I *loved* my ED Rotation

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I was required to do observation in the Peds ED this weekend. It was supposed to be a 4 hour observation only, just to gather data to write a paper.

Well, several staff members were sick and the ED was packed! I ended up having to abandon the hands-off observation and jump in to help. I absolutely LOVED it! I was assessing patients, helping out with any procedures I was allowed to do, hold down kids for IV insertions (I'm a good wrangler :) ) do vitals, etc. The time flew by so fast that by the time I realized I had gone way over the 4 hours, it was nearly 1 AM!

I think I've finally found what niche I want. I can't wait to get more time in the ED again. The nurses were wonderful and the one I was assigned to taught me SO much, even when it was busy. I was glad to help them out and I wish all my clinical nurses could be like them.

They gave me some great resources to look into (ERNA, etc.) and told me to look into ACLS and a slew of other certifications if I really want to pursue ED. They said I fit right in :) That was so nice to hear.

So, I'm now hoping to get hired on in a step-down or telemetry unit after graduation to get my year of experience in before I can get hired on in the ED. I'm still feeling jazzed from my experience. I haven't felt this excited about my clinicals until now. Love, love, loved it!!! :up:

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Yay!! ED is great!!

You may be able to find new grad positions/programs in the ED upon graduation. Keep an eye out! :)

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Specializes in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.

ED was my most fun clinical, also. I always loved seeing so many types of patients in one shift. It never got boring!

Glad you had a great day!

Eta: Peds is best, of course! ;)

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Wow, I hope I have that aha moment when I feel like I really fit somewhere. You may be able to find a job in the ED as a new grad, especially if you apply to a new grad fellowship (some are called internships). I'm so happy for you!

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That's cool.... always nice to find a place of excitement

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

That gives me hope! This particular hospital has an internship program for new RNs. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get accepted into it :)

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Look for ED Tech positions. My ED often hires its techs when they graduate! Even if they don't hire you as a nurse when you graduate, the experience still looks good on a resume.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I hated my ED clinical. 3 years later, Im still in the ER and love every second of it. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Its funny how sometimes things change. Granted, my experience was pretty bad, only 4 patients in 8 hours.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry/ICU Stepdown.

It's quite different when you are actually working there because you are no longer a tourist but you actually have responsibilities. For a new grad ED would be stressful, but people do it successfully, so I guess it's a question of temperament and how you manage stress and do you fumble under pressure or stay composed, clear thinking...

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I did a student externship in the ED over the summer & worked directly with a nurse mentor. It was so much fun & I looked forward to going, even on days when I did 10 foley catheters (true story). Now I work as a tech and HATE it. I don't know why... maybe I just don't like being a tech when I am just 8 months away from being a RN. Regardless, I am glad you liked it! It does have its awesome moments & the skills you pick up are so valuable.

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I enjoyed my ED rotations but they were pretty tame. It was a little community hospital and they just don't get that much stuff, especially in the student hours of 0700-1500. That said, I finished nursing school with no intention of being an ED nurse. At this point, though, it's hard for me to picture myself fitting in very well in any other setting. I'm sure that I *could* do it, but I think I'm particularly suited for the ED environment.

I'd encourage you to do what you're able to get into the ED right out of school, even if it means moving for awhile. The ED can be a tough place to break into from the floors.

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