Tips and tricks for new grads in the ED

[jaimealmostRN]

Hey guys, I was just reading an old thread re new grads in the ed....I don't want to debate that, but was just wondering if anyone has any "What ever you do, DONT dos......." or other tips for us soon to be new grads? For instance, from reading the old thread, I know now to monitor hr,bp,rhythm on someone getting a cardizem gtt (duh)! Maybe you've seen a new (or old) grad do something really dumb that could've been prevented...share your knowedge and expirence!

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

You can take ACLS and PALS before you graduate but you will end up taking again as unless your licensed they cant certify you .

[|nexus|]

I heard of a new grad not in ED but once being told pt couldnt swallow PO meds being told to push them thru "the tube". The new grad crushed them and pushed them thru the PICC line instead of the g-tube.

That's horrifying!

[z's playa]

That's horrifying!

Ditto and I'm not even a nurse yet!

[JSB]

You can take ACLS and PALS before you graduate but you will end up taking again as unless your licensed they cant certify you .

I took ACLS before I graduated and was certified. But I do believe that ACLS means a lot more and makes a lot more sense after you have been working a little while and have seen a few codes. The people in my ACLS class who had not yet worked in the hospital (except clinical rotations) really had a hard time.