Nurses Helping Nurses
allnurses Network: Central | Jobs | Books | Newsletter
allnurses: A Nursing Community for Nurses
Home General News Blogs Articles Students Region Specialty Degrees F.A.Q.
Emergency Nursing /

Possibly switching from IMC or a step-down Crit Care unit to ED



Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 385,851 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.

Jun 28, 2009 03:00 PM

Possibly switching from IMC or a step-down Crit Care unit to ED


I am possibly relocating to a new state and I have been a RN for one year on a IMC (Intermediate Care /step-down cricitcal care) unit. I was wondering if that is enough time to switch to the ED. I have always liked the ED and it was my last rotation in nursing school. I feel like I still have a lot to learn, so do I try and switch to the ED now since I will be relocating to a new state, or stick to an IMC floor? I already have my ACLS cert.
Thanks!


Share: Submit Thread to Facebook Submit Thread to Twitter Submit Thread to Technorati Submit Thread to Google Submit Thread to Reddit

Search Tags
None
Top

 
Advertisement
Sponsored Links
 
Reply
5 Comments
No. 1
from PAERRN20
Old Jun 28, 2009, 08:04 PM

Default Re: Possibly switching from IMC or a step-down Crit Care unit to ED
Sure why not? I went into the ED straight from nursing school. You can do it. Many nurses enter the world of emergency nursing before their ink even dries on their license. You will have a bit of an edge since you already have ACLS and step-down experience.
Top

1 Reader Gave Kudos
 
No. 2
from taz628
Old Jun 28, 2009, 09:32 PM

Default Re: Possibly switching from IMC or a step-down Crit Care unit to ED
What you're describing it pretty much what I just did. I spent a bit shy of a year in a step down critical care unit and jumped over to ED a few months ago. My weakest points are vents, some of the drips (mainly only worked with levo, cardene, cardizem, insulin previously), and peds. Oh dear, the kiddos are my worst... *cringes* But it's fun and I'm learning. Good luck with your switch! I've already had to use my "inpatient skills" a few times since some of the other staff have been off the floors for so long.
Top

1 Reader Gave Kudos
 
No. 3
from Medic2RN
Old Jun 30, 2009, 11:23 AM

Default Re: Possibly switching from IMC or a step-down Crit Care unit to ED
Did the same thing also. Go for it!! It may help to add PALS and TNCC to your certifications too.
If that's where you want to be, then keep applying until you hear a YES!
Top
 
No. 4
Old Jun 30, 2009, 09:16 PM

Default Re: Possibly switching from IMC or a step-down Crit Care unit to ED
Originally Posted by taz628 View Post
What you're describing it pretty much what I just did. I spent a bit shy of a year in a step down critical care unit and jumped over to ED a few months ago. My weakest points are vents, some of the drips (mainly only worked with levo, cardene, cardizem, insulin previously), and peds. Oh dear, the kiddos are my worst... *cringes* But it's fun and I'm learning. Good luck with your switch! I've already had to use my "inpatient skills" a few times since some of the other staff have been off the floors for so long.

It's interesting that you talk about the kiddos. . .are you in an area without a major Children's hospital? I'm wondering what would happen to me in that situation if I relocated, what a HUGE disadvantage/fumbling idiot I'd be with kids. . .
Top
 
No. 5
from JessicaSN
Old Jun 30, 2009, 09:56 PM

Default Re: Possibly switching from IMC or a step-down Crit Care unit to ED
It's interesting that you talk about the kiddos. . .are you in an area without a major Children's hospital? I'm wondering what would happen to me in that situation if I relocated, what a HUGE disadvantage/fumbling idiot I'd be with kids. . .
This was directed to someone else but I have some experience with this. My hospital is right in the middle of 2 great children's hospitals (one being Cincinnati Children's) and people still bring in kids for a variety of problems. From sore throat/broken bones to vomiting and diarrhea to kid-not-breathing situations. I probably see 2-3 kids a shift and transfer about 2 kids per month to one of the children's hospitals. Last night I had a suicidal pre-teen with Leukemia. You will see it all in the ER.
Top
 
Reply




Thread Tools


Who's Online
321 members
3,439 guests
3,760

12

Doctors-in-short-supply-responsibilities-for-nurses-may-expa...

8

Less regular sleep for ICU nurses may lead to errors

15

Nurse sends unused medical supplies to needy nations

23

Premature Births Are Fueling Higher Rates of Infant...

6

MRSA Strain Linked to High Death Rates

24

RI hospital fined $150,000 in 5th wrong-site surgery since...

64

Nursing: One of the 6 Thriving Jobs that are Here to Stay???

90

Dad Fights Hospital to Keep Baby on Life Support

12

A nurse can dream...about awesome nursing

17

California Nursing Situation - CINHC's plan to help New...



7

Why am I doing this, anyway?

0

Nurse Heal Thyself

7

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.

15

I made it through

11

An angel's gaze

13

A Sister Never Forgets

16

Ruby's Marbles

29

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?

14

My Little Old Jedi

16

I love this job......

23

"I hear voices"

17

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...

23

Error and Attitude

10

It's Just a Shower

6

Searching for the Purpose





Currently Reading This Page: 1 (0 members & 1 guests)

Interested in the hottest topics of the week? Subscribe to the Nurse-zine Newsletter.
Enter email address: