I was supposed to be in my Peds clinical this past week which I really was looking forward to because I thought that I would like it, anyway, first day we had not enough patients and to many students. So they were sending one of us to NICU and the other to ER. The other girl wanted to go to Nicu so I got to spend my 9 hours in the ER.
I FELL IN LOVE! Out of all my rotations thus far it was by far my favorite. The sucky thing was I couldn't do anything. Since it wasn't the unit my CI was in I couldn't do meds and stuff, would have had a chance to finally do some IM injections. (have only done sub q).
The staff their was so nice from the Doc, PA, NP and nurses. They are very hands on learning so even they told me they were frustrated they couldn't let me do more so I could learn. But even so they were absolutely wonderful. It was my best clinical shift and rotation thus far and I have been to a handful of units and it was also by far the nicest staff I had met that totally fit my personality. Lots of sarcasm and dry humor. I don't know, just a good fit.
So anyway, I was thinking about looking into becoming an aide in the ER. Since I am just about done with my first year we can get an Aide Cert after the first semester. So I could do that. Well turns out the ER I was in didn't use Aides, they used EMT-B I guess because their training is more extensive and they can do more.
My school offers an EMT-B class. I thought that this was a really good idea and I saw where it could be beneficial when like the EMT was bandaging, doing EKG's and stuff. Seemed their scope was larger then the aide so it made sense to have them in the ER instead. They were hired on full time in the ER so they weren't working with EMS
Anyway, I am curious how many hospitals do this. It was the first I had heard or seen of this but I do think it's a great idea.
I think I found where I might do my preceptorship!!!! I did get my next 2 nights in Peds and I dunno, I liked the ED much better.
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I saw CNA's in the ED where my ambulance most often went, but they didn't do anything 'interesting'. They did more or less the same aide work they will do in LTC - clean up the mess, remake the cots.
You will see a lot and be around a lot, but you could do more as a student nurse (if your CI were present, d'oh) than as a CNA.
Yeah it really sucked that I couldn't do anything. It made no sense to because in my other clinicals I rather saw my CI. Oh well.
The techs though in the ED I was in did a lot. They did EKG's, bandages, (stands out the most) helped the nurses a lot too. I was in the fast track area so we didn't have a lot of the serious stuff that was in the next area, it was a 40 bed unit.
In our peds ER we have a mix including EMT-B's,I's and P's and CNA's that work as ER techs. On the adult side the mix is the same but there are also med,nursing and PA students that float through from time to time. Our duties are much the same in both units they include EKG's (preforming not interpreting),straight stick phlebotomy,splinting,assisting with procedures,wound cleaning and prepping for sutures,recording and circulating on traumas,CPR on codes,rooming patients,getting vitals,getting patients on monitors,transporting to other units,covering the desk and stocking,stocking and more stocking. Much of what you can do relies on the trust you have earned and of course what your charge RN feels you are able to do. As an EMT-I have done things that are above what many paramedics do in the field but it has always been after I have demonstrated that I can be trusted.
For those that are looking to work in the ER as techs,PCT's or whatever the position is called in your neck of the woods I can offer a little advice. In most ER's the position is very competitive and there are usually many more qualified applicants than there are positions. Our last on call ER tech position in the peds ED brought in over 200 applications before they removed the post and many more continued to come in after that. On the adult side the odds are about the same. Knowing how to smoke your interview is what will put you ahead of the other applicants. Having a good package means nothing if you don't know how to sell it, you may only have one shot so you need to be ready. Most ER managers want to see that you have some experience preferably in prehospital EMS. You don't need to have alot of time under your belt but its nice to know that you can function well in the hectic environment that is the norm in most ER's. It also is very beneficial to have the critical thinking skills that are developed after some time in the field. Being able to stay two steps ahead of the action is a skill that will be well appreciated by your over worked RN's.
Being able to stay two steps ahead of the action is a skill that will be well appreciated by your over worked RN's.
DING DING DING!! I can't tell you how much I want to hug our techs (and I'm not a hugger!!) when I get ready to do something and discover it's already done. Our techs rock!!
Well I seen this thread and had to read what"s all this talk about emt's and cna's. Well I"ve been an EMT-b for 3 years of volunteering actively. I decided to branch in to nursing because I wanted to be apart of the adrenaline rush in the field and in the inside. So when it became about to combine the both I decided for my goal to be an E.R nurse Forensic nurse. So Being that I live in a State where they Use EMT's in hospital seeting I said I want peds I LOVE Kids, and it would help me with my future goals. So I applied I had meat to go with my application. I was in nursing school and a active volunteer EMT. I was hired In Peds"s I said GOD this must be my calling. Now that Im done withnursing school they offered me a job as an LPN. So If you are thinking about Becoming an EMT-B do it and be active we need more EMT's, and you'll be looked at as a candidate before any other nursing student for a new job or a CNA because they no you are equipped for the ill and sick and motivated. BECOME AN EMT>YOU WILL LOVE THE RUSH>
Our local ED uses PCT's (patient care techs) who have skills that the CNA does not learn in their schooling. They will train people to become PCT's.
Our ED does favor hiring PCT's with their EMT certificates though.
I say go for the EMT classes. Whether or not it will help you in working in the ED I can't say but I will say you will be able to volunteer for an ambulance company. And from the sound of it, you will enjoy it. I was an EMT for years (let my cert go as I just wasn't as "in to it" as I once had been) and volunteered for my towns volunteer ambulance squad. Having that cert (even an expired cert) has opened doors for me that otherwise might not have been there.
In my ED we use Patient Care Techs. Coming from an EMS background I would prefer EMT's having my back ANY day of the week over PCA, ER techs, etc. The advantage being EMT's are taught to assess patients. I proposed a change to the nurse manager and VP of nursing at our facility and they shrugged me off, then again they cant see the value since neither of them ever worked in the ED. go for the EMT, you will not regret it.
BECOME AN EMT>YOU WILL LOVE THE RUSH>
~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN
5,259 Posts
Yeah it really sucked that I couldn't do anything. It made no sense to because in my other clinicals I rather saw my CI. Oh well.
The techs though in the ED I was in did a lot. They did EKG's, bandages, (stands out the most) helped the nurses a lot too. I was in the fast track area so we didn't have a lot of the serious stuff that was in the next area, it was a 40 bed unit.