ER Cover letter help- switching specialties- pretty please! : )

[ivyleaf]

I am working on a cover letter to apply for an ED position at a facility where I previously worked. All of my experience is in psych (I kind of fell into it after graduation, long story) and I really want to make the switch to ER.

I am trying to show how I have experience assessing clients and working autonomously. I am debating highlighting that in my current position (Community outreach/health education) I work in an outpatient setting without a doctor/NP/medical provider. In addition, I work in a freestanding psych crisis unit where there is only 1 nurse per shift and no doctors (except for on call of course, and there are only 6 clts).

Should I highlight these, or does this put me in a negative light, as it also highlights my lack of acute care experience (I have worked inpt psychiatry, did an ER rotation in school, volunteered at an ER way back when, and worked as a CNA in med surg)?

Any other CL advice would also be appreciated!!

Thanks : )

[canchaser, BSN, RN]

Wow! Highlight this. Our ED holds psych pts A LOT. With your background I'd think you would be an asset. You might even be able to get in on changing policies of care of the psychiatric pt and help ER nurses with these pts! Our hospital has just implemented the rapid response team for the psyche pts that are on medical units, the psyche nurses come. I'm a medical nurse all I know is ativan calms a pt down but likely is not the correct med for an escalation in this type of patient and I'm smart enough to understand these nurses can teach me in treatment for these specialized pts. I'm sure you also know of output services or other services that can help these clients.

[Armygirl7]

Functioning independently is an asset in the ER so I would highlight it. ER is a cool combo of being able to manage stress, both your own and the patient's, and work quickly and independently while AT THE SAME TIME functioning as a reliable and solid part of a well-oiled team! So you need to have both abilities - independence/cool under pressure AND great communication skills and ability to work with the multiple non-nursing disciplines we need to achieve safe outcome/disposition of the Pts. Your psych background would be much appreciated in our ER. Everyone new to ER, even a Med-Surg nurse, has to learn a lot of acute critical care skills and new ways of doing things when they come to the ER so stress your wilingness to learn and enthusiasm for the job and how your psych background will only enhance your value.

GOOD LUCK!