Thinking of transferring to ER

massEDgirl · Apr 3, 2002

I was a nurse for 5 years before I transfered to the ED. Even though It was something I wanted to do since graduating...I to had that uneasy feeling...and wanted to make sure I could handle the challange.

Some think that ICU training is a must....but ICU nursing was something I had NO desire to do.

I worked as a "float nurse" for most of my years. I liked never knowing where they were going to send me...and in turn I learned a lot of skills from ortho to neuro....maturnity...pedi.....oncology....med/surg...and of course tele.

I feel the most important thing for me to get ready for the ED was to take a good ekg interpertation class and to study for ACLS.

If you really feel uncomfortable about the pediatric part I guess you could look at a PALS course.

As long as you have the desire to work in the ED you will do just fine

GOOD LUCK

CEN35 · Apr 4, 2002

good luck! i'm sure you will do fine. i can't imagine being an oncology nurse ever? so my guess is, it will be a huge change for you also!

me :)

Patience911 · Apr 7, 2002

Thanks for the encouragement!

I do have another question concerning ECG interpretation courses. Do they have any online that you know of. I still have my old text from nursing school but it is a bit out of date. About the only thing I can remember about ECG's is that a flat line is BAD NEWS. Working at a teaching hospital, there were always enough medical residents and students to quibble over the ECG, I tended to base my assessment on the actual patient. And for those of you with med experience, you'll know that after time, you don't need an ECG to figure out that your patient is in trouble!

Or, if there is nothing online, which book, or books would you recommend as a good starting point?

teeituptom, BSN, RN · May 6, 2002

howdy yall

from deep in the heart of texas

Well patience, one of my all time favorite ER nurses, worked in L and D for 25 years before coming to the ER, and she did just fine, and still is. She can work with me anytime. So if you want it , go for it.

keep it in the short grass yalll

teeituptom

petiteflower · May 6, 2002

Patience, go to http://www.nyerrn.com there is a cardiace strip review there as well as simulators that will help brush up some of your ER skills.

GOOD LUCK

ERNurse752, RN · May 7, 2002

Go to http://www.enw.org and go to the pediatric tips section...

Peds is scary until you just start doing it...I was a new grad when I went to the ER, and did fine. I don't know anyone in the ER who had every king of nursing experience under his/her belt before making the move to the ER...you just have to fly by the seat of your pants!

The ENA publishes a book called something like Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum that's good...

The http://www.ena.org site also has some more good references.

A good EKG book is Dubin's EKG Interpretation (Dubin is the author.)

I've seen it in medical/nursing reference sections of bookstores...it's bright orange, so you can't miss it!

http://www.fastfacts.com also has a good book with ER/ICU information...

I'm a book junkie, can ya tell???

Good luck!

traumajunkee · May 7, 2002

I was at a trauma conference and heard Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio speak...she is incredible. Her 12 lead course is great. (see below).

I came from CCU to ER and I can remember being terrified of ENT patients...*grin*. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses when first coming to ER.

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Finally a 12 Lead EKG book written by critical care nurses for critical care nurses! "I love this book! It takes all the stress out of learning 12 Lead EKG's. It's fun and it's full of information." EKG's have been made to be a complex topic, a mind-boggling tedious journey. Hey! Kick your shoes off this adventure is made to be fun! 175 pgs $19.95 + $5.00 S/H

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