Advice for a new E.R. registration clerk

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Feb 17, 2009

Stay calm and generous. You can only do what you can do, but the best ward clerks are able to be generous and calm during the most stressful moments. We really depend on you to be our calm in the eye of the hurricane.

When I've filled in as a secretary I've always gone home with a headache, and REALLY appreciating what they deal with in a shift. You'll learn tons, and it's a great resume booster.

CentralTXNurse · Feb 17, 2009

thanks, great advice! I'm definitely calm by nature and get along with pretty much anyone, so hopefully that'll help!

ShiphrahPuah · Feb 18, 2009

I worked in ER registration for 3 years while I was taking prereqs and in nursing school. I think any job in a hospital is great while you are in nursing school because you learn a lot about the environment, and you especially see a lot in the ER. Just stay flexible and pleasant. You will find that a lot of people use the ER as their primary care physician, that a lot of people who go there are on public aid and end up there for minor things since so many doctor's offices won't accept them, and that a small percentage of people really milk the system. However, there are people who are used to being treated like crud because of their situation, and they really appreciate when you treat them with dignity. Since you will see them at the beginning of their visit, you can have the energy to be kind to people. Sometimes some of the crabbiest people can be turned around with kindness (and some others can't, so you have to let that roll off your shoulders). You will learn a ton. It's a great place to be. Depending on how many hours you work, you may qualify for tuition reimbursement. AND, you have your foot in the door at that hospital which may help you get into whatever specialty you want, even if it isn't ER. I went into L&D as a new grad, and I know the fact that I already worked for the hospital and had great references from my manager and my director there really gave me an advantage. Best wishes to you.

CentralTXNurse · Feb 18, 2009

Great advice! Thanks for sharing your experiences.. I was told I'll have my schedule time split each shift, 4 hours in the front registering new patients and the other 4 hours I'll be in the E.R. patient area (not sure what you call this) and I'm not sure at all what I'd be doing back in the area with all the patient rooms.. any idea? The woman who hired me said that 4 hours is about all anyone can handle in the front, so they switch the E.R. registration clerks (I'm assuming 2 on each shift) and let the other work in the front while the other is in the back..

YGPHNM · Feb 18, 2009

I worked as a ER Admitting clerk for over a year and a half and have recently transferred to a unit clerk. In my situation and my opinion you will learn MORE as a unit clerk than taking someone's insurance, verifying it, collecting their copays, and registering them for OP, ER, IP or any other procedure they may be having done. I will say that I learned quite a bit being in the ER; however, if you plan on going into nursing I think a career as a unit clerk will be more beneficial to you. You as an unit clerk will begin to read orders and actually order the procedures on the order sheet.

ShiphrahPuah · Feb 18, 2009

CentralTXNurse -- While you are in the ER patient area, you will proabably have a portable computer and go into patients rooms to get all of their information (address, insurance, contacts, etc.) That is where you will get to see a lot. That's primarily what I did for my job -- sometimes you happen to be in the room at the same time as the docs or nurses while IVs are started, stitches are put in, etc. You get more interaction with the ER staff. My hospital had a separate job position for the person out front. That person only took name, birthdate, and primary complaint (reason person came to the ER). In our hospital, we were not allowed to even ask about insurance until after the person was back in a room, and for a short (but unsuccessful) stint until after the person actually saw the doctor (both situations trying to avoid the whole appearance that people with insurance are treated differently with those without). You don't get to see as much direct action out front, and you have some of the people who have been waiting for hours when it is busy glowering at you, demanding to know how much longer it will be, and acting like it is your control to determine when they go back. However, it's nice to be able to sit for a while since in the back you will be on your feet a lot (if your hospital is similar to mine). I think splitting the shift like your hospital does is a good idea.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Feb 18, 2009

You'll love it, if you can keep your head from spinning around.