ER nursing or med surg?!

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Hi there!

I have been a nurse about three years, I have only worked in memory care/ALF and some rehab/SNF. I have finally applied for some hospital jobs and actually got an offer from an ER in my area. I shadowed there today and really enjoyed it...my lack of confidence just really plummeted when I saw how much I don't know :( all the nurses told me I would have a long orientation and that I would learn it over time.

My dilemma is... that when I started applying I got a little apply crazy and now have a few interviews on a med surg floor at another hospital tomorrow. I really enjoyed the ER and need to give them an answer by Friday. I don't want to miss this opportunity in the ER but what I am wondering is if I am putting myself at a disadvantage starting in the ER with no hospital experience?

Really need advice on this...

In my opinion, your lack of hospital experience puts both positions on a level playing field. Either way, you're going to get a long orientation that will make up for your lack of experience. You already have the time management skills that will go a long way on either floor. At this point, I think it's just really a matter of where you want to be, ER or MEDSURG. Best of luck!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency.

I had a year in med surg before transitioning to the ED and I still felt like I knew nothing. I had a 12 week orientation and still ask a lot of questions. If you liked the ED and the environment is supportive, go for it!!

Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
Hi there!

I have been a nurse about three years, I have only worked in memory care/ALF and some rehab/SNF. I have finally applied for some hospital jobs and actually got an offer from an ER in my area. I shadowed there today and really enjoyed it...my lack of confidence just really plummeted when I saw how much I don't know :( all the nurses told me I would have a long orientation and that I would learn it over time.

My dilemma is... that when I started applying I got a little apply crazy and now have a few interviews on a med surg floor at another hospital tomorrow. I really enjoyed the ER and need to give them an answer by Friday. I don't want to miss this opportunity in the ER but what I am wondering is if I am putting myself at a disadvantage starting in the ER with no hospital experience?

Really need advice on this...

The good news is that you are not a new grad; you've had some experience. Nothing against new grads; I am none of those who feels a new grad can start in an ER. But I digress...I do not think you are putting yourself at a disadvantage. Full disclosure though...I am a die hard ER nurse who started out as a new grad there. I say go for the ER. Either unit will be challenging, so what is your passion? Those ER nurses are correct. No one expects you to know everything. Even experienced nurses navigate a steep learning curve when changing specialties. Good luck and have fun!

Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

I shouldn't answer, but I will... ER

WHY? ( because I would work in a Leper Colony on Mars, before I worked any floor)

I am glad I did Medsurg/tele before critical care. Mostly, I say, find a place that has excellence in nurse education and support. Find a thriving, healthy environment in which to grow and learn. Sadly, this can indeed be a challenge. Also, depending upon the ED, it is crazy enough (so can MS be crazy at times), so if you don't go to a place with a good and supportive education/mentoring/precepting system in place, you may well get burned in the fire of ED craziness. If you are in an inner city; it's just the nature of the ED beast. Personally, my new recommendation to nurses is to not only meet with the manager of a particular unit and shadow with nurses there--and for more than 2 hours; b/c that will not get you what you need to know. I encourage people to interview with the Nurse Educator of the unit. Get a feel for this person, how much they have on their plate, how organized is the system of didactic and clinical education, and try to find out what their systems of evaluation of progress are--how objectively they are structured and worded. Get a feel for the particular culture of the unit; which will probably take more than one or two exposures, if you can do so. Go in with your eyes wide open, and see if they are structured and have the integrity to set new nurse hires up for success or not--whether it is based on more objective measures or capricious measures that can be so loose that your evaluation could mean anything anyone wants it to mean. I have lived and worked in this field a very long time. Shop hard for these things--even if it means your better off working nightshift for a while. If you are competent, ethical, and motivated, your new position should be willing to invest as much into you and you are investing into it. Nurses have to get and stay smart and strong about this. When they do this more consistently, in mass, ours will be a healthier, happier profession. But go where you will be challenged but also wisely and supportively moved toward success. It is very discouraging to invest in a position, only to realize that they are not really able or don't really desire to also, in good faith, invest in you. It's your education, license, and livelihood. Don't let any system ruin what you have worked hard to obtain. At the same time, give your absolute best, listen well to your preceptors, and be a smart, ethical nurse. Good luck.

Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
I am glad I did Medsurg/tele before critical care. Mostly, I say, find a place that has excellence in nurse education and support. Find a thriving, healthy environment in which to grow and learn. Sadly, this can indeed be a challenge. Also, depending upon the ED, it is crazy enough (so can MS be crazy at times), so if you don't go to a place with a good and supportive education/mentoring/precepting system in place, you may well get burned in the fire of ED craziness. If you are in an inner city; it's just the nature of the ED beast. Personally, my new recommendation to nurses is to not only meet with the manager of a particular unit and shadow with nurses there--and for more than 2 hours; b/c that will not get you what you need to know. I encourage people to interview with the Nurse Educator of the unit. Get a feel for this person, how much they have on their plate, how organized is the system of didactic and clinical education, and try to find out what their systems of evaluation of progress are--how objectively they are structured and worded. Get a feel for the particular culture of the unit; which will probably take more than one or two exposures, if you can do so. Go in with your eyes wide open, and see if they are structured and have the integrity to set new nurse hires up for success or not--whether it is based on more objective measures or capricious measures that can be so loose that your evaluation could mean anything anyone wants it to mean. I have lived and worked in this field a very long time. Shop hard for these things--even if it means your better off working nightshift for a while. If you are competent, ethical, and motivated, your new position should be willing to invest as much into you and you are investing into it. Nurses have to get and stay smart and strong about this. When they do this more consistently, in mass, ours will be a healthier, happier profession. But go where you will be challenged but also wisely and supportively moved toward success. It is very discouraging to invest in a position, only to realize that they are not really able or don't really desire to also, in good faith, invest in you. It's your education, license, and livelihood. Don't let any system ruin what you have worked hard to obtain. At the same time, give your absolute best, listen well to your preceptors, and be a smart, ethical nurse. Good luck.

Wonderful advice.

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