New job in ER, but out of practice!

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hi all,

I'm a long time reader but only just joined up today! I'm a Registered Nurse in Australia, and have been for 3 1/2 years.

During my first year out of uni, I did rotations through surgical wards and then a 5 month stint in Coronary Care (with my final couple weeks in ICU). Then, due to family requirements, I took on a job in aged care, followed by community care and have now been in palliative care education for 12 months.

My dream has always been to get back to critical care and the timing is right now. So right that I've been offered a job in ED in a small 40 bed regional hospital, with the local GPs as VMOs.

The reason for my long winded spiel is that I'm terrified and excited and very far out of my depth and was hoping for some advice! It's been 2 1/2 years since I've worked in acute care and I feel like I've forgotten everything, particularly about A&P, and pathophysiology. How do I brush up on my knowledge and skills in the next couple of weeks so I don't look like a kindergartner on my first day?! I have no idea how hospitals work when they don't have doctors on site either?

Thanks for any advice you might have.

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Specializes in ED.

I bet that you find it is like riding a bike. You may feel behind the curve but once you get in there, all that may come back easily for you. I don't know of any books or anything to brush up on except may some assessment books.

I'm sure you will have a good orientation and can ask questions too. At least I hope you do! Be up front with your coach and set some goals together.

Good luck!!!

meredith

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I would get a copy of "Sheehy's Manual of Emergency Care." It's broad yet concise.

To a degree, when you say that you've "forgotten," my first response is, "well, how did you get it in the first place?.... do that."

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