A Greenhorn Student Here for Your Wisdom

[Ocelot]

I'm sure a repeat question but here goes! I'm finishing my first semester of nursing school and need some advice. I haven't "worked" in a hospital have been doing clinical work during school. I know you guys have heard this from several people but I have my heart set :heartbeat on Emergency nursing. I've had some rotations through areas already and keep getting this idea affirmed over and over. The areas I've been in the, nurses just appear to hate what they are doing and really discourage people from going into nursing.

I know some people that work in emergency care and they LOVE it! No discouragement... I know the "med-surg route" is suggested but my sister-in-law was on that floor in one of the large hospitals near me and frankly she was treated like an animal. I almost came unglued on the nurse taking care of her...and I PROMISE I'm not being a "critical" nursing student. It was an ugly situation.

Advice.... What I would LIKE to do is write to a local hospital and ask for a job as a nursing assistant in the ER. (All they can do is say no.) Explain that I'm a nursing student and I would really like to work in the ER after graduation. I could then work into a nurse extern position when I'm eligible and be training and becoming familiar with the ER. Graduation comes and I'm familiar with my environment and they don't have to worry about me being uncomfortable.... Does this sound COMPLETELY unreasonable with my lack of experience. I'm 43 years old and I'm willing to do what it takes. But I don't want to do too much either.

Any advice will be so appreciated.....please be gentle as well....I'm also a rookie "greenhorn" student.

[meluhn]

Ocelot,

That sounds like a very reasonable plan. Instead of writing to them, why not look for tech positions in the ER on the hospitals web site. Most applications are done completely online.

Once you have your foot in the door they are more likely to hire you if a position is available. However, I have heard of new grads being hired right in to the ER too. Good luck!

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

That sounds like a great plan. I'm all for working as a CNA to give you some solid experience before you launch your nursing career.

I'm with you about med/surg nursing. God bless the good ones, but they're few and far between. My hubby has a chronic illness which gets him hospitalized a few times a year. Usually he goes straight to the CCU. I always dread it when they move him to the floor--I feel like I have to stay with him every minute to keep him safe. One of his specialists asked me how I felt about his recent stay. I told him the CCU was fantastic, but the floor experience was a PITA from the moment he got there--nurses complaining, rooms unclean, stinky halls. The doctor said that had been their experience as well. Sad when the doctors know how bad morale is and nothing is done about it.