ER nursing as new grad

[pumpkin]

I will be graduating in December and am considering applying as an RN in the ER. However, I'm a little nervous that I won't be able to think quick enough to handle certain situations. I don't even feel prepared to work on a regular floor, let alone a fast-paced environment. Are there any new ER nurses out there, and would you recommend it as a first job?

[newfloridaRN]

Hey all. I have to play there other side here. I'm a new RN in an ER- very busy, very TOURIST-y area. I participated in an ER-RN internship program, where i was paired with a preceptor for 16 weeks of clinical, along with classroom work. I am on my own now, and the ANM's say I'm doing great. They lead me into it slowly- first just doing assignments that are not trauma or code related. They weren't assigning me to code rooms at first so I could just stand back and watch- or start the IV's, or do chest compressions- just see how it works. I come from ZERO ER experience, other than 18 weeks in nursing school as my perceptorship. I think I'm doing fairly well now= handling Acute Mi's to codes, to Stroke Alerts and I'm doing just fine on my own. Granted, we have a great team in our ER and other nurses are always there to back me up. I say if you want to go right for ER, DO IT. I would never have been happy going to med/surg or another area. Just find a hospital with a great internship/orientation program. Any questions, send an email. Good luck from one new ER RN to a hopeful one! :)

[lauritasol]

Hey,

I am so glad to have found this thread! I was an EMT/Medic in the Army for 4 years, and am now in nursing school. I want to work in the ER/ED as I already know I LOVE it! I have worked as a patient care tech in CCU, MED/SURG and in the Army I also worked in post-op and OB/GYN (different floor divisions in the military). Out of all the locations I have worked, I still like the ED the best and feel that is the best fit for me. However, I have talked with several hospitals and they feel new grads should not work there. I just do not want to go to a department that I will not like or not be as happy in - longing to go to the ED. I have a friend that graduated last year from our BSN program and she now works in Dallas in the ED. They did not make her go through med/surg first, and she even got a $5000 sign on bonus. I am kind of nervous now about graduating, because I do not want to be forced into something I don't want to do just to be able to be employed. Hopefully it will all work out!

Orca1, I would love to talk to you more. You can email me anytime at [email protected].

Laura :rotfl:

[LongCoolNurse]

I'm graduating in a little over a week, and I've already been offered (& have accepted) an ED position. I have no ED experience, but I am currently working in a doctor's office where we often treat patients that would otherwise go to the ED. Everyone is different; obviously some learn faster than others & can handle the stress & demands. It should be up to you & the ED manager to decide if you're ready. I can see both sides of the equation, but I am very happy with my choice! Good luck!

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

I used to be very much for new grads in the ER, and I still am DEPENDING on the person. I went into ER right out of nursing school, and felt comfortable relatively quickly-I love ER and don't think I'd even consider working anywhere else.

That said, it all depends on the nurse-some will come right out of school and be amazing ER nurses; there are some who attempt it who shouldn't. I think anyone considering ER needs to take a realistic look at what kind of person they are and how that will fit being thrown into such a chaotic place as a brand new nurse.