Been a medic for a short period of time, 6 years to be exact. I consider my self to be seasoned since I've been exposed to critical care and 911 field work. I've always had a interest to expand my knowledge and I feel the ER is where I want to be. I feel being a ER nurse will be rewarding because you get a taste of everything. A few unique characteristics that intrigue me to choosing this path once I reach my endeavor.
Proficiency- you become proficient in task. You must be prepared to be independent. This is right up my alley!
Patience and Awareness - you have to act quickly, calmly and efficiently without much info to go on.
Emotions- it's a human instinct to get attached, but you cannot get emotionally involved.
A few characteristic I noticed some nursing mentors of mine carry that or similarities to what you will need to practice Emergency Medicine. I love it!!!!!!
What is your field of choice? And why do you find it unique?
I also did EC's program as a paramedic, with about 5 years of time as a paramedic and 3.5 years as an ER tech under my proverbial belt, and I've been an ER nurse for 5 years now. There are many aspects of the ER that are disappointing ... lots of drama, lots of social work. But in the end, it's about helping patients. Some need different types of help, some need a swift kick in the butt, whatever. LOL. But if you can use the ER "in" as a transition from EMS, then that's great. Get in there, get your RN experience, then look around and see what you want to do. I think one of the coolest things about nursing is that if you get bored in one area, you can reinvent yourself in another.
Right now I'm doing 100% trauma, which is pretty exciting. I got tired of being a civilian ER nurse, so I got my BSN and commissioned into the Army Nurse Corps (at the tender age of 38, hahaha). Most of the time I work full-time (more than full time, haha) in an Army ER, but right now I'm with a forward surgical team (FST) in Afghanistan, in charge of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) section -- basically in charge of the ER portion of our FST. I think I'm going to be pretty tired of trauma when this 9 months (8 now) is done, but we'll see! Might be a nice change to get back to my ER and have a change of perspective. :)
Anyway, I'm rambling after a long night shift. Good luck to you in pursuing your goals! Nursing isn't for everyone, to be sure, but it can also serve as a great stepping stone to other areas in medicine. I've had the opportunity to work with some fabulous CRNAs this deployment, which has led me to thinking about transitioning to other areas in critical care, and perhaps even CRNA school. It's intriguing and exciting!
the benefits you state above all apply to ems and none of it applies to the er. I am new to the hospital, but you don't need nurses there, or probably anywhere.
how nursing became a "profession" is beyond me. on the other hand, you could say the same thing about the fire dept. oh well, it pays the bills, and I enjoy it, but a profession? come on...
in the er you basically say "what's going on today?" start an iv, draw blood, then wait for orders. depending on the hospital and complaint, you can do some things without an order (x-rays, a few meds). once the orders come, you can go ahead and give the tylenol, antibiotics and discharge papers.
Wow. How incredibly insulting. I'll assume you're trolling... Or totally ignorant.
I just got my EMT, not planning to work as one, just wanted to have it for the alternative skill set prior to entering nursing school. I'm applying to accelerated NP programs and a few 12-month BSN programs, and always thought I wanted to be an ER nurse, I guess until reading this thread...
My top choice school is UCSF, but they require you to choose a specialty during the application process. Anybody care to chime in on what might be the best?
Choices are Acute Care Pediatric NP, Adult-Gerontological Primary Care NP, FNP, and Pediatric NP. I don't know if choosing something like pediatrics closes you into a niche or not... Most of the accelerated programs only offer FNP, and I'm wondering if that's the best route, maybe the most comprehensive..? I appreciate any thoughts you might have!
I was rejected from the NP school I applied to due to no nursing experience, so be aware that will probably be a factor with you too. I've been in EMS for 11 years, 7 in a very advanced system.
FNP has its advantages being the most comprehensive, but it's also the most competitive and hard to get into. in the ER where I work, the midlevels (NP/PA) see the ant bites, fevers, dental pain, abscesses, etc. in other words, the majority of ER pt's. on the other hand, the stuff is so basic and routine that I can't see myself doing that. I'm mainly looking at ACNP now, or just living my life with the great career and part time job I already have.
as far as niche, it depends on what you mean. you probably won't ever treat adults without going back to school.
good luck and you know what they say about opinions. I call it like I see it (and work it), but someone else may feel completely different. I enjoy my jobs, it's just that except for the fire side, I don't think they're anything special like many people do.
I was rejected from the NP school I applied to due to no nursing experience, so be aware that will probably be a factor with you too. I've been in EMS for 11 years, 7 in a very advanced system.
FNP has its advantages being the most comprehensive, but it's also the most competitive and hard to get into. in the ER where I work, the midlevels (NP/PA) see the ant bites, fevers, dental pain, abscesses, etc. in other words, the majority of ER pt's. on the other hand, the stuff is so basic and routine that I can't see myself doing that. I'm mainly looking at ACNP now, or just living my life with the great career and part time job I already have.
as far as niche, it depends on what you mean. you probably won't ever treat adults without going back to school.
good luck and you know what they say about opinions. I call it like I see it (and work it), but someone else may feel completely different. I enjoy my jobs, it's just that except for the fire side, I don't think they're anything special like many people do.
Thanks for the response rebook! I'm applying to schools that have entry level programs for those with an alternative Bachelors. Which programs did you apply to? With all your years in EMS, you have plenty of hours for PA, would you want to do that?
Could you elaborate on NPs in the ER. I did my EMT clinical rotation at the local ER, and everyone there was either a physician or a nurse. What's the NP's capacity there?
Thanks for the response rebook! I'm applying to schools that have entry level programs for those with an alternative Bachelors. Which programs did you apply to? With all your years in EMS, you have plenty of hours for PA, would you want to do that?
Could you elaborate on NPs in the ER. I did my EMT clinical rotation at the local ER, and everyone there was either a physician or a nurse. What's the NP's capacity there?
gotcha. I applied to florida southern. I have looked into PA and am in touch with a professor at one of the universities around me where they are starting a PA school in 2015. my bachelor's is in not in a science, so the problem with PA is that I don't have the sciences I would need (and you need a lot) and generally you can't work in PA school. the money you make as a PA isn't worth the massive debt from quitting my job. CRNA maybe, but not PA. NP programs are more friendly for the working adult.
I'm sure midlevel stuff varies by state and hospital, but they basically do what I said above...prescribe pain meds, motrin, and antibiotics, as well as incise and drain abscesses, pelvic exams, etc.
Lunah, MSN, RN
14 Articles; 13,773 Posts
I also did EC's program as a paramedic, with about 5 years of time as a paramedic and 3.5 years as an ER tech under my proverbial belt, and I've been an ER nurse for 5 years now. There are many aspects of the ER that are disappointing ... lots of drama, lots of social work. But in the end, it's about helping patients. Some need different types of help, some need a swift kick in the butt, whatever. LOL. But if you can use the ER "in" as a transition from EMS, then that's great. Get in there, get your RN experience, then look around and see what you want to do. I think one of the coolest things about nursing is that if you get bored in one area, you can reinvent yourself in another.
Right now I'm doing 100% trauma, which is pretty exciting. I got tired of being a civilian ER nurse, so I got my BSN and commissioned into the Army Nurse Corps (at the tender age of 38, hahaha). Most of the time I work full-time (more than full time, haha) in an Army ER, but right now I'm with a forward surgical team (FST) in Afghanistan, in charge of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) section -- basically in charge of the ER portion of our FST. I think I'm going to be pretty tired of trauma when this 9 months (8 now) is done, but we'll see! Might be a nice change to get back to my ER and have a change of perspective. :)
Anyway, I'm rambling after a long night shift. Good luck to you in pursuing your goals! Nursing isn't for everyone, to be sure, but it can also serve as a great stepping stone to other areas in medicine. I've had the opportunity to work with some fabulous CRNAs this deployment, which has led me to thinking about transitioning to other areas in critical care, and perhaps even CRNA school. It's intriguing and exciting!