Calling all new ER grads starting Feb 2013

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jan 20, 2013

just wanted to say welcome and good luck! there are many ER nursing books out there you could start reviewing, or start seeing what classes are available in your area, acls, pals, tncc, ekg classes, ped adv assessment, etc etc.

you could also get a CEN review book and start reading.

good luck! the skills will come easy, it's the time management and learning everything about every age group that takes time.

sharon2012rn · Jan 20, 2013

Thank you for responding. Those classes will be incorporated in my orientation. I have one book so far, Emergency nursing by incredibly easy. I will buy the CEN review book.

libran1984, ASN, RN · Jan 20, 2013

I hope you come to love it as much as I have!!! Been an ER Nurse (LPN) for 2 years now

Today....

I made a small difference in someone's life-younger woman with veins that were completely shot, I managed a 24G in her L hand,first try and dripped her blood into the tubes. Her mother was so happy that last time even IV team stuck her 6 times before finally opting for getting a short term PICC in her. Made me super happy.

With regards to 24G IV's: I personally prefer to drip the blood into the tube rather than allow the vacutainer to perform suction and risk collapsing the vein and potentially ruining my IV.

Also, I was the Primary nurse today for a seizure patient. I called it. I said she was having pseudo seizures! The RN working with me came in half way through it. Both he and my medic student really swore it was real. I told them I didn't think it was. It was too organized (no biting of the cheeks, no diaphoresis, and she just didnt look like it hurt.... real tonic clonic seizures look like they "hurt" to me) , there was a lack of postictal phase, she hyped up her aura phase like 5 minutes prior to the seizure, the whole thing just felt wrong to me. Not long after we got the MD in on one of them and he spent a few seconds watching her and straight up said, "this seizure isn't real". He left the room. Later when the MD asked her what she thought she was doing the pt said, "I was cold and shivering".

HA!

Welcome to the World!

Saflanut · Jan 20, 2013

Hi there,I graduated with my BSN last December and passed my NCLEX last week. And got the job two days later. Pretty excited. I am starting my ED fellowship in February. Ed was my first choice. I would love to hear everybody else's experiences. I did buy one ED book called Emergency Nursing Secrets after reading it here from amazon.

I would love to hear the "tricks of the trade" from the experienced ED nurses.

@sharon, I have the same worries about being a good nurse and learning skills that are essential to become a good ED nurse. In any case please share and I'll do the same.

Life is good! God is good!

EDdude · Jan 21, 2013

I just cut and pasted this from a previous thread so I didn't have to re-write the whole thing.

I'm a new grad RN about 10 weeks into my orientation in a very busy Level 1 Trauma Center. I would recommend reviewing your head to toe assessment and going over steps for skills (IV starts, NG tube placement etc). I would also recommend listening to EM Basic podcast, you can find it on iTunes or google it and I think you can listen to it on his page. It's made for Med students/Residents but there is so much great info on commonly seen issues in the ED and you'll get great tips for your assessment and it'll give you an idea of what tests/labs to expect. I've learned a ton of great info from this podcast. Also Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice is a great book.

Starting in the ED as a new grad can be the coolest, scariest, most awesome and overwhelming thing ever. I've seen and done and learned so much since I've started and know I still haven't scratched the surface. The one thing that every single nurse I work with has told me is don't be afraid to ask questions, they all say they're afraid of the newbie that thinks they know it all and doesn't ask for help. Good luck and enjoy the ride.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jan 21, 2013

good luck everyone! keep in touch!

chatty-cathy · Jan 21, 2013

Congratulations on such a great opportunity! As a new grad I am curious as to where you are located and how the job market is there!?

Music in My Heart · Jan 21, 2013

Ask questions of the other nurses and get to know the docs. Most MDs are happy to share their knowledge.

One of the biggest struggles that I had is (a) knowing what everything is called and, (b) knowing where everything is.

Be very good to your techs and aides and clerks and housekeepers -- each of these folks can make your job much easier or much harder, all depending on how they feel about you. They are super important to excellent patient care so don't disregard or disrespect them.

ED rocks... you'll see a ton and learn a ton... and it's a very in-demand specialty.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2013

I am not a new grad, but an experienced med-surg/peds nurse starting in the ER in a few weeks with the Feb fellowship of new grads. I will have a 8 week unit orientation and will also take a 12 week critical care class.

EDdude · Jan 22, 2013

That is the absolute truth.

Racer15, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2013

I'm a new grad, passed my NCLEX January 4th and have started working in the ED. Everyone is really nice, but I feel so stupid. I just never learned a lot of this stuff in school. For instance, last night I learned that if you are giving 1 gram of Rocephin IM, you mix it in about 2 mls of Lidocaine (depends on the mgs, but roughly). I find myself looking things up every day after I get off work. Meds, procedures, etc. I feel it will never change, and I'm feeling like a fish out water. Today my director gave me this little guide which I am finding useful, some of you may as well:

Amazon.com: Emergency & Critical Care Pocket Guide- 7th ed. (9781890495589): Paula Derr, Laura Criddle, Rhienna Guedry, Albert Carranza, Windy- Ayres Wray: Books