[soldiersgirl]

Hello all,

I wondered if anyone would have some insight on the drastic change coming up in my nursing career. I have been working day shift on a Med/Surg unit for the last 8 months and our hospital is going through some changes (opening up a new hospital which is very exciting). I had to bid on a job as a displaced nurse because I have no senority and all of the Medical jobs were taken. I was eligible for an ER position, day shift, at the new hospital because I will have been a nurse a year by the time my 6 week training program starts in July. I loved the ER in nursing school, but it is totally different when you are the RN in charge. I have much improved on my organizational skills and though the first year has been very hard, I am able to handle a team of 4-5 patients.

Am I ready for ER? I know it can be very intense. Any ER nurses have any advice?

[bill4745]

The ER can go from fairly quiet (don't EVER say the word quiet in the ER!!!) to total chaos in 2 minutes. I made the move 4 years ago after 10 of ICU. I wish I had done it sooner. The ER is never boring, I honestly learn something new or solve a new problem every shift. You are really expected and allowed to think on your own, and not wait for an order for everything. You will learn how to set priorities and also how to change them when things get bad. Be patient. It took me over a year before I felt like I knew what I was doing.

[Sflowerssweeney]

I have only 7 months experience in Med Surg in a large metropolitan hospital and took a job in the ER in a community hospital 4 weeks ago. Oh my gosh, I can't tell you how challenging this is. You definitely are scared to death at first and I can tell you I have dreams about work every single night. But I do feel better about it every week. I know its going to take me quite some time before I feel comfortable with my skills and my speed, priorities, etc. I don't think you're ever really ready for it until you just plunge right in. Good luck to you, you will learn something new or do a new skill every day. I can say it's soooo much more interesting than Med Surg and I'm glad I made the move.

[Dave11]

take all the orientation you can get. the more the better.
if at all possible, stick with one preceptor. bouncing you around from one person to another will only confuse you as everyone does things a bit different.
if anything comes in that you either haven't seen before or only a couple of times, go stick your nose in that room and at the very least watch what is going on.

most importantly, DON"T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. (bold for emphasis).

[KatieBell]

I would say it is not at all too soon. Some ED managers prefer M/S nurses as they often multitask more easily than ICU nurses.
If you have the oppoetunity, go for it. There is only one way to learn if it is right for you!

[whitman]

Hey very cool!! I start next week too after a long time in med. Nerve racking huh? But very exciting. I'm thinking that I will get the shock of my life and feel very nervous to do well but hey one shot at life and how cool is that that we got the jobs. Let me know how you go. Have fun!!