Am I ED material?

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Ok, So here's my background: ED tech/nurse extern for 6 mos PT during nursing school. ED RN 8 mos FT. NP in specialty area adults only for the last 7 mos. I recently started working solo at an all ages urgent care 2-4x q monthly on weekends. Where I live they have acute clinic in our ER's staffed by NP's for less emergent problems, basic lacs requiring suturing, abscesses, Strain/sprain/simple fracture care, ear aches totth aches...dermatitises extroardinaire- you get the idea... I am really wanting to go back to be an NP in this environment, yet I do not feel confident I have the training for this. NP's are expected to be very independient. up to 30 patients in a 12 hour shift, one RN and one tech for support. This may sound ridiculous, but although I have set up and assisted for 100+ suture pts, I have never sutured myself, or done an I+D or much wound packing. I am less worried about this than remembering my muskuloskeletal assessments, and assessment skills for 2month olds to 3 year olds, etc. Any words of wisdom? Any training courses to help me review learn these things...for those of you who are ED NP's how did you learn these skills. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks:confused:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm confused: you are an adult NP now? Yet, you care for kids? Are you working ER now? Fast track? Urgent care?

Sorry, maybe I need more coffee this morning - lol.

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Sorry,

Thanks for asking me to clarify, as I was really hoping for your feedback especially. I'm an FNP who is working FT in a specialty area -for adults only. I also work PRN in a local urgent care center (all ages), but most folks w/ babies bring them to the pedi urgent care or children's ED down the street, so not many patients younger than 3yo. I am now considering going back to the ED for a fast track position (less emergent things sent here) -have an interview set up this week- but not confident that I can manage it.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Got it - that makes sense. I think you would do fine. I too haven't sutured. However, ENA and some of the PA CEU websites do offer ER Procedure Conferences for mid-levels.

At the moment, I'm in school for a Peds CNS so I'm not working in the ER but plan to go back later this year, just prn.

I work full-time nephrology so obviously don't get much urgent stuff, except when pts decide to quit breathing at dialysis.

Good luck - let us know how it works out.

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