped exercising, hanging out with my friends and family, and was just in a general funk. Don't let this happen to you! Exercise is an AMAZING de-stresser. Eating healthy will give you the energy you need to make it through the shifts. Understand that this is the hardest transition you will go through and that no matter what, time will continue to move on and you will continue to get accustomed to the flow of your unit and even get excited about work! (I never thought I would be excited about work when I first started!)

Teamwork is a HUGE aspect of Emergency Nursing. Help your coworkers when you can, they will return the favor if you fall behind or need assistance. ALWAYS keep this mentality! Be friendly with EVERYONE on the unit; doctors, housekeeping, radiologists, techs; NO ONE is better than anyone and you can learn from everyone!

As previous posters have said, NO ONE IS PERFECT. Every day is a learning experience and you should definitely learn to greet these experiences with open arms and don't allow yourself to feel as though you "should already know that". Nursing school is a completely different world.

If I have a lot to do on certain patients, I will "print screen" the orders and grab EVERYTHING before I go into the room. Saves so much time! Triple check everything, document as best as you can, keep a little notebook for notes and times if you don't think you will have the time to document on the computer, this has saved me many times. Check your pockets before you leave, make sure you have wasted all your meds before you go home!

As you get more used to your unit, you will find your own way of doing things, and that is great. Whatever works best for you is what you need to follow! I wish you the BEST of luck and welcome you to the wonderful world of Emergency nursing! You will love it :)

jarielle22 · May 5, 2015

Thank you so much! Your advice truly inspires me and I am entirely appreciative of you taking the time to respond! I will definitely follow this advice! Thank you again!

pearlypearl · May 9, 2015

Congratulations Jenna! May I ask what school you went to and what hospital you will be working at? I'm finishing up my 1st year of nursing school and would like to go into ED so I'm hoping to be as lucky as you when the time comes!

jarielle22 · May 10, 2015

I rather not say the hospital but I graduate from Grand Canyon university

crashcartqueen, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2015

So, how has it been? í ½í¸€

jarielle22 · Jul 30, 2015

So, how has it been? Ã*Â½ÃÂ¸Â€

So far so good! I love it!