A question from a Senior BSN student

[caringismyjob]

Hello!

I just got the exciting news that I will have my preceptor at the level 2 trauma ED (urban, public hospital) here in the Bay Area. This was unexpected as I asked for Critical care, but I can not turn down this amazing opportunity at a Hospital I love, though now I am feeling apprehensive as well as thrilled. I have shadowed two day shifts in this ER during my med/surg rotation and currently work with the low-income communities this ED serves. I currently work in dual diagnosis acute diversion and volunteer in homeless street outreach.

I am hoping nurses experienced in the ED can tell me: what have you observed in "good" students in your department? What do you look for in a student nurse you will be teaching? I feel like I need to brush up on my labs and assessment skills, but are there any skills you expect a Senior nursing student to walk onto your floor with? I come with a humble attitude, acute attention to safety, ability to manage high stress and enthusiasm to learn... are there any other personality attributes that are key?

I appreciate any feedback, stories, advice, etc that you professional nurses can offer. I hope this is an appropriate place to post, if not, mods feel free to move it.

I am absolutely over-joyed to work in this field.

Thank you all in advance,

a humble nursing student.

[BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Congrats!!! This will be an exciting scary time for you!! The ED is a fast paced ever changing chaotic place that can be really rough for a new grad, but it is doable. Keep that humble attitude it will serve you well. Watch and listen, remember that as a nurse yes it is your job to wipe butts and empty bedpans. In the ED almost everyone will need IV's, labs, to be placed on the monitor, BP cuff, SPO2 etc. While you're doing that you watch and listen. All those "boring" jobs have to be done, and while you are doing them you can assess your pt, listen to your preceptor, listen to your doc, and absorb what is going on around you. I encourage the new grads I precept to "think out loud", tell me what you're thinking, why you're doing what you're doing, what you're going to do first and what can wait. It is a process and it will take time. You will be frustrated and feel like you learned nothing in nursing school,...but it will eventually all come together!! Best of luck to you!