Any Hope for the ER... and how soon?

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

Hi all,

I have been a nurse for about 3.5 years (almost time to change my username!) mostly in a community health clinic. For the past 8 months I have been working on a Medical/Surgical floor at the county hospital in my area. For the first 3 months I was shadowing an experienced nurse. I took the job hoping to gain experience in the inpatient setting as I would love to eventually work in the ER. Unfortunately many of the patients on the floor are "placement" patients whose medical issues have resolved but have nowhere to be discharged to because of homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse or a combination of these. I have no issue at all working with this population and actually enjoy it but I feel like I am not getting much hands-on experience or skills. Once in a while I will care for actual post-op patients but pretty infrequently. I hardly ever get to start IVs, put in catheters, etc and feel that this floor is not really preparing me to apply for an ER job. I am however gaining experience handling behavior issues that may benefit me in the ER. The ER at my hospital is super under-staffed and almost always hiring, and I was told if I email the manager they would likely transfer me to the ER and start training me. However, I feel guilty that I received so much training on the Med/Surg floor (which is also understaffed!) and already want to leave it. Should I wait until I have been there one year before trying to transfer, and if so should it be one year from my actual start date or one year from when I started working on my own with no preceptor? Thanks for your help!

[SouthpawRN]

Being able to care for and handle psych patients seems like a real benefit. I would think that will help you in getting into the ER. How hard are those "nursing skills" anyway? I would think you will pick up proficiency in those skills pretty quickly.

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

Thank you both for your advice!