New to ER, help updating my reference library

[sarahlot]

Hi everyone,

I just landed a dream job in the ED as an RN with 4 yrs experience, none of which was in the ER (2 in PCU/cardiac step-down & 2 in case management/wound care). Needless to say I am feeling overwhelmed but motivated to learn what I need to in order to hold my weight and do well. I have a couple of questions for ER nurses out there:

1. I am trying to update my reference library, but no one wants to waste money on redundant or out-of-date info. Can you give me your 2 cents on these titles:

• Emergency & Critical Care Pocket Guide, May 2013 (to keep on me)
  
• Sheehy's Manual of Emergency Care, Feb 2012
  
• Critical Care Emergency Medicine, Oct 2011 (written for PA/NPs, but reviews from ER nurses say it's good for anticipating what will be ordered by the Dr)
  
• AHA Handbook for Emergency Cardiovascular Care (includes ACLS/PALS)
  

2. I went to school when actual books were the reference of choice. I know much is now digital, but I am concerned about getting to the info QUICKLY. I have an iPhone that is easy for medication lookup, but cumbersome for reading reference material/diagrams. Is there a device you would recommend that I could keep on my person? My ER is a great place to have things stolen...

3. If a device is preferred over reference books, would you purchase the books in epub format or is there a better subscription service such as medscape nurse you would use instead?

Thank you all for your time, as we have little free time as it is :)

Sarah

• Emergency & Critical Care Pocket Guide, May 2013 (to keep on me)

I own this... two editions and an Android app... I found it helpful in the beginning but didn't look at it as much as I'd anticipated.

• Sheehy's Manual of Emergency Care, Feb 2012
  

I own this, too... as a hard copy and as a Kindle file... It's really an excellent reference... and if I could have only one, this would be it.

I would also consider Emergency Nursing Procedures by Jean Proehl... it has step-by-step instructions for anything I've ever needed to do... and provides a nice backstop when somebody tries to tell you how they think you should be doing things.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Be sure to repeatedly watch "the princess bride", "pulp fiction" & "the blues brothers" so you can comfortably throw lines back & forth. Extra props if you can do entire scenes from "the holy grail".

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I forgot "Blazing Saddles" & "Young Frankenstein". Also critical knowledge. Sheehy's kinda important too.

"Werewolf?"

"There wolf. There castle"