ER Nurses!

[runningirl]

I'm an RN that has a year of Med Surg/Ortho experience. I've been currently working in a LTAC for a month now and I don't think it's for me. I have an interview for an ER position on Monday and I'm not sure what to expect. I've always wanted to be an ER nurse because I'd learn so much. In what ways is ER nursing different from floor nursing. And how stressful would it be for a 23 year old newly licensed RN?? Thanks!

[twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Best thing would be to shadow in the ER for about 4-8 hours during a busy time of day and during the time of day you would be working. I think your ortho experience would be very valuable to the ER.

[paddlelady, BSN, RN]

Well, I worked Trauma and ER when I was that age. The biggest thing they asked me is how do you function under x-treme stress. They asked me my strenghts and what I was interested in and what I would bring to the ER.

I think being younger helped. I was willing to learn, fast on my feet and ready for about anything that flew in the door and that is what happens in a County hospital ER and trauma. Being ACLS certified helps but hopefully they will send you to a training if you are not already certified. Reading EKG montiors is a plus and working as a team memeber and individually helps in this situation. Knowing your meds and protocols for emergent situation being able to triage and work profectly and make proper decisions in life threatening situations.

Have I scared you away.

Good luck

Paddlady:yeah:

[MikeyBSN]

The ED is different from floor nursing. I agree with the above posters, that they will probably ask you how you respond under pressure. You have to think quick on your feet, and your assessment skills must be sharp enough to quickly recognize a life-threatening situation. Your assessment skills are all you will have; you will not know the labs of your patient, you won't know their K level, you won't know if they have a pneumonia because they have not had an x-ray yet, you won't know if the guy EMS just brought in is just drunk or hypoglycemic ect. I agree, that you need to brush up on your ACLS, PALS (if your ED sees kids), and EKG skills. You should know how to recognize basic, serious arrhythmia and ST-Elevation MI's. ED nursing is a lot of running around, and a lot of clinical work. You will start all the inital IV's, put in the foleys, access the ports, pass the NG tubes ect. Despite what some people might tell you, you will have to learn how to let the lady with a finger laceration wait because EMS just wheeled an asthma patient into your section. It's not feasable to have 1:1 ratio so that every patient gets treated the second they come in. Your background will be very helpful. Show them you can take some initative. Most ED docs will expect you to be fairly autonomous. Stay calm during the interview, show them your "cool." Good luck future ED nurse!