Best way for a new nurse to get into ED

joyful_wanderer · Sep 8, 2014

Maybe contact the ED manager and let them know you are interested? Thats what I did. I started out as a new grad working in an out patient clinic associated with the hospital. The ER was just across the hall. I spoke to the manager a few times about eventually transferring and asked what I could do to increase my chance of getting hired there. I also graduated with my ADN so for my BSN clinicals the ED manager let me complete my time there and then when my time was completed they hired me.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 8, 2014

Take their education classes and get to know the staff. You are taking the right steps with your education and preparation. I would also approach the manager and tell them of your interest, and the steps you are taking. It shows initiative! Good luck.

Guests · Sep 8, 2014

In addition to ACLS, PALS, and TNCC, I'd suggest NRP, STABLE (especially), and ENPC. I'd also consider ATCN in favor of TNCC.

I would also concentrate on reviewing skills like managing chest tubes and accessing vascular access ports.

Finally, you should study arrhythmia recognition and chest pain, stroke, and sepsis care standards...

From there, you could bone up on emergency meds like pressors, ACLS drugs, and tox antidotes.

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Sep 17, 2014

I work for a 68 bed level I Trauma center. I've been there almost 10 years after spending 8 years in a cardiac unit. Having your ACLS,PALS and even TNCC might give you a foot up,.....I'm sure I'll be flamed for this,..but if you applied to our ED with your CEN and no ED experience you wouldn't be hired on principle alone. Having a certification shows expertise in your area of practice. Having a certification in an area you have no work experience in just shows that you can study and pass an exam,.and might even be construed as cocky,...while a sense of confidence is important,...starting in the ED claiming to be an expert is a sure sign of failure.

SionainnRN · Sep 17, 2014

I work for a 68 bed level I Trauma center. I've been there almost 10 years after spending 8 years in a cardiac unit. Having your ACLS,PALS and even TNCC might give you a foot up,.....I'm sure I'll be flamed for this,..but if you applied to our ED with your CEN and no ED experience you wouldn't be hired on principle alone. Having a certification shows expertise in your area of practice. Having a certification in an area you have no work experience in just shows that you can study and pass an exam,.and might even be construed as cocky,...while a sense of confidence is important,...starting in the ED claiming to be an expert is a sure sign of failure.

Yeah my understanding was there were hour requirements for both CEN and TNCC. I would be highly suspicious of a new grad with too many certificates and no actual nursing experience.

Sfrazilus · Sep 17, 2014

Contrary to common sense, there are no hours requirements for CEN. Like PPs mentioned, having certification without experience in the area shows that you can study. But, I'd see it more as a sign of dedication to the field than a sign of cockiness. Most likely, most managers will see it on your resume, think "so you don't need hours to sit for the cert" and move on to asking you real questions.

SionainnRN · Sep 17, 2014

Contrary to common sense, there are no hours requirements for CEN. Like PPs mentioned, having certification without experience in the area shows that you can study. But, I'd see it more as a sign of dedication to the field than a sign of cockiness. Most likely, most managers will see it on your resume, think "so you don't need hours to sit for the cert" and move on to asking you real questions.

True, just checked the site and it seems they recommend 2 years experience before testing but not required.

Guests · Sep 17, 2014

To me, the CEN would show enthusiasm for ED nursing specifically. And to pass the exam without experience says a lot about someone's intellect and their demonstrated desire to work in the ED.

You can't get ED experience unless someone gives you a chance and passing the CEN would be a tally mark in the yes /no column to give someone a shot at it.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Sep 17, 2014

I kinda flip-flop on the whole CEN-without-experience metric... I guess it would depend on the person, really. I know someone who has her CEN but has no ER nursing experience, and there is an air of obnoxiousness about her. But if a newer grad told me that ER was his/her passion without that "look at me" peacock strut, I would consider that early CEN a sign of dedication. I don't typically recommend it for new grads, but who am I? :)

Guests · Sep 17, 2014

I guess I feel like like I got lucky twice to finally get the chance to prove myself in a large urban ED.. And that I was nearly relegated to an underpaid nursing backwater that would've made my decision to enter nursing a terrible one and therefore easily see the side of those hoping to break in.

kimmer64 · Sep 29, 2014

Thank you all for your comments! I appreciate all of them and I understand the comments about appearing cocky! I am far from that. I realize that there is not a course in the world that can replace experience. However, I do believe that in the interim I want to try to learn as much as I can.