[hcmanp]

Hi, I have a question for you all. I have been offered a position as an NP in an ER, and I have limited experience (did a preceptorship in an urgent care, and later worked 2 years as the one people saw in an office practice if they called and wanted a same-day appointment for assorted ills)

I am not sure what to expect as an NP in Level 2 - quite different from urgent care, I am sure!

I read several other threads, and those posters seem to love their ER jobs despite it all. Any insight you have would be appreciated. I am interested in the good, the bad and the ugly. Thanks everyone.

[traumaRUs]

What a cool opportunity! A level 2 will be lots of fun. With the exception of major trauma and/or pediatric trauma. That should be a cool job! Darn it - I gotta get some of these positions in central IL. Have fun.

[hcmanp]

mmm, even better, no peds and no major trauma...what thoughts now?

[traumaRUs]

The Emergency Nurses Association (www.ena.org) has a lot of info for APNs in the ER and urgent care facilities. Perhaps that would point you in a better direction? Also - what type of patients will you be expected to see: lacs, minor complaints, assist with major cases? Will you be in the Fast Track or main ER?

[hcmanp]

they don't have a "fast track" per se, but I got the impression that I would take care of mostly that type of case. Some lacs (I have the ethicon kit, but never did the class on sutures) but the manager said they do staples, dermabond and gut closures. The NP and docs do all the stuff that's billable to increase the bottom line, like put on temp casts, aces etc.
Although, if things are slow for me I can help in anyway with the higher acuity, and maybe increase my knowledge base. It's a Catholic hospital, and they really seemed very nice. I think she would have said "great" if I had accepted the position (it's full time) that minute, which worries me.
Another concern is they apparently had an NP in the past, but when the budget got tight, she was out the door.