ED nurse advice

Specialties Emergency

Published

Specializes in ED.

This is my first post yay! :)

I am an irish nurse just finished my 9 month internship after 4 long years to get my nursing degree.

I have secured a job in the ED of my parent hospital. Usually we have to have 6 months as an RN at ward level before being able to transfer to ED but due to short staffing some new grads are going straight there! ED is where I wanted to end up so im excited but also nervous! .....any advice??

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

Get to know who is who in the zoo.....senior med reg, surgical SHO. Minor procedures that are performed all the time, are you expected to fit Philadelphia collars? Crutches?

Where are you working?

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Specializes in ED.

That's a helpful tip, thanks.

I'm working in Cork, Ireland.

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Specializes in ER.

drive to work, change your mind, go to the pub, have a nice cold pint and wait for this all to blow over

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Specializes in CPEN.

Have an open mind. The ED is a very intimidating place to begin your career (I did the same) however it is highly rewarding. That being said, it is also essential to check your ego at the door. Mistakes happen, especially as a brand new nurse, no matter how careful you are. Always listen to your gut-it is amazing how often that "it just doesn't seem right" feeling is accurate. And never assume you know all the answers.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

Cool, I used to work in Letterkenny many years ago, before the new ED.....

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Specializes in ED.

I started as a new grad in ER. Loved it! I stayed on orientation as long as possible, I cultivated relationships with EVERYONE including the nasty mean nurses because even they had something to teach me, in fact I found that by showing some interest and respecting some amazing skill those difficult nurses had or asking their advice (even if I didn't take it!) they became my allies. I suffered for the first 6 months on my own - which I think is normal. It's just overwhelming. After those first 6 months on my own I started to hit my stride and after a year and a half I was cruisin! I really liked what EMNurse10 said - yes you will make mistakes, just try to be as deliberate as you can with everything, and heed that little small voice. Every mistake I ever made I looked back and there was a moment when I had that "something's not right" feeling but I didn't stop and listen. Now I always listen to that feeling. Four years in now and I have such good team mates I can just go to any of my allies and say - "I have a gut feeling I am doing something wrong will you look at this and tell me if I am??" And they do the same with me. Many many times a shift you will handle deadly medications, and that is very stressful. Save your mistakes for small things that are not fatal!

I love the camaraderie in the ER. We get through it together every shift and I have such a deep connection with my co-workers, it is a very special feeling. I hope you love it as much as I do. I don;t know how long I can take the stress but I'll always love the ER experience!

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