What Else Is There?

[gemmi999]

I have about 8 months of ED experience in a small, community ED. I was determined to stick it out here for 2 years in order to have enough experience to transfer back to where I grew up, where all my family is, etc. Recently though there has been a mass exodus of staff at my hospital, to the point where there is only 1 RN with experience left to be charge. Everyone else is traveler, registry or New Grad. My hospital states no travelers or registry can be charge.

Last night I showed up at work and the administration had placed a New Grad as Charge. I know we are short on Charge RNs, but being a New Grad as well, I did not feel this was safe and told my unit manager. I also told her that if this continues to happen I would have to look elsewhere for work. Unit manager stated she didn't have anyone else but she would look into it next week--she was out for 5 days on vacation.

The shift was a bit rocky--I had an ICU hold that was slowly tanking, and one other bed that a new ICU patient was placed in. I was not given ANY help in stabilizing new ICU patient, which took about 2 hours. My other patient's BP continued dropping and I would run over and titrate the drips and fluids while trying to get my new patient stable. When I asked for help, I was told everyone was busy.

This experience, plus the conversation I had with the manager, is making me think leaving now versus later is the best decision. I don't have enough experience to get hired in another ER closer to home, so I was wondering what other types of positions are out there that an ER RN would be a good fit for. Urgent cares? Prisons? I don't really want to go to med/surg or a SNF, but those options are available as well.

Any thoughts?

[Eldrad]

Have you tried applying to the hospitals close to where you are from? I had to leave the small community ED after 6 months of er experience (3 was orientation) and was offered jobs at all 3 ers I applied to closer to home.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I don't have enough experience to get hired in another ER closer to home

How do you know this for sure? Have you applied? Even if it says "one year," give it a go -- just apply, see what happens. Your current situation does not sound good.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

How do you know this for sure? Have you applied? Even if it says "one year," give it a go -- just apply, see what happens. Your current situation does not sound good.

Definitely. I applied to a position asking for "one year of experience" when I was a new grad and I got the job. It wasn't for the ER but still. It never hurts to try. And I agree, your situation sounds horrible. I would RUN.