Getting a job in the ER when you don't have experience

[Jessica Krol]

It all became clear to me during my senior year in nursing school. I was placed in the emergency room at ECHN (Manchester) where I found my niche. I've always had a passion for helping those in need and the emergency room allowed me to put my high energy, adrenaline seeking self to good use.

I graduated in May of 2012 and accepted my one and only job offer as a Chronic Hemodialysis nurse in August (2012). While it was not my dream position, I took the opportunity to develop my nursing skills and touch as many patients as possible. I made it my goal each shift to not only learn something new, but also teach my patients something that could contribute to their health and quality of life. I believe in continuous self-improvement and making the most out of each therapeutic interaction.

After 1+ year working in Dialysis, I am looking to switch specialties. I left my job in Dialysis in October (2013) to take care of some things at home. It wasn't a difficult decision because I began to feel unsafe in my position there- a charge RN had falsely documented and attempted to save her butt by throwing the grad nurse under the bus (My documentation saved me, yet I continued to have to work under her)- it just wasn't a good environment and the lack of integrity even further swayed my decision. It seemed like a good time to make a change.

Long story short, I know that I want to spend my career in the ED and so I'm trying to take the necessary actions to make myself more employable. I would love suggestions!

I'm ACLS certified and I am taking the steps to increase my emergency nursing knowledge through the TNCC (anticipated completion October of 2013), and sitting for the Board Certified Emergency Nurse Exam (CEN) this December. I've contacted HR and volunteer services for shadowing opportunities as well. I want experience and it's not about the money- any suggestions on how to get some experience would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Hopeful Nurse

Ps- I've created a poll... receiving so many rejection letters is beginning to chip away at my hopes... Would you hire me? If not, why? Constructive criticism welcome!

[DavidDudley]

I'm personally not convinced that spending significant amounts of money on certifications will necessarily tip the odds in your favor. But if your able to afford it then do it. But unless you have strong connections then your more likely to get a ED job by positioning yourself to be at the right place at the right time when a hospital has a dire need to hire someone without experience.

That being said, the key to getting what you want is contingent upon 1. how flexible you are with broadening your horizons with the amount of hospitals you can apply for (someone who applies for hospitals nationwide has a way better chance than someone who just sticks to a 60 mile radius of their home) and 2. having enough discipline to consistently follow up with every hospital you apply for.

The hospital that I currently work at initially declined me 1.5 years ago since they only wanted people with experience. But because I kept in constant contact with people on the inside, I got them at the right time when they were in dire need for staff and I was hired immediately.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

They are probably looking that you have no acute care experience. I would look into getting your foot in the door in an acute care facility.....you might also look at ENPC before the CEN

[FFEMTRNED, BSN, MSN, EMT-P]

It all depends on the hospital. I got a job as a new grad with Medstar WHC (washington dc) in the ED. WHC routinely hires new grads no problem - in my group of 6 for this hiring phase (there's about 4 a year), 5 of us are new grads. Whereas my old community hospital (which was honestly my first choice), I wasn't able to get a job in the ED even after working there as a tech for 3 years.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

It really is being in the right place at the right time. I would also broaden your area and make sure you have top references. I know getting into ERs peopled loved that I was on a squad. This helped me out a lot. Look for any positions in your state and apply to them all.