[alkaleidi]

I've been in psych and corrections as an RN for 2 solid years. Before that, a year of med-surg-peds as an LPN. I've recently decided to make a total transition and try something I've always wanted to do... work in an emergency department.

I seem to have run into a roadblock as many facilities don't seem to find any value in psych and corrections. I realize they're very different from acute care, but I also know that there are a lot of hospitals that hire new grads directly into ER positions. I would think that I, having 2 years exp as an RN, would be at least AS valuable if not more. Despite my bizarre experience, I've used all my assessment skills, medical and psych, all 3 years (LPN+RN) of my nursing career. I was insanely bored in the med/surg realm and psych/corrections have become equally repetitive and non-challenging. I want something that makes me think and react quickly and provides an every day challenge for me to be a better nurse.

That said, I have been turned down for an ER position despite them having no other applicants due to their wanting to "find a candidate better qualified" for the position I applied for. I have a couple interviews coming up and I would LOVE some advice on how to sell myself. I learn quickly, pick up new concepts with ease. I generally have to do something once or twice and then I can do it on my own proficiently. Those are qualities I've been blessed with. And I have a DESIRE to learn a new specialty -- I really want to get away from psych and back into some real stuff that will keep me on my toes day to day, strengthening and building on my core nursing skills.

So anyone that can help, help please! Any ideas of how I can communicate these things or anything else that would help me land a job in an ED?

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds!

Amanda

[RN4PatientCare]

Have you tried applying for an internship? I know new grads as well as experienced nurses go through internships (esp if an experienced nurse is changing specialties).

Sometimes it's who you know not what you know...

[alkaleidi]

Originally Posted by RN4PatientCare

Have you tried applying for an internship? ... Sometimes it's who you know not what you know...

I have looked at all the hospitals in a 50-mile radius from me and none of them (that I could find on their websites) have internships. And you're right about "who you know" but I'm hoping that my ambition and excitement will overpower that... LOL.

Good news: I have an interview TOMORROW -- I guess I will just do my best to communicate my willingness to learn and emphasize the qualities that I think make me a good candidate. I know I have a short work history but I have kind of a diverse variety of experience and I've never NOT gotten offered a job I've applied for, so being worried and trying this hard is a little new to me...

Thanks for your reply!

-A

[loricatus]

Someone with psych/corrections experience should have very keen assessment skills to differentiate between a medical versus psych condition-it wouldn't hurt to emphasize this on your interview. Rapid, focused assessments are essential in emergency nursing, as is the ability to multi-task, contantly reprioritize and keep what's left of your sanity in what can be an insane environment.

A suggestion for you is to look at the emergency nursing association's website www.ena.org to familarize yourself with some of the issues relevent to the ED. If you fit some of the knowledge gained into your interview, it may show a potential employer that you have a grasp of what you would be getting yourself into. Even better, if you find ways to match your experience/talents to specifics involving emergency nursing. Also, you could join the ENA online and go into the interview saying that you were so committed to becoming an Emergency Nurse that you joined-personally, I did this prior to interviewing for ED positions and it worked for me.

Good Luck to you on your search. Let us know how it goes.

PS I just remebered an interview question where I was later told that my answer is what got me the job offer: "What makes you think that you would be a fit in our ED?" "I have an extremely warped sense of humor that doesn't fit in anywhere else"

[Altra]

If you've thrived in psych & corrections there's no reason you can't succeed in their very close cousin, the ER.

The major new territory for you will be the critical care aspect. Think about how you can best present this during interviews. Show interest and willingness to care for critical patients.

Good luck to you.

[goshin706]

Well, hopefully you won't have to read this without already having that ER job you are interviewing for. But, if you do...maybe getting your EMT, or first responder cert might help. Joining a volunteer fire department, and getting some pre hospital experience would certainly lend well to your resume.

Just a thought....


Again Good Luck,

Me

[bill4745]

Maybe you should consider 6 months of tele or ICU ?

[Robr RN]

ACLS, BTLS, and PALS may also may be helpful in the hunt. Useful even out of the ED. I am a DON and ED manager in a small hospital (5) ED beds. I look for "Jack's/Jill's of all trades" tend to make excellent ED nurses. If you have not tried a smaller facility it maybe worth while. A nurse manager could double their money with Psych/ED nurse. Good luck!

[teeituptom]

go for it, good luck

[alkaleidi]

Thanks to everyone for all the support. I am SO excited! I left the interviews at 11:45am (this morning) and after I had lunch with my little brother, I stopped by an agency I do PRN work for to pick up some time sheets. They told me to quit applying at hospitals where they were trying to get me hours -- jokingly with a laugh and a smile of course -- and said that they got a call just before their lunch break (noon) to give me a reference for the same hospital I interviewed at just that morning. By this afternoon I was called with a job offer.

I am stunned and excited. I guess a lot of passion and determination goes a long way -- all I have left to do now is absorb information and knowledge like a sponge!

Thanks to all of you again for the helpful comments, advice, etc. Much, much appreciated -- I won't be a stranger!