[TaraER-RN]

I have been an ER nurse now for almost 7 years...all of it being in the ER (I started as a new grad there). I have trained multiple new grads into our department, and truthfully in my experience it has been easier to train a new grad than a person who transfered from another area of nursing. New grads you seem to be able to mold, whereas those that come from other areas sometimes are stuck with old habits that are detrimental in the ER. That being said, that is just my experience. I know that it depends on the person...if you are energetic, feel you can multi-task/prioritize and have a good memory than the ED is for you and you should hopefully not have any problem...but if you need to build your skills and can't multi-task easily then you may want to build your skills/medication knowledge etc in another area. It really does all depend on the person...good luck!

[Dave11]

Having just recently finishing precepting a new grad to the ER, I know it can be done. lol
The facility must be willing to take the time to get you up to speed. I was with my new grad for the better part of a year and I am happy/proud/relieved to say they are doing great.
Talk with some of the nurses in your ER and see if they think there is a good, or any, new grad program in place. They will be more than happy to let you know if they think it is lousy. If there is one thing nurses are not short of, its opinions.

[ozinurse]

I would always recommend experience outside of emergency, for two main reasons. It gives you a greater appreciation of how the organisation works in its entirity, without the blinkered perception, that your department is the only one that exists or matters.

Secondly, the skills attained from working in other areas is irreplacable. Emergency being so diverse, it makes it difficult to attain specific knowledge of any one area of clinical practice. I have known nurses with several years (emergency) experience, not knowing how to accurately assess someones neurovascular status when they have a fracture.

If you want to know how to be an expert at ECG's, work in cardiology for a while. If you want to be an expert an chest xrays and non invasive ventilation, work in respiratory. Secondments to other areas whilst working in emergency are also beneficial, especially as you realise your deficits. A stint in paediatrics (unles you work in a paed specific ER) can greatly improve your kid handling skills. A stint in Psych always goes a long way.

Remember. Nothing is ever permanent and the opportunities are vast. Even if you don't particularly like an area, there is always something to learn. (if you have the right frame of mind).

I appreciate that the systems are different between Australia and the US are different, but I am sure that you can extrapolate some of the principles.

[ozinurse]

I would always recommend experience outside of emergency, for two main reasons. It gives you a greater appreciation of how the organisation works in its entirity, without the blinkered perception, that your department is the only one that exists or matters.

Secondly, the skills attained from working in other areas is irreplacable. Emergency being so diverse, it makes it difficult to attain specific knowledge of any one area of clinical practice. I have known nurses with several years (emergency) experience, not knowing how to accurately assess someones neurovascular status when they have a fracture.

If you want to know how to be an expert at ECG's, work in cardiology for a while. If you want to be an expert an chest xrays and non invasive ventilation, work in respiratory. Secondments to other areas whilst working in emergency are also beneficial, especially as you realise your deficits. A stint in paediatrics (unles you work in a paed specific ER) can greatly improve your kid handling skills. A stint in Psych always goes a long way.

Remember. Nothing is ever permanent and the opportunities are vast. Even if you don't particularly like an area, there is always something to learn. (if you have the right frame of mind).

I appreciate that the systems are different between Australia and the US are different, but I am sure that you can extrapolate some of the principles.