Dreams of Becoming an ER Nurse Fading.

[jjnmrsmom]

I work for a great hospital and want to live out my nursing career there. However my dream has always been to work in the ER. Problem is my (adult only) hospital only hires experienced nurses. There are no opportunities to cross train... I've asked. I've taken an ECG class, attained ACLS certification, and multiple CEU's to gain knowledge in order to increase my changes but they still wont consider me. How do I get the experience? I feel my dream slipping away. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[SCnurse2010]

Work as an RN in another unit for a few years then try again. Just because things don't happen when we think they should, doesn't mean we won't ever do it.

[morphed]

I don't know how far you're willing to go to be an ER nurse, but what about going part time, or even per diem at your current hospital and getting a part time or full time job in ER at another hospital? I wouldn't cut off all ties with your current hospital because you would lose your seniority. Of course you also have to consider how this is going to affect your benefits overall and your income overall. After you're had some training and experience in ER, you could reapply for an ER position in your hospital. Like I said, you might not want to go through all that.

By the way, I don't know how long you've been a nurse, but if you are new or only have a couple of years of experience, that might be the reason they're not giving you a chance. In a couple of years they might consider you, especially if they like to hire internally.

[himilayaneyes]

having no er experience, i would suggest that you do a preceptorship for the er at another hospital. of course, you'll have to work full-time at that facility. you can always go per-diem at your current facility. if you really want to be an er nurse, it looks like you're going to have to leave your hospital. good luck.

[diligent-trooper]

Know that you are not alone in this regard. I wanted to work in an ICU or Cardiac unit upon graduation. I felt it would be a good fit for me, since I would be using everything in my educational background, plus I would be able to receive additional training, and develop new skill sets. I tend to think of myself as intelligent, motivated, organized, and a detailed individual. I also am very confident in my abilities, and have a very good idea what my strengths and my true limitations are. I also like the challenge and the opportunity, in any job, to have to use my brain cells to determine what is needed to provide the best care and treatment for patients. These traits are very much needed on any floor, but ICU or similar critical patient area it is mandatory.

My instructors were very adamant for "reaching for the stars, and going after my dreams", which was countered with Unit Managers and HR directors with the Wicked Witch of the West responses and body language: "HA HA, is he serious! He actually thinks he is ready! HA HA HA HA! Silly new student nurses, they are so silly! I had to reexamine my situation.

What has happened in the last two years are several factors, which I am sure you are aware of and I will not go in depth here. Other than to say, the opportunities for graduate nurses are very limited, and the more advanced care floors nursing positions are closed to most new graduates. I have accepted my situation, and I applied for positions at the Hospitals within my area, in which I am being fully honest of my future goal and intentions. I am willing to take any position in an Acute Care facility, which will lead to my goal as a critical care area nurse. I have sent out at least 12 resumes, cover letters, and applications, and I have received three interviews in the last three weeks. So, I must be doing something right.

If you really consider the fact that you are a new graduate, there are a number areas which one can improve upon: Time management, the fundamental nursing skill sets, and just getting use to the hospital work environment itself. One of the areas, I believe I need to develop is my communication skills. In a critical care area, you will need to be able not only to provide concrete, well thought out answers, and competent replies to questions from the patient, but the patient's family will be hanging on every word you say. If you have the fundamental nursing skills and task to learn, you will find the communication aspects very overwhelming.

It may seem like a set back, but in actuality it may be the best opportunity for me. I know I will have less stress, which is a good thing. There may be gaps in areas in my medical and clinical understanding that I do not know exist. So, keep positive! By the time you are offered a critical care area, you will be up to the task, and ready to improve on other important matters, which are unique to the critical care floor.

[jjnmrsmom]

Thanks for the advice.

I have sent an e-mail expressing my interested to the hiring manager and offereing to work per diem, but I recieved no response at all. I'm willing to do whatever it takes.

"Work as an RN in another unit for a few years then try again. Just because things don't happen when we think they should, doesn't mean we won't ever do it."

Most of my nursing school friends went straight into their chosen specialties but I thought it was important to start on a med/surg type floor first to get some basic experience first. Seems they were right and I was wrong. They couldn't be happer and I'm struggling to reach my goals. But I will continue to gain as much experience I can and see where it leads me.

[Brainiacster]

OP,

Will the hospital allow you to work some extra hours as a tech or even volunteer (just paperwork or ordering supplies, for example) in the ED in addition to your capacity in your current role as nurse? (Might get a foot in the door.) If so, it might be worth asking for some extra moonlighting hours there. ...or possibly, doing some tech, nursing, or other moonlighting work in another hospital's ED while you're still at your current hospital. Also, as other posters have mentioned, you might want to *quietly* keep your eyes open for full-time ED nursing opportunities at other hospitals. In the interim, you might want to research other hospitals regarding where their needs are in ED...and perhaps fill a needed role in ED while you're waiting for your opportunity. Get whatever additional training you might need, etc. You might even ask some Q's of people in your own hospital's ED. Think outside of the box & try to make opportunities.

Best

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i second those who told you to leave!! that is what i ultimately did to persue my dream of becoming an er nurse! i absolutely loved the hospital i worked for prior to working in my current job! i worked for that hospital for years before being a nurse. however, i could not get cross trained in the er and they only wanted er nurses with experience (they even refuse to hire new grads). so i left. now i have er work experience and i have other certs my former hospital does not require but admires in er nurses! so, guess what? they want me back! gl!

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I don't want to work in any clinical department other than the emergency setting either. If I can't find an emergency job I'll probably go back to what I'm doing now. The rest of it, particularly fields with longer patient encounters, aren't appealing to me. I used to work as a paramedic so that experience will help, and my current line of work will help a little too. Other than that though, no med surg for me. I don't mean to sound arrogant or anything, but that's where my interest is.

[jjnmrsmom]

Thanks everyone. I agree with a lot of what you've said and I appreciate the advice.

As many of you know emergency nursing is a calling. I have never felt so at home and excited to be a nurse than when I did my ER rotation in college. I knew as soon as I stepped foot in that ED that it was were I wanted to be. Hopefully one day!

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

It is not uncommon for ICU nurses to transition to ER. If you are willing, you could put a year or two in ICU and then apply for ER, either at your hospital or another. Best of luck!

[RadRNMSN]

I know you said you love your hospital and don't want to leave but I'm with the others who have said you should persue a position in another institution. There are hospitals out there that offer internships in specialties like ER, OB, ICU, etc.

I went straight to the ER after graduation into an ER internship. It was the best thing I ever did. I recognized the fact that I was not interested in lengthly patient encounters. I love the excitement in the ER and in procedural areas. After graduating I worked in an ER for two years and thought I would like to go to the cardiac cath lab. My hospital just about laughed at me with my two years of ER experience when I said I wanted to try the cath lab, so I left. I went to another hospital system that trained me to work in the cath lab and interventional radiology. This experience opened many doors for me professionally. I have become a BLS instructor and have taken the class to become an ACLS instructor, I have networked with vascular surgeons, cardiologists, radiologists and many other professionals. I have since finished my MSN in education and have left to teach nursing school full time. I still stay in touch with everyone and often my students are able to observe in the cath lab and radiology and get tons of great experiences because of some of the people I have met a long the way. I still have ties at that hospital where I work PRN as a house supervisor.

Long story short, you career as a nurse is what you make it. That's what I love about nursing, the possiblities are endless. Keep friendly ties with the hospital you love, but if you have to, leave to persue your dreams. Who knows, maybe you'll like the next place even better, or at least you will get the experience you need to return to the facility that you love.

Good luck!