Experienced RN, New to ER

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Nov 25, 2012

congrats! While on orientation try to get exposed to everything. Just get back into that student role, and be excited to do anything new. Going to ER it is so different from floor work, very fast paced and task based. They will probably give you some type of cheat sheet about common complaints and the work ups that go with them. They will expect you to gather specimens before the doc sees them, and many places put orders in based on protocols. Just be open and helpful-and you will do great! After your orientation you can start to read the CEN text that goes over a lot of ER common complaints, etc to help broaden your knowledge.

good luck!

feline.paws · Nov 26, 2012

The time management you learned from med surg will help when you transition to the fast paced Ed.you will just have to learn how to work with three to four different patients at a time with different cases...

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2012

Try using the search tool in the upper right corner of the screen to find similar posts that have lots of good information in them as this topic has been discussed before.

Other than that, my advice to you is that you never underestimate the patient's condition. Its been my experience that folks who transfer from med/surg often have trouble with the varying acuity of patients in the ER.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2012

Try using the search tool in the upper right corner of the screen to find similar posts that have lots of good information in them as this topic has been discussed before.
Other than that, my advice to you is that you never underestimate the patient's condition. Its been my experience that folks who transfer from med/surg often have trouble with the varying acuity of patients in the ER.

I am not a "med-surg" nurse per see, I am in the float pool at my hospital. I do float to the ER, however I only take pts that are awaiting in patient beds, and not actual ER pts. So I do get to see some of the business and such that goes on in the ER.

Guest219794 · Nov 27, 2012

Hey all. I have been an RN for 4 years, and have just accepted a position to transfer to the ER at my facility. My background is primarily peds as well as adult med-surg/IMC. I was told on interview to expect a 2 month orientation, as well as having to take a 3 month long class on the care of critical care patients.
Any advice ya'll have for a new ER nurse would be appreciated. :)

Your Peds experience will be particularly valued. Lot's of ER nurses who don't do a lot of peds are intimidated by sick kids. I am, and really appreciate when an experienced peds RN is around to help me.

DC Collins, ASN · Nov 28, 2012

As said above, your time-management skills will be useful. But if you get a chance, watch an ED nurse do a quick *focused* assessment. And watch one d/c a pt. Even better is if you can shadow (ask the manager(s) if you can do so on your own time) and ED nurse to get a sense of it before you even start.

DC :-)

ER Soldire · Nov 30, 2012

Congrats on your new role! Just remember to prioritize and like someone else stated above, do not underestimate any pts condition.

maverickemt · Dec 1, 2012

I am a BSN RN for almost 5 years now. I have done a lot of med/surg, neuro, and ortho. I have all my life support and TNCC. I was told by a few people in the ENA that I need TNCC to talk the lingo in the ER. I am an ACLS instructor. I also have military deployment experience....Any advice on getting into an ER without any previous ED experience in Texas preferably? If there are any ED directors or recruiters on this site, please feel free to chime in. I have about two years left of a 4 year commitment in the military. Thanks for the advice.

Maverick

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN · Dec 3, 2012

Apply for the job. You don't have to have TNCC to get the job and it sounds like you have good experience. Good luck!