Does anyone like ER to start?

Nurses New Nurse

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I just graduated in December and started orientation at my hospital this week. I have 200 hours of class and 600 hours with a preceptor. I also have a mentor ( from another unit) and 8 support group meetings. Pretty comprehensive new grad program. But I start in the ER..................and I am nervous:uhoh21: . During my rotations in school this was the rotation where my personality fit in better and I was like "Oh Yeah". Well I have read many posts that have said starting out in the ER was awful. Is there anyone out there that stuck it out their first year in the ER or maybe even liked it? Thanks for any feed back. Also advice would be nice.

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CCU).

I think it's great that you're starting in the E.D.! If that's where you want to be why not? I graduated in May 05 and worked E.D. during nursing school I worked as an E.D. Tech and LPN so I had some experience...but if you have a strong orientation and mentor you should do fine!

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It depends 100% on your comfort zone, nothing else. Some feel very comfortabel with it, and others do not.

Best of luck to you.................

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I graduated last June and started in the ER as a new grad. It's been rocky at times, but I've come to know that I defintely made the right decision. A comprehensive & supportive orientation is probably the key - mine was 4 months, including classroom time.

Best of luck to you! :)

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Being nervous as a new grad in any specialty is very normal. I started as a new grad 2 months ago in the ED. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if I'm experiencing a temporary rough time or really dont care for it.

I agree that comfort level is a big factor. You have to be assertive and enthusiastic and MAINTAIN those traits even when you are being slammed on a busy day. Learning or reinforcing basic nursing skills in such a fast paced environment is definitely a challenge (not to mention learning how the ER works--paperwork, pyxis, computers, etc.).

No matter who your preceptor is, there is definitely no "hand-holding". For instance, I did my first blood draw/IV start the other day. I thought my preceptor would want to see me do the next one. Nope. Go in and do it. It's my 5th day on the floor and I already have 2 patients from beginning to end.

I would not discourage anyone from starting in the ED, though. A friend of mine is having a tough time in Med-Surg (caring for 6-8 patients). I think being a new grad is challenging no matter where you start.

You'll do great.

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