Help Need Er Advice

[SDS_RN, RN]

I am fairly new to the ER and I have been having a difficult time. :oI feel like I know what I'm doing and I try to pump myself up everytime I have to go to work that I know what I'm doing. I am normally very confident in my skills but since moving to the ER I find myself doubting my self and my skills. My coworkers have not said anything to me about how I'm doing but I just get the feeling like they have to baby me. I don't like to ask them for a lot of help w/ my patients but they always offer and I say no that's okay i got it. I like to have total control w/ my pts but sometimes it's just not feasable. I was never afraid to ask for help on my previous floor but I guess I feel like I have to prove myself to gain their trust and respect. I'm never afraid to ask about something I don't know but I'm trying to do pt cares on my own. I'm used to floor working which I got a lot of good comments about but I'm still trying to find my groove in the ED. BTW have been their for about 4mo. I just don't feel like I'm gaining any ground. Any advice or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. I love working their but I guess I'm just lacking my confidence. Thanks for listening I just needed to get this off my chest.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I came to the ER with one year of ICU experience. I was so scared the first two years! At any rate, hang in there....it takes a year to realize what you don't know. By the time you've been there five years, you can do anything!

Don't be afraid to accept help. No need to be the hero. You'll learn so much from these informal interactions with other nurses. GOod luck

[SDS_RN, RN]

Thanks so much for the advice. I find some comfort in knowing that I'm not the only who's felt this way. I need to give up some control and allow the extra help!

[bill4745, RN]

....it takes a year to realize what you don't know

How true this is. I had 10 years of critical care and it took almost two years in the ER before I felt that I really knew what I was doing, and knew enough to start teaching other newbies. Hang in there!

[andhow5, BSN, RN]

I'm also a real "control freak", and it really upsets me when I don't feel like I'm able to keep up with the flow. But you know what? It doesn't matter HOW long you're there - you will have days where it is just plain horrible no matter how hard you try. Everyone has those days at one time or another.

I hate accepting help, but when I do get it, I just make sure to jump right in and help everyone else as soon as I'm free!

Tag team ED nursing rocks! There's no better sport in the world!