New Grad orientation

craigrn4er · Dec 14, 2006

I went through a detailed ER Internship that involved time on the floor with a preceptor as well as time in class. To me, the class time was pretty much a waste of time with little exception. Most of the classes seemed like a repeat of nursing school. I had hoped that they would have been more in depth. The exceptions were the class on EKG rhythms and the ACLS class. The ACLS class was geared just toward the new grads and was much slower paced and very detailed. We practiced numerous megacodes and a lot of different scenarios before we had to test and it was very beneficial. The best part of the internship was my time on the floor with my preceptor. Of course the important thing here is to have preceptors that like to teach. I think this needs to be geared toward assessment and the "tricks of the trade" so to speak.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 14, 2006

I worked in a level one trauma center for 10 years and we did use the ENA modules. They are detailed but definitely geared toward the new ER RN. This was supplemented by additional classroom time that went over the protocols of the hospital as well as what kind of assessment was expected. We also discussed what type of equipment was to be put out for the MD for the complaint; ie for a laceration lay out the suture set, the sterile drapes, for a pelvic complaint, have the speculum, the swabs labelled, etc..

nursequeenie · Dec 14, 2006

We use the ENA modules. We completed TNCC, ACLS, and ENPC as part of orientation. We also rotated to different areas of the hospital that we as the emergency department deal with frequently in order to "build bridges" such as cath lab, radiology, lab etc. We spent time in the department with a preceptor as well. I agree with the poster above that, maybe a little too much class time was completed. I personally learn better if I am given case studies. i.e. here is abdominal pain patient.... what ya gonna do now? and why? make me critically think!!! :twocents: