[jjbaby]

I just found out I will be doing my 3 week preceptorship in the ER of my local hospital. I was there for just 3 nights during my clinical rotations, but I was wondering if you have any advice about things I should review before the precepting begins?

I am glad to be assigned there, but want to make sure I am prepared for the rotation too.

We had a lot of great learning experiences during my rotation. There were several unresponsive OD's, lots of chest pain, and lots of dehydration (flu season). Just thought I could get some ideas for what I can expect to use the most.

During clinicals I have done lots of Foley's, lots of IV starts and lots of injections so I feel pretty comfortable with these skills.

I am not real comfortable with placement of EKG leads so I am going to review those any other suggestions??

Thanks JJ

[Rena RN 2003]

observe what's going on. ask questions. don't attempt anything on your own without checking with that patient's nurse.

and have fun. i precepted in ER and LOVED every minute of it.

[Speculating]

Originally posted by jjbaby
I just found out I will be doing my 3 week preceptorship in the ER of my local hospital. I was there for just 3 nights during my clinical rotations, but I was wondering if you have any advice about things I should review before the precepting begins?

I am glad to be assigned there, but want to make sure I am prepared for the rotation too.

We had a lot of great learning experiences during my rotation. There were several unresponsive OD's, lots of chest pain, and lots of dehydration (flu season). Just thought I could get some ideas for what I can expect to use the most.

During clinicals I have done lots of Foley's, lots of IV starts and lots of injections so I feel pretty comfortable with these skills.

I am not real comfortable with placement of EKG leads so I am going to review those any other suggestions??

Thanks JJ

Jjbaby, a lot of what you’re going to need to learn depends on whether this is going to be the beginning of your career or some other area of nursing. I'd spend sometime getting my cardiac rhythms down at least the lethal ones. I'd spend some time on the floor learning their protocols for AMI's, strokes, OD's, minor trauma...Spend about four hours doing everyone’s 12 leads for them. I don't know but if you’re brand new and you feel comfortable with dropping lines all ready then you need to keep practicing those IV's while you still have someone to help you with them. Then just put your nose into every room and help out and learn about everything. ER Drs are generally good about teaching you new things as long as you show interest. Have a Blast

[mercRN]

I have to agree with the other posts. Ask lots of questions not only to the ER docs but to the nurses. Some of the nurses will be more receptive than others. You will figure that out in the first couple of hours probably. Do lots of EKG's. Anyone who comes through our doors with SOB or CP gets a EKG done automatically or anyone who OD's. On the back of our leads for our EKG's it shows you where to put the leads at. Then the actual leads tell you where the lead needs to go. RA, LA, LL, RL, etc. If ED is somewhere you want to work, most ER's have standing orders for different scenerios, like chest pain, fractures, fevers, etc. Get copies of them and study them so you know what the docs want before they see the pt.

[debx]

Be a sponge and soak up all the information you can. No one expects you to walk into an ER and automatically become an ER nurse. Ask questions. Do not do a task if you are unsure of what to do. Have someone show/watch you. Learn it right the first time.
Then jump in and roll up your sleeves. You won't learn anything by standing at the desk. Practice, practice, practice. Do as many EKGs, IVs, foleys, NGs, ect as you can. The more you do, the more comfortable you will feel.

Enjoy the experience!

[jjbaby]

Thanks Everyone for the responses!!!!
This is exactly what I was looking for.

I am very excited to get a chance to experience so many different things, and a little nervous too.

The nurse I will be precepting with is supposed to be a very good ER nurse and everyone tells me I will learn a lot from her.

Luckily I am one to ask a lot of questions and I am definitely a student to jump in and do skills as much as possible. Some of my classmates still have not done many of the skills in the clinical setting. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to do as many as I have.

I am not sure what field of nursing I want to go into, but I really liked ER when I was there for clinicals, so this may help to sway me one way or the other.

Thanks again and keep them coming. JJ

[teeituptom]

Remember to be nice to your preceptor

Bring them coffee and donuts whenever they need them

Buy them gifts

Take them out to Dinner or lunch


Because they are giving you the most valuable gift.

Their wisdom and knowledge derived from years of experience.

[Sam5352]

jjbaby
I agree with all the advise you've been recieving. Soak it up, you can learn so much in those 3 weeks. Look, listen, ask, do. I spent many years (10yrs) in a PCU setting, did a share day in the ER and never went back to PCU ( been an ED nurse now for 7 years). Can't think of ever doing anything else. ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE! no matter how overwhelming it may see.

[Sam5352]

Funny! Did your orientee do all that. I love that advise!

[teeituptom]

Yes she did Sam5352