ahhhh, what a day, what a day!

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Specializes in Float pool for 14 months.

Today started my 3rd wk of orientation at my second RN job. The ER where I work is just plain insane, but I'm slowly making headway. Today started off with 3 traumas within an hour and a half span. Then ems brings in a copd exac, they claim she was sating 96 %, uhhhh impossible bc within 5 min she was being intutabeted. Since I'm new to this environment, I like to observe/ help when I can. I decide I will put the foley in the intubated lady. I knew I had it in bc urine came out as I advanced the cath, but it was scant. So the nurse I was helping told me I did it wrong and told me to start again! Then a s/p arrest from the field came in, so I ran to that. Another rn went to put the foley in on that lady, ps he had the same outcome as me. I felt like just bc I'm new the nurse assumed I didn't get the foley in. Uhhhh I may have only 15 months experience, but I do kno how to put a foley in. That is just about the easiest thing to do! Anyhow, even though I still have zero confidence in this boomin ER, I finally felt semi ok today. I got the line in during the trauma, drew the labs. I had a proud moment. Believe me, half the time I think ppl there think I'm a spazz. A lot of rns where hired for the ed bc it expanded, and quite a few haven't made it, which scares me to death bc I gave up a job where I made a lot more money to gain invaluable experience. I feel like right before probation is over I'm gonna get the ax, which is happening frequently. Yes I have trouble with ivs some days, and I don't know what to do or how to set up for every note that ems calls in, but I'm getting there I think. I was told once what to set up for a stemi code, and now will never ever forget. I just would like to know from all you ER nurses out there how long it took you to feel semi ok with all the chaos. I haven't even really been to the other areas of our ER yet. I've mostly been in trauma, except for two days in the main ed and one in triage. I haven't even been to peds or ucc yet! Arggggggggh. Someone out there must have some advice. Thanks in advance!!!!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

i think it is insane that they are putting you on the traumas and triage first!!! i think they should start you on the medical beds or rapid beds first then properly train you on traumas. however, i read your entire post and it seems to me that this er sets people up to fail. i do not understand the reason why! it is expensive to hire and let people go!!!

on the other hand, you wrote that the other nurses think you are a “spazz”. does this also mean that the other nurses (especially the popular click) do not like you??? is this actually a case of bullying??? if so, from what i am reading i agree with you, that you will probably be fired soon.

your employers will use the voices of the other nurses who will note minor mistakes and your human inability to learn the trauma beds quickly as an excuse even though you should not have been anywhere near the trauma beds given your background. if i were in your shoes and i really wanted to continue to work in this environment, i would insist on being moved off the trauma beds for now. after six months of ed experience and a real orientation, i would then request to be oriented on the trauma beds. gl!

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Specializes in Float pool for 14 months.

In two weeks I am getting moved to nights to finish out my orientation. Yesterday again I was in trauma and again another hectic day. I love what I do, but I am definately going to ask to extend my orientation. Our(my preceptor and I) first pt came in with only a BP that you could only palp, she made it. Then another man came in who crashed on the ambulance and came in in arrest, my arms are still jello from compressions, but he made it too, then they started to ice him down and brought him to the unit. The dr leading that, told the charge rn that had it not been for us the man wouldn't have survived. He complimented all the nurses in the room. Then another pt had to be intubated, which I knew was going to happen bc all day he seemed to get worse and worse. His daughters were so greatful to us, but I felt bad. He had pneumonia. I am determined to make it, and think I will. Noone bullies me. I do see how some ppl are set up to fail. It is a hard environment to learn in, esp when I'm mostly in trauma and crit. I appreciate all your advice. I have to get my confidence up bc if anything that is what will do me in.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
I appreciate all your advice. I have to get my confidence up bc if anything that is what will do me in.

Keep us informed!!! I am rooting for you to make it!

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