ER-OPS New Grad

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

hi, everyone!!!! a little about me... i am a new grad nurse on an ops unit, which apparently falls under the er specialty (thanks traumarus for informing me). i choose this unit initially thinking it was a unique medical surgical unit with a fast turnover similar to the er because my goal was to be an emergency room nurse. now that i know it is not a medical surgical unit, i have dumb questions to ask of experienced nurses and recent new grads off of orientation.

first of all, does any one know of specialty focused time management resources to assist me to think as an er nurse? i know i need to think critically, that is a given, but i am from the "floors" originally and am used to a different routine.

also, as far as objectives, what should i be learning during my orientation period to ensure that i will be a safe nurse? my unit has objectives but they are vague because it is new. thus, i am allowed to come up with my own specific learning objectives.

last but not least my hospital has an outstanding new graduate program i will be attending with a six month orientation. during this time, what certifications should i receive that are a must?

by the way, i am happy to be joining you!!! i hope to make a long career in emergency nursing, though i am scared half to death!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

OK, let me reword my original request.... Does anyone have any advice to share with a New Grad in the ER??? For example, what learning goals should I be thinking of while orienting?? :wink2:

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

bump.

ok, i read the threads at the top of this forum and most geared towards new grads are of little to no help. they are either vague or state don't go into the er first, try something else. fyi-there only needs to be one thread that states “don't do it first...” not ten. on a brighter note, there was one that got into details and is helpful. however it is labeled "nursing student tips for er". although i think it is interesting that one poster wrote a detailed explanation of things a student nurse should be looking for, i think it is a good resource for anyone new to the er (well at least it is a start).

to any new grads that reads this thread, my advice is to look to the nurses and techs on your floor! don’t worry about asking too many questions so long as you have tried to get the information another way first. this shows that you are being proactive and humble. also, brush up on your skills because unlike other environments, you may find yourself primary nursing due to the lack of techs or because you have a full house all of a sudden.

in addition, time management is key on the floors it is key in the er. my biggest fear was that unlike the floors the er is unpredictable and if you have a system that works on the floors it will not work in the er. i found that to be untrue. if you have a system that works on the floors you can modify it to work in the er. the main idea is to at least have a time management system! that way, if you are “slammed” at one point in your shift, you will be able to recover better and quickly because you handled a lot of other tasks first.

last but not least, have a thick skin. you will be surprised how many nurses and docs in the er are out right jerks because they cannot handle stress! i don't care how much experience he/she has, some of the ones at my hospital are the most unprofessional junior-high-acting adults i have ever met (including my past patients with psych issues). this is the environment where nurses eat their young more so then any of the floors imo! so, if you understand this, don't take it personally and don't let their poor attitudes or behaviors get to you.... rise above it and them!

currently, i am still on orientation and studying for boards. i am adjusting well in my new position but i also have a background working as a nurse extern on med surg and ob floors, which i think is helping me a great deal. not to mention that although some of the er nurses are horrid for the most part, there are a few including the charge nurses that are laid back with good attitudes (i have attached myself to them).

if i have any more information to add to this thread or any others i will be sure to post. maybe we can start a new grad support thread? i will ask the powers that be on this forum, but i might have offended them since i did not care for most of the "helpful" stickies. i have to admit, i am spoiled by the stickies in the student forums and thus that is my basis for comparison.

-new grad