ER job- new grad

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Just want some thoughts on this, is 8 weeks of orientation in the ER enough for a new grad w/o prior ER experience?? would you take the job?

All thoughts /comments are appreciated!

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
It is curious that CWhitebn misconstrues my post as being critical of new grads.

I understood the author of the original post to be asking for opinion of those of us with good experience under our belts. I gave mine based on my personal experience as a Level I Trauma Nurse, Certified x 15 years having worked in a large and progressive Westcoast Level I Trauma Center for years and years.

I hope that my well earned wisdom has been useful to the new grad who asked and that he/she knows it was offered in good spirit and care of the new inexperienced nurse. We all have to start somehwere, and I stand by my opinion(shared by many an ED manager) that the ED is no place for a new grad. Most EDs require at least 2 years previous med-surg experience. Those that don't or who have decreased their requirements are more than likely feeling the nursing shortage and weary of paying high dollar for agency nurses.

:nurse:

I thought your post was informative and exactly what the OP was asking for when posting for opinions. It is interesting to me the never ending abundance of cyber hugs and unconditional support for things that often don't make a bit of sense to me as well as how often it seems that people only want to hear things that agree with their opinion. It makes me wonder why they even bother posting on a public forum without adding that caveat. :confused: Not you OP, btw. :)

However back to your original response errn911susan although I could be mistaken last I heard Shock Trauma in Baltimore, MD hired new grads that that is far from a rinky dink rural facility. :D

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I have been looking for an RN job for over a year now I would take any RN position in a hospital quickly!!!!

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Shock Trauma in Baltimore...? Holy Cow!!! Well, I am sure it all must be economy related. Truly.

No doubt they would not want to pay me the high wage I make per hour in favor of a new nurse's wage.

Hopefully all these EDs have awesome mentors and offer lots and lots of support. A few inservices on ER Nursing and Addiction may help these newbies too!

A healthy means of stress reduction is a must as an ED nurse! A 0400 ride on my stationary bike before work is my ticket to sanity and rejuvination after a noc of cleaning brain matter up from the floor!!

:yeah:

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Specializes in ED.

8 weeks is definitely not enough. I had 12 weeks for a 20 bed ER and i think it wasnt enough

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The only preparation for a job in the ED is working in the ED. 8 weeks though for a new grad is a little on the light side. As long as you have good support and they gradually ramp up your patient load you can do it.

There is always time to get a set of vitals before giving a med.

Good luck and best wishes!

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Shock Trauma in Baltimore...? Holy Cow!!! Well, I am sure it all must be economy related. Truly.

No doubt they would not want to pay me the high wage I make per hour in favor of a new nurse's wage.

Hopefully all these EDs have awesome mentors and offer lots and lots of support. A few inservices on ER Nursing and Addiction may help these newbies too!

A healthy means of stress reduction is a must as an ED nurse! A 0400 ride on my stationary bike before work is my ticket to sanity and rejuvination after a noc of cleaning brain matter up from the floor!!

:yeah:

Amen

A good heavy weightlifting session after a rough day makes it all better.

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Specializes in ED, ICU.

Thank you all for the replies, the job offer was made and I accepted! Orientation period will be 6 months... :)

I am very excited and cannot wait to start!

All advice in prepartion for the beginning is accepted! :):D:D

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Let us all know how it goes!!!! I'm interested in ER too as a new grad and I would love to hear updates from you :)

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Congrats!

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I would be leery of such a short orientation, especially in a fast-paced ER. I'm orienting in acute rehab and it's 12 weeks with a possible extension if my clinical educator and I think I need it.

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Thank you all for the replies, the job offer was made and I accepted! Orientation period will be 6 months... :)

I am very excited and cannot wait to start!

All advice in prepartion for the beginning is accepted! :):D:D

6 months is a bit different that 8 weeks! Good luck and keep us posted- I'm hoping to go in the the ER as my first job (have applied for a couple of residencies for it).

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I finally landed a job in the ED also with 8 weeks with a preceptor and 6 months of ENA modules. I believe the OP will not be with a preceptor for 6 months, but rather will be 8 weeks with a preceptor and 6 months of ENA modules. 6 months of being with a preceptor and not taking a full load of patients would be unrealistic.

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