Adjustment to ED nursing from med/surg?

mysticalwaters1 · Apr 8, 2006

Hey I'm doing the same. I've been on medical surgical floor for 3 years and curious to hear how it is to adjust to ER. Seems very interesting although I know it gets intense. I do get frazzled under stress and get information overload at times but hoping as I learn from other nurses how to better cope with this to get the job done without burning myself out or hurting anyone. I already have ACLS and dysrhythmia course. I am going to take a critical care course since I have no telemetry or ICU background. I will probably get PALS soon too.

nursepenny · Apr 8, 2006

I made the transition from SDU/ICU in Sept. 2005, and I do not regret it for one minute. I have learned so much, even though I have 5 yrs. Med/Surg and 4 1/2 yrs. SDU/ICU.

The main thing for me was getting into the ER mode instead of SDU/ICU mode. Plus I had never worked with children before. Believe me they are not tiny adults. But now I like working with children.

Good luck to you as you discover a whole different world in the ER. It is exciting and can be very rewarding..............

grinnurse, RN · Apr 8, 2006

Wow-what a timely post for me as well. I began orienting to the ER this past Wednesday. I also did my last clinical rotatation through ER in NS and ended up loving it but took a Med/Surg job to get more proficient in IV starts and things like that but now find I feel that I am ready to make the move. I think the hardest thing for me to adjust to will be getting quick at getting IVs going. Good luck to everyone on making the transition.

RunnerRN, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2006

Just a late thought.....

I had 2 big difficulties in the ER. One was the very fast pace. There is often not time to second guess or look for a better vein or get someone to help. A lot falls on your shoulders. Second is the variety you see. You could have a patient with CP, one with a HA, one abdominal pain, one MVC, and a trauma coming in 2 minutes. It can be difficult to switch gears from cardiac to neuro to trauma.

Enjoy the transition and ask lots of questions. The ER is a very fun and challenging place.

JMBM · Apr 12, 2006

Obviously, the pace is tough, but there are lots of floor jobs that keep you moving just as fast. You can only do one thing at a time (well, maybe 2), you can only go so fast safely, and worrying about it won't grow you another set of hands. The toughest thing I found was getting used to prioritizing in a situation that can (and usually does) radically change from minute-to-minute. "Going with the flow" is a survival skill down there. Control freaks need not apply. If you go in with a mind open to learn new skills and new ways to practice old ones, along with the ability to "take a deep breath" once in a while, you'll do great.

mistyz23 · Apr 13, 2006

Though I'm not a nurse, this post pretty much describes what I am going through. Good luck with your transition! Please update later with what your actual difficulties were.

allnurses Guide · Apr 13, 2006

The biggest change I found was the spontinaeity. On MS, I could map out my evening, knew where my dressing changes were, meds etc. In ER you never know what will happen in the next hour, let alone through the shift. One of the things I like about it!

I had a lot of years in MS before transferring to ED, the senior to newbie business is very real. Just be willing to let yourself be the newbie instead of expecting too much from yourself right away. You'll catch on faster than a new grad, but it still takes time. I remember the first time I did something on my own as far as getting people moved around, arrangments made in anticipation of the trauma coming in, basically taking charge of a situation, and the look of surprised respect on the doc's face when she realized it was me and not my preceptor. Haven't looked back since. Welcome