ER nursing for established nurse with recent time off

Published

Specializes in Cardiology & ER.

hi all!

hope youre having a wonderful holiday. I recently accepted a position at a level I trauma center working in the ER. I have about 18 months experience working on a cardiac step down unit but im really nervous to work ER! im relatively young and usually work at a pretty fast pace but i have recently taken about 6 months off of work for my husbands job relocation, so i feel like i might be a little rusty to start out. Any advice for me as far as working ER goes? best ways to prepare etc? I will have an 8-10 week orientation adn of course the hospital orientation and provided ACLS PALS TNCC,ENPC which i have never taken. i think im mostly nervous to be taking care of kids and OB patients as well as everything else that i have not been exposed to on a cards unit. thanks:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

:up: You will never be alone until they think you are ready to be alone. Even then, it's ok to say "I've never done peds, can you help me?" In a big situation you won't have a choice. :yes: Your team from EMS to attending MD will already be at your back to help you out.

OB is waaayyyy easier than you think it will be. If you can doppler a pedal pulse, you can doppler a fetal heartbeat. If they need much more, they go to the obstetrics floor. Very rarely will you have to "catch" a baby. If it happens, so many people will be there to help you won't have any question of what you need to do. They'll be telling you.

In other words, you got this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

I would be honest with the hiring manager, and if they can tell you a plan for how they expect to bring you up to speed and that plan alleviates your concerns then I'd go for it. You will be surprised at how fast you pick your pace back up to where it was before you took your break.

As NurseOnAMotorcycle said, it's in everyone's best interest for them to train you up to the point where your safe and able to do what your patients and facility will need done.

Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in a similar situation..interviewed for an ER position a little over a week ago..the Director says she is moving forward with an offer and will be hearing from HR sometime this week..I too have never worked w/PEDs, OB or taken the certifications (though I do have ACLS). I'm hoping the formal offer will come on through and from there..I plan to follow a lot of the advise on here - ask questions, ask for help and take it from there. :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion