From Tele to ER Nursing... How to acclimate?

ER-RN2 · Mar 24, 2005

hi. i did exactly what you are talking about. i worked on a step-down unit / tele unit for a while and then went to the ER. i think that helped me in some sense-i knew a lot of the protocols when dealing with CP, etc etc. so i was good at all of that. the other stuff just came into place. everyone was always willing to show me what i needed and what to do next. take every class that you can find. it really doesn't hurt. ENPC and TNCC are the most important...just as ACLS and PALS

Hope that helps!!! if need more info...just PM me

rnbackagain · Mar 26, 2005

I too went straight to an ER position from a tele floor, and also agree it was a big help with the cardiac patients that came in or those complaining of chest pains. It also helped that I already knew how to start IVs (we started our own on the tele floor), and could read monitors. I was VERY overwhelmed the first 2 weeks or so mainly trying to remember where everything such as all the equipment you use was located. There were so many drawers!!! :chuckle I had a great preceptor, though, and that made a BIG difference with my adjustment. After I acclimated to the ER, I felt very good about myself, because I thought, if I can learn this, I can do anything!!!!

WVUturtle514 · Mar 27, 2005

I transferred to the ER from CTICU/CCU because I knew ER nursing was something I wanted to try before I started my CRNA program (I start in August 2005). Obviously the ER is a completely different world from the ICU and/or telemetry units, but there were two things that I had the hardest time getting adjusted to. #1 - I had to learn to realize that not all of the patients in the ER are sick. In the ICU I was used to taking care of 1-2 VERY sick patients and constantly monitoring them. I found that it was hard for me to let go of the fact that I do not have to continuously monitor my patients and that not all of my patients have to be on a monitor. I also wasn't used to the fact that these patients can actually walk and talk and do things for themselves....lol! #2 - The ICU/tele unit is much more organized than the ER. In the ICU I had a set schedule of when to do everything and I was used to that routine. In the ER I run around like a chicken with my head cut off because everytime you turn around there is something else that needs to be done. However, once I got past these little things, I found that the stuff I thought I would be lacking (i.e., peds, OB/GYN, trauma) was very easy to pick up on. I enjoy my ER now, but I think if I had it to do all over again, I would have stayed in the ICU b/c I felt that I had more autonomy and used my critical thinking skills a lot more.

TinyNurse, RN · Mar 28, 2005

congrats on going to ER nursing.!!!! I don't have alot of advice since you know tele......... but some advice a nurse gave me when i was a new ER nurse. "go with your gut"

lemme tell you that advice is never wrong especially in the ER!

Hrtnurse14 · Apr 7, 2005

Thank you all for your posts. I have been down in our ED for a little over a week now. Even though much of it has been class time some has been on the floor as an RN and some time helping the PCT's. I am really enjoying it. I'm sure some of it is going to take some getting used to but the staff and the docs have been very nice to me. I feel comfortable with my assessment skills and the meds. I mainly need help in Fast Track with peds and ortho stuff (UGH!) I forgot all about casting :chuckle . Anyways thanks to all