ER Nurses -- Any Advice for RN Student?

Published

Specializes in LTC.

This week my clinical assignment is in the ER. Any experienced nurses have any advice for a student RN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 20+ Years Emergency Room & Trauma..

cariboujenny-

While the Emergency Room is tons of fun and exictement, it can also be very stressful. Remember to keep your cool, stay calm, and pay attention. Ask questions if you are confused and have a good time, your going to see a lot of different things!

Good Luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

don't be afraid to ask lots of questions, volunteer to do things without being asked, see and do anything you haven't seen or done before because this may be your only chance. Do compressions on a code, start IV's, hang drips....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

Pay attention to what's going on around you so you can figure out where you'll see the most stuff, and stay out of the way if they tell you to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

stay out of the way!!! i'm just lki9dding.

my real advice: if anyone asks you to do something just do it! do not tell them that you did it before in nursing school already or that you are looking to do something else as you stand around doing nothing! the nurses will talk trash about you behind your back and to their boss... if you want a job in that ed there is nothing you are not willing to do at this time. oh, and smile when you say yes. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, PACU.

Im not an ER nurse but have some advice for how to maximize your experience there because I was recently a student :)

-practice IV insertion because you will be trying it alot and the nurses are so outgoing that they push you right into situations even if you're nervous so it helps to be prepared

-if the nurses try to make you do more than you're comfortable with, blame it on your instructor. I had one guy wanting me to do an IV push when Id never done one before and then he didnt stick around to watch so I said my instructor would kill me, yadda yadda, but thanks for the trust.

-keep an eye out for codes and go and watch them and do CPR (dont forget to tell your nurse where you went though)

-if traumas come in, you should hear it over the intercom as you would for a code so go and check em out

-if your nurse is busy or unfriendly and wont let you do skills, help out with a code brown and volunteer to do the unfun stuff and once they see you arent just using them for skills they will be much more helpful

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED Nursing, Critical Care Nursing.

Hi,

As other posters have said, it's important to keep your eyes and ears open. Ask questions without coming across as a "know it all". Some posters have advised that you should do anything you are asked to do, and I am going to advise you to be careful with that. You're a student, and the rules are different about what you are allowed to do. Don't do ANYTHING that you have not been trained to do, or are not allowed to do according to your specific program. Most programs won't allow you to do anything invasive unless your instructor is right there with you AND you have been trained to do it. The ED is a great place to hone assessment skills, so my advice would be for you to assess as many patients as you can (and that will allow it). A final note: there are some nurses that don't like students...some have forgotten what it was like to be a student. Figure out who they are and stay away from them. Find the nurses that like students and teaching.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion