Advice ER nurses...please

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okay...so i am going to graduate with my associates in nursing this august and i really want to work in the er it just seems like my niche...but i have felt discouraged by some things i've heard like it is better to work on a med/surg unit before working in the er...that some places will just break you down because you're a new nurse and you don't have any experience under your belt yet....so my question is should i just go for the er position or start out on a med./surg. unit to be safe??? thanks to you all!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Education, Informatics.

Nope, no need to do the Med/Surg thing. If it's ER you want, just go for it. You might want to start checking out the local job market. Talk to some recruiters now. THey usueally limit the number of new grads they hire.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Our new grads get a 6 month orientation. Some don't make it, but its not because they're driven away! ER isn't for everyone, but go for it. Never know till you try.:w00t:

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.
okay...so i am going to graduate with my associates in nursing this august and i really want to work in the er it just seems like my niche...but i have felt discouraged by some things i've heard like it is better to work on a med/surg unit before working in the er...that some places will just break you down because you're a new nurse and you don't have any experience under your belt yet....so my question is should i just go for the er position or start out on a med./surg. unit to be safe??? thanks to you all!!!

med-surg experience is fantastic, but i know that my boss would rather hire an experienced critical care nurse over a nurse with med-surg experience. so if your heart is in the er, you might as well try to get right in after graduation. our new grads have a solid six month orientation, with only one main preceptor. there might be days the preceptee is with another nurse towards the end for one reason or another, but there is a sold orientation.

i think having icu under my belt is what made my transition into the er a smooth one.

blee

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Specializes in ER.

I agree with others. If you want to do ER, try it out. The key is a supportive environment with reasonable expectations for a new graduate.

I remember someone telling me I needed med/surg after graduation to ensure that I learned good time management skills....well, ER gives you a crash course in time management...I honestly cannot think of a better department to learn prioritizing and time management. You also get PLENTY of opportunity to learn and practice various skills and get comfortable with them.

As far as hearing stories about places breaking you down, that is NOT ER specific. It is all about the culture of the hospital and the particular unit.....do your research before you choose.

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Specializes in trauma er.

I say go for it! I have worked in a regional trauma center in tx for 6 years and we recently hired 10 new grads, yes I said "10", now after 6 months there are only 4 left, but those 4 are productive nurses. Understand that the other six worked in what I feel to be the most extreme of conditions so in their defense they really didn't stand a chance. But don't be reluctant, go in fully charged and you will be successful.

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Specializes in ER/ ICU.

I went to ER right out of nursing school some 14 years ago. I have tried CVOR, CVICU, ICU and ended up right back in good old ER. It's a different way of thinking that others just don't get. You can do it with the right attitude. You will be discouraged on a daily basis. You just have to want it bad enough.

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Specializes in ER, tele, vascular.

For what it's worth I did a year med / surg before going over to the ER. For me it was a good decision. See if you can shadow in the ER for a shift or two if you haven't spent any time there.

I love it.

Craig

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Specializes in ER, tele, vascular.

I did a little over a year Med / surg before going to the ER. For me it was a good thing. Try and shadow in the ER you want to go to, see what it's like.

Craig

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if you think you have great time management skills then try the er with out the med surg stint. the reality is that with the large volume of med/surg and icu holds that alomost all ers endure you will eventually get experience in med/surg AND icu without leaving the er environment. you will need to be eager and willing to selfeducate about cardiac care, dealing with doctors etc etc. the micu managers always telle me and my staff that if you can nurse in the er then you can easily do it in the icu. you must know how to suction vent patients and be flexible about a wide variety of patient care and standards. GOOD LUCK

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Im not the OP-but I wanted to thank all of you for your advice! I have always wanted to do ER, I was told go to Tele and get some experience. So I did, my manger would tell me your a tele nurse and wouldnt let me transfer to ER.

Then I applied to a bunch of places couldnt get a job in ED becus I didnt have the background.

anywhere I applied would send me Tele positions! So I work in OR/RR and love it, but feel the need for more. Just feels like theres somethin missin..

I have an interview next week in ER and am hopeful about the position! I just hope I have what it takes to become an

ER nurse

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Good luck to you.... I hope that you land the job.......... If not, then keep trying. It will happen. Keep the faith.:nurse::redbeathe:nurse:

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