Career Change

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Specializes in medicine floor.. surg-step-.moving to ED.

Hi All,

I start my new job in the ED on tuesday. After 2 1/2 years on the floor I am sooo ready for change. The problem is that I am petrified right about now.

Have I done the right thing? Will I like it? What if I am terrible? Will I go through the trial by fire route again by being the new nurse?

Help!:o

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I think your anxiety is normal - you're stepping out of your comfort zone. Some days in the near future you probably won't like, because you'll be learning a new routine and feel out of sorts. But that should pass. You chose to make the change for a reason - now you get to go and make the most of it.

Good luck to you & welcome to the ER!

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

Give it a try. I came to the ER 3 years ago after 10 of ICU. It is an adjustment - you think for yourself: about what to do for a pt before the doc arrives (IV, labs, ECG?), do I need a doc now?, etc. One thing that takes time for floor nurses is the critical care part. It will come to you, if they have a good orientation program.

Never hesitate to ask a question - after 14 years of nursing, I ask questions of the nurses and docs every day.

The ER is the best move I ever made - it is never boring, I learn something every day. I hope you enjoy it.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Going to the ER was the best thing I ever did career-wise! I worked 10 years in a level one ER after working one year in ICU and one year in med-surg. It was definitely my niche - loved it and learned so much.

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Specializes in medicine floor.. surg-step-.moving to ED.

Thank you everyone.

I am hopeful that I will love the ER. I am not afraid to ask questions and I love to learn new things. I am hopeful that I will love it so much that I look forward to work as opposed to dreading it. On the floor it was the same old thing day after day. The place I am going to is a level 2, but very busy. They don't have the best rep for training but I am willing to speak up for what I need. I have come to realize that in nursing there are times when you can only learn something when you are experiencing it for yourself. Any advice is appreciated and thank you all. I love to hear other nurses say that it is the best move they made.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

Let us know how things are going.

I forgot to mention that you will be a much better ER nurse of you have ADD and are a bit psychotic.

Good luck!!

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Specializes in medicine floor.. surg-step-.moving to ED.

Hi Everyone,

Well, I am three weeks in and so far I am very happy. I am excited about work again and I think I will be good at it with a little time. I already have regained some confidence and my preceptor has a way of pulling info out of me that I didn't even know I still had in my brain. LOL

Thank You all for your support.:lol2:

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Specializes in tele, icu, homecare, long-term acute.
Hi Everyone,

Well, I am three weeks in and so far I am very happy. I am excited about work again and I think I will be good at it with a little time. I already have regained some confidence and my preceptor has a way of pulling info out of me that I didn't even know I still had in my brain. LOL

Thank You all for your support.:lol2:

Yay! I'm so glad to hear it!

Now, I'm starting on the ED next week myself, so we'll see if 3 weeks in if I'm as happy as you, lol!

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