First nursing position! SWAT!

[jakefromstatefarm]

Hello! I just graduated in August, and passed the NCLEX (1st try with ALL 265 questions!) on September 23rd. I have been in close contact with one of the nurse recruiters at one of the hospitals in my town. I applied for one position, interviewed, and got a call today that they selected.... ME! I am so happy and grateful for this oppurtunity!

This position is a SWAT nurse position. I was given a brief explanation during the interview of what a SWAT nurse does. I'm still really nervous, I feel like I haven't gotten enough skills experience in nursing school. My question is, what IS a SWAT nurse? Anyone out there holding this title (or anyone for that matter!) that can give me some tips or words of advice? I'm super excited and super terrified! Thanks in advance!

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

I think that SWAT nurses take care of patients when they are being transferred to different facilities. Mostly critical patients. It's like a cross between EMT and RN. I think.

Would love to hear from you after you start and can give us more information. I think it's a pretty new specialty, you are lucky to have gotten in as a new grad!

[annie.rn]

It might be a little different at every hospital but here's an article I found.

http://www.americannursetoday.com/swat-nursing-a-unique-specialty/

What a great opportunity! I wouldn't be too worried about your lack of experience. They know you are a new grad so they must be expecting to train you. Looks like SWAT nurses are Critical Care nurses so you will need to be provided a thorough preceptorship in that area.

Best of luck!