ER nursing material

libran1984, ASN, RN · Aug 25, 2011

First off, I JUST got hired 4 weeks ago for the ER (non-trauma) in, perhaps, one of the most beautiful hospitals my state has to offer!

I'm an LPN (just 8 months out of school) and here is what I did.

1. The hospital had an email list that sent out notification emails when a job matched your criteria. My particular criteria was "LPN"... anything to get out of my current job at the prison (literally a prison nurse). I checked my email one day, went to surf on the web, went back to my email within minutes and BAM!!! There was an LPN job opportunity for the Emergency Department. B/c I had applied previously to this hospital all of my past resume info had been saved, I needed only to tweak it. (I am absolutely sure I was one of the first people to submit my resume to the online application system)

2. I know, for a fact, I was the very first person to be interviewed for 1 of 3 possible LPN positions from over 100 candidates. I spent $140 dollars on a new suit and the most appropriate fitting clothing. I spent another $28 dollars on just creating my resume BINDER or/ creating my "curriculum vitae" as I guess??? its called.

This resume was a binder on the most firm and brightest white paper I could find. When people opened this 1/2" binder it had a table of contents (ToC). The ToC was divided by tabs. Tab 1 contained a brief 1 page summary of everything my resume would contain and what I had learned from each. It was very difficult containing it all to just 3/4ths of a page.

My second tab (Tab II) was my resume and had 2 pages of full resume material including things I had done in nursing school, my past clinicals, and of course the mandatory "religious" thing. I've noticed, a person doesn't seem to get far without either (1) experience or (2) a touch of religion displayed in their life. I personally made my ending resume quote, "God gave us 2 ears and one mouth so we could listen twice as much as we speak."

that quote gave me my push.

My Third Tab provided my availability, "I am available for any and all shifts. I have a very flexible schedule and am available for overtime opportunities." In addition, it included a multi-colored Word document Table of references (most of which were people in management positions above me).

My fourth Tab provided my certifications in BLS CPR, ALA TB, and First Aide. The certification cards were copied all on one page with both front and back sides included. (It took several attempts with my color copier to line that stuff up right).

My Fifth tab included letters of recommendations. I had a best friend who is a doctor of pharmacy write me a letter expressing his confidence in my knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

I also had a previous employer write a letter expressing my educational and public relations skills to the general public when discussing sexually transmitted diseases (as that I was an outreach coordinator for a grass roots HIV prevention non-profit organization while in nursing school).

My sixth tab included my LISTED 5 and 10 year goals. Most of them, I made up or just dream of. I have a hard enough time just imagining getting my ASN RN, let alone my BSN RN. But I am fairly certain I'll have a BSN at some point..... but as for my MSN.... I said that in 10 years I hope for my MSN, but truthfully, I'd not be surprised if I stopped after my BSN or if my BSN became part of my 10 year. I have problems planning for the future. But seriously... ALWAYS list a 5 / 10 year goal with its own dedicated page. I knew I wanted to ALWAYS work in a fast pace and intense environment. The ER was for me!

My 7th and final page included my past awards.... I received a scholarship for $500 dollars thanks to my work in HIV prevention. It was one of my proudest moments of my life and I included the letter in my resume.

Two weeks into my new ER job, I got pulled aside by the records lady who files all the resumes, nursing records, etc and she said I had the most beautiful and professional resume she had ever seen in her 15 years of working that job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!

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Finally, come prepared to the interview should you obtain one with questions like.... OR be prepared to answer questions like.....

"what do you consider good customer service"... I actually thought my interview was going so badly this was the only one I could think of to rebuttle back at my interviewers. It left them speechless... one manager said "I always hope to be honest." and the other manager said, "Ditto".

I laughed at the second manager and said, "Great Answer!! Sounds like something I would say."

Another question I was prepared to be asked, but not one I would ask is, "How many people do you think come through the ER seeking drugs?"

Its at least one person every shift.... maybe more. Even worse are the people who don't want drugs but are merely ignorant. the LPN role at my ER is to deal with the BS problems like "i'm having anxiety" ... " My child has a blister".... "I am feeling dizzy".... "My husband cut his knee".... "I've been congested for two weeks"... and so on. The RN's get the big stuff like strokes, MI's, STEMI's, etc. Sadly, most of the ER stuff for both RN and LPN are that mickey-mouse kind stuff.... in addition to the drug seekers. (Its funny... my ohter job is at a prison, and sometimes I see my newly released offender in the ER c/o back pain that can't be proven only to be really looking for percocets or something- true story).

---- I wish you AMAZING luck!!!!!!! Make sure you bring something to the interview to leave a lasting impression. Your smile will not cut it. It must be tangible and firm!

PS- the ER is paying for my ACLS cert, my PALS, and my CPI!!! 3 extra certs for free!!!

KaringOne · Aug 25, 2011

I'm interested in becoming an ER nurse. Ive taken a basic EKG class and am singing up for ACLS. My floor is now becoming remote tele so that will help.
I wanted to prepare a bit better and get a nursing ER book but which one would you guys recommend? And why?
Also is there anything that can give me an edge when applying for ER positions?
Thanks![/quote
How about "Fast Facts for the ER Nurse: Emergency Room Orientation in a Nutshell" ?
PM me & I'll just give u a copy...