Getting assigned to the ED

[ImThatGuy]

I'm in a position to start a RN/BSN program next month. I've got all the prereqs from a previous B.S. degree and have spent most of my working years as a police officer, and I'm still in law enforcement. I've also worked off and on, in a part-time basis, as a paramedic.

That said, I've been exposed to nurses in a wide variety of work setting particularly back in medic school. I'm interested in being an emergency nurse, but I can't envision myself working in another area. Would you think based on the above work history that I would be hired as a nurse in the emergency department? I realize it's putting the cart before the horse, but I'd hate to finish and be pushed into a rehab position or something (no offense to anyone) just because I'm the new guy.

I've been a supervisor (have hired and fired) and know what I'd do in the above situation, but I don't know if hospital supervisors necessarily think the same way I do.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

Each nurse has their preference....Er is my worst nightmare....yuck. lol , But that is the beauty of nursing. I think with your experience you can get there sooner than later.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

As far as I can tell, noise is the big issue. Tasers seem like they'd be perfectly acceptable! FYI, for several years I've applied to the ANA to make "retroactive abortion" an acceptable nursing order. No replies yet, I guess the requests got lost in the mail.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

What a wuss! Here in Southern NM we use pepper spray on our food.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

How would admin feel about me bringing my TASER?

I know you meant this as a joke, but once at the ER I work at, security was called to control a belligerent psych patient. Their tasers didn't work. Wouldn't be a bad idea to carry one, if it works.

[HiHoCherry-O]

What a wuss! Here in Southern NM we use pepper spray on our food.

HaHaHa!!!! I am originally from New Mexico. Was just there over the last weekend; stuffed my carryon with as much green chili as I could! Not to mention shipped some red chili, posole, and chicos. Yummm.

As for the OP, I don't think you will have any trouble finding a position in the ED. I was a paramedic before going to nursing school. You will have a big head start! It's ironic, my husband and I met when he was also a paramedic. Now he is a cop and would never go back to medicine!

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

Ex-police? We need you in our hospital's ER! Fancy relocating to South Africa...?

[Dexture]

Some hospitals do hire New nurses for ED positions. They have to take ACLS and a critical nurse course in most cases. Good luck

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I know you meant this as a joke, but once at the ER I work at, security was called to control a belligerent psych patient. Their tasers didn't work. Wouldn't be a bad idea to carry one, if it works.

There are some elements involved with that. An actual "stun gun" is crap. A TASER will work if used properly. Sometimes guys get overzealous with their use and see failure as a result. The leads have to be far enough apart to get good coverage. I'm a believer in them. They've worked for me and have fortunately kept me from having to shoot a couple different people.

I know an officer who used one inside a Walmart on a guy with the probes each landing in the guy's right bicep about three inches apart. According to the officer Mr. Thug looked down at the probes, back up at the officer, and said, "Is that **** supposed to hurt or something?" The fight then ensued, lol.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

HaHaHa!!!! I am originally from New Mexico. Was just there over the last weekend; stuffed my carryon with as much green chili as I could! Not to mention shipped some red chili, posole, and chicos. Yummm.

As for the OP, I don't think you will have any trouble finding a position in the ED. I was a paramedic before going to nursing school. You will have a big head start! It's ironic, my husband and I met when he was also a paramedic. Now he is a cop and would never go back to medicine!

I don't want to get out of the field entirely. It's literally addictive. I'm hoping to stay on as an auxillary or part-time officer somewhere. I guess I'm crazy, but I like having more than one job.

[Murse406]

I am a long time reader, first time poster. I am a new grad RN (May) and former LEO. I was welcomed with open arms into a busy ED. I also had experience as an Army medic. I definitely think that helped me. I tried to go through school with an open mind, even though I really didn't care for about 90% of the other areas (no offense). I guess it is in my blood. I think law enforcement experience can translate to the ER and all of nursing because you have to able to communicate with a wide variety of people from different cultures. As an LEO that comes pretty easy. I think the hard part is to convince some managerial types (not mine of course) that cops aren't like they are on TV, yelling at and beating suspects. I think you are making a good choice, I know I did. For the record, I'd rather get tased than sprayed with OC any day, it doesn't hurt as long.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I am a long time reader, first time poster. I am a new grad RN (May) and former LEO. I was welcomed with open arms into a busy ED. I also had experience as an Army medic. I definitely think that helped me. I tried to go through school with an open mind, even though I really didn't care for about 90% of the other areas (no offense). I guess it is in my blood. I think law enforcement experience can translate to the ER and all of nursing because you have to able to communicate with a wide variety of people from different cultures. As an LEO that comes pretty easy. I think the hard part is to convince some managerial types (not mine of course) that cops aren't like they are on TV, yelling at and beating suspects. I think you are making a good choice, I know I did. For the record, I'd rather get tased than sprayed with OC any day, it doesn't hurt as long.

Dang skippy on being tased. I've never even carried OC on my belt because I wanted to minimize my chance of exposure. Prior to the taser I just went with a baton.

I figure the police experience would be handy like you say because we've often dealt with the wide variety of patrons to the ER, plus when it comes to the argumentative and combative patients then that's just something we're used to as well. We're used to chaos and diversity.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I had a couple years of experience as a paramedic when I went to work in an ED as a tech; when I became an RN in 2008, I stayed on in the same ED (my job offer was "We're not letting you leave" ). As dthfytr said, with your experience, you'll be way ahead of the game in any ED.

As to the rest of the discussion ...

All I can say is, it has become rapidly apparent in my last couple of shifts that the moon is nearly full. Good grief.