ER Nursing--Can I start in MAY 06?!?!?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Specializes in Emergency Department.

I am a 4th Semester ADN nursing student!!--YAY-- Anyway, I really want to work in the ER--I haven't done any preceptorship there yet or anything, but I love working in the moment--not knowing what is going to happen from one minute to the next--

My question is--how important is it for me to go to a Floor and work my first year? Or is it possible just to go straight into the ER and learn just as fast as you would on a floor?

I have been battling this decision since I started nursing--I really want the ER and don't want the floor but others have told me "youre asking for it if you go straight to the ER"

I really want this though--what do you all think? Does any one have any similar problems?

Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.

Hey there, I would recommend looking around for ER Nursing Orientation programs. I know they exist foir new grads. If not, perhaps try getting into some type of ICU first, then try the ER after a year. Just me opinion.

If ER is where you want to be ... go for it. If (big if) the ER where you are going to work offers an extensive orientation. Our hospital gives new grads 6 months one-on-one with an experienced nurse. There is so much that you need to be exposed to, you need that much time. The nurses that started as new grads end up doing great, and even if ER ends up not being for them, they are also well prepared for when they transfer out.

good luck

Specializes in ER, PACU, OR.

I went to ER out of school. Despite the cries of my teachers "That's not real nursing", "You can't do that, you need experience", "they will never hire a new grad", blah, blah, blah.

While when I look back, I clearly see that experience is what makes you a great nurse. Realizing after a any given situation, that incident will make you better are important also.

On a 1/10 scale:

1st 6 months - learning curve is a 10.

2nd 6 months - learning curve is a 7.5

3rd 6 months - learning curve is a 4

After 2 years it's always a 2-3, you never know enough, or everything.

I was hired part time 40hrs per pay (2 week period), but worked on the average of 90 hours a pay, and read in my off time, and paid attention to everything. I took my ACLS, PALS, BTLS, MICN, CEN all within 14 months. Even after everybody said wait until your in the ER for 2-3 years to take the CEN. I wanted to know all the answers to everything, all the meds and S/E's of meds, procedures, helping with procedures, and how to manage a patient on my own when the ER physician wasn't readily available.

By my 3rd year, I felt I had it down pat. All of it helped immensly. Even though I'm not there now all those things have carried over to now, that give me the insight, assessment skills, and thought proccess take handle a situation. I don't regret it for a second. They were all wrong. Just remember it doesnt all come to you overnight.

cya :)

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