[nurslingIUS]

I noticed that several of you are new grads...I am still in school but I was curious if any of you worked in ED before graduation?
I am currently working there and love it but don't want burn out.

[CMERN]

Started as tech in E.R. in 7/2000--- while in school for R.N. Graduated May-2001/ Passed boards 1st try 7/2001. 1 year under belt now, ACLS certified and TNCC . First year as R.N. was the most exciting, most exhausting year of my life.... Love E.R. have been worn out plenty ...not burnt out yet.From Tech role to R.N. Role is a giant step...in responsibility, in clinical expertise, people skills and knowledge base. Never think because you teched in E.R. you are smarter than you are.....the only way you become a good R.N. is to constantly examine and reexamine your actions. oh almost forgot,.... in our E.R. the techs always get their 30 min. break....as an R.N. you get happy if you get the chance to get 15 minutes.... Its been worth it all so far.

[AZEMS]

WAS A PARAMEDIC FOR 5+ YRS. BEFORE BEING NEW GRAD IN ER.
i RECEIVED NO ORIENTATION AND JUMPED RIGHT IN. IT WAS NOT ROUGH AND NOT RECOMMENDED BUT MY EMS EXPERIENCED CARRIED ME THREW MOST OF THE WILD ER ROUTINE.

NOW I'M THE LONGEST EMPLOYED MEMBER ON MY SHIFT AND PRECEPTOR SAD TO SAY ITS ONLY BEEN 2 YRS SINCE THAT FIRST DAY. ALOT HAS HAPPEN IN THAT TIME BUT THE ONE THING FOR SURE IS I AM VALUED AS A RESPECTED STAFF MEMBER BY MY COLLEGES AND THE GO TO MAN FOR ADVICE, HELP, OR EXPERTISE. I'M CONFIDENT IN MY ROLE AND HAPPY I HAD MY EMS TO FALL BACK ON.

[AZEMS]

don't worry about burn out. your role will change drastically!

you will find that you will feel uneasy and underqulified, but you have an advantage....environment you'll know who to go to, where it is, and how to obtain it, and where to call. these are things all nurse new to a department feel lost about. your experience on the unit will change daily as you fall into your new role. find your mentor on the unit and they will guide you to where you need to go and burn out will be only appear as your RN tasks become old hat.

[TazziRN]

15 years ago I worked in the ER during the last three months of school as a CNA/ER tech. When I graduated one of two open positions for new grads was held for me, and I took it. I lasted there for 11 more years before I finally burned out on the volume and moved to a rural ER. Although the two jobs (CNA and RN) are very different, having spent some time there already made it easier for me to transition to the new role because I already knew how things were set up. Also, the nurses knew I was in school and let me get in the middle of stuff whenever possible to teach me.