Advice for new grad starting in ER

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So I am set to start at a level 2 trauma ER in August. I have no tech experience because I felt that it was more important for me to spend time studying (I'm the type that has to study a lot) and spend time with my kids. I don't regret my decision to not work, however, I know I'm way behind the other new grads in my class who are starting in the same ER, but have been techs there for the last two years. My question is what can I do for the next month and a half to help prepare? I know reading is not as beneficial as hands on experience but all I can do right now is look at material. I just don't know what I should focus on or where to start. Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Emergency.

Congrats on joining the dark side. Check out the top of the er forum. There are a lot of threads with just the type of info you want.

Don't worry about anybody else, just focus on your own orientation. Good luck and have fun.

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Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
Congrats on joining the dark side. Check out the top of the er forum. There are a lot of threads with just the type of info you want.

Don't worry about anybody else, just focus on your own orientation. Good luck and have fun.

I second this. Recently I wrote a long response to someone just like you, and that response is on the ER forum. I loved ER nursing and smiled at the above label "the dark side." All nursing is challenging, so why not do it in an area you like? A tech role is not the same as the RN role. It will be a huge learning curve for you; we all started somewhere. Open your heart to learning every shift. Best of luck!

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.

Hands on is definitely the best way to learn in the ER, but since that's not an option yet, material/book-wise, Sheehy's Manual of Emergency Care as well as the ACLS and PALS or ENPC texts are a good place to start. If your facility will pay for those certs, then don't take the classes until they offer them/pay for them, but it's never too early to start reading the material so that when you do take the class you're already ready.

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Thanks everyone! I will definitely check the ER forum out. I'm new to Allnurses so thanks for the advice on that. That's a good idea to read the books before taking the courses. Maybe it will make me look less unprepared! And, I'm glad to be joining the dark side.

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