Can a new grad work in the ER?

[Lucidity]

Is it possible for a new grad to get their first job in the ER? I heard it is possible in some areas for them to start in a low level area, but is that true? Otherwise, if I want to become an ER nurse, what experience do I need?

[One1, BSN, RN]

Yes, it is possible. It can be helpful to work as an ED tech (usually EMTs) or as an EMT in the field before applying for RN positions. However, I have seen new grad RNs without any clinical experience being hired into an ED. How successfully, I don't know.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Possible? Yes.

Good idea? Grey area.

Some new grads do wonderfully in the ED; others crash and burn because they can't keep up. I'm not a ED nurse but based on what I've heard--as well as talking to the ED nurses I do know--having either acute care nursing experience or experience as an ED tech/aide will help improve your chances for success as a new grad ED nurse.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Our ER will only hire new grads who did their indepedent study/internship (or whatever it is called!) in our ER. In other words, our manager, APN, and other RNs must be familiar with the person, their work ethic, their skills, etc. if they are going to be hired right after school. Not sure of the polilcy in other ERs.

[Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN]

Sorry, but i do not think the ER is the place for a new grad. Work med/surg or get an ICU fellowship and have a good foundation otherwise you wont make it without prior EMS or ER tech experience and even with that you still know very little because the roles are entirely different. You are really off doing your year of med/surg learning how not to kill someone, and time management and you should be able to do well. With no time management skills at a RN you are doomed to fail in an ER because of how fast it can get.

[LalaJJB]

In the region where I work, the ER is the place to get a job as a new grad because nowhere else is hiring.

[Skylar86]

Answer: Absolutely!

I am a newgrad and this is my 5th week (i get 6 weeks orientation and can request more if i need it). I hear so many nurses on here saying how important it is to get a background in med/surg before coming into ED. I think it is important (any experience is good!) the only med/surg experience I had was about 10 weeks in nursing school (it was good-- but not my passion). Having said that...I received my PCP (emt) certificate in Canada ( the only experience i had doing that was as a student-- there weren't any jobs.. hence my reasoning for going into nursing) which certainly helped! I also did a 5 week placement as a student in my 3rd year in ED which DEFINITELY helped! I recommend doing something where you can get exposure/understanding of how the ED works.

It's hard work, fast-paced, very stressfull at times but I absolutely LOVE the challenge it gives me and I can't ever imagine going to a ward. I plan on specializing in the field of emergency nursing!

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Yes, it's very possible. Every hospital & manager is different. My manager likes to hire a mix of new grads and experienced rns. And she does not like to hire experienced rns who don't have er experience. Her feeling (which I agree with) is med/surg is it's own specialty which can cause difficulty in transitioning to the er because the mindset is so different. While I don't have any med/surg experience beyond school clinicals, I've noticed while giving report that my priorities and the receiving m/s rn's priorities are often different. Plus, I believe time management skills needed are different in the er as opposed to the floor. Things change fast in the er and you'll need to reprioritize and modify what you're going to do when (time management) often and quickly. So, follow your heart, try to get a part time tech job in an er and don't worry about having to do a year or 2 of m/s first.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I started in the ER as a new grad. I don't feel like I was "doomed to failure" as another poster put it (and have successfully managed not to kill any patients), but my unit has a track record of hiring and successfully orienting new grads. I had a wonderful preceptor, and my coworkers have been very supportive along the way as well. I've invested in my education outside of work (ENA courses, self study, etc), and the pace of the ER suits my personality so it was a good fit for me.

Is it for everyone? No. Will all ERs that hire new grads have a good training process in place for them? No. But is it ALWAYS a bad, horrible, super awful idea for new grads to go in to the ER? Nope.

[RNFiona]

I have been a nurse for 10 years and have ONLY worked ER. So yes.

[SusGob711]

Yes. I live in Ohio and my hospital hires new grads each application cycle.

[sserrn, BSN]

My ER hires almost exclusively new grads!