Good opportunity...so why the teacher backlash?

[RKRobbins]

Ok...Great news first! I applied to one of our local ED's and was told the job is mine..just pass my NCLEX.

Well ER nursing is something I absolutely love..I love the fast pace, tend to think fast on my feet and I truly think deep down in my gut that this is a good fit for myself. NOW I KNOW I will still have a TON to learn and it won't be roses all the time and it will be difficult but I understand that and totally readily accept the challenge.

Well...I have an instructor who happens to know I interviewed and that it went well. So here lately I swear I think they are upset about it...I have heard backhanded comments about how new grads don't have any business there...and no you don't have to learn that because y'all wont start out in the ED.

First I think by limiting our education bc you don't think we will start there is absolutely ridiculous! I mean emergency care can happen any where in the hospital! I want to learn everything I can and especially while I am still in the "safety" of school, but attitudes like that just kill me! And side note... I came home and figured out exactly what the care should have been for that situation so ha! you can't stop learning...you would think the teacher would encourage it.

I am just absolutely sick of being held to a "professional" standard that my instructor isn't held to aswell. If you don't think I can do it that's fine with me...most of my life I have been told I couldn't do things so it only makes me that much more determined. BUT if you got the kahunas to say some back handed smart mouth comment and giggle about it then why not just come out and say something like a real nurse because like most nurses I don't have time for the bs.

Ok that's my rant...sorry

[MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN]

Congratulations on your job in the ED!

Your nursing instructors may be concerned that you will not get what you need as a basis for nursing. While I agree that new nurses can succeed in the ER; I have also seen some pretty spectacular failures. It depends on your ability to learn, your preceptor and the education program provided.

I started in the ER, but had done a floor internship for 14 weeks that provided much of the regular nursing information that was not taught in the ER. You think you will remember from your nursing clinicals, but this information will fade as time goes on.

While you can always relearn tasks, there is nothing like having done it enough to keep it firmly in your memory or at least enough so you can fumble through.

My suggestion for you is to always do what is right, do not follow a preceptor blindly, if you didn't do it don't chart (PERRLA, lung sounds, belly sounds), Keep your nursing drug book handy and know why you are giving meds(doctors make mistakes especially in computer charting), always ask questions, find a mentor, and keep self-educating. The ER can be very hard and unlike the floor-patient flow never stops.

The fun of it is you never know what's coming next, the danger of it is you never know what's conming next...if you like this kind of craziness then the ER may be a perfect spot for you.

Maisy

[Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN]

I started in the ED of a Level 1 Trauma Center. I worked on weekends with a charge nurse two months before graduation. If they want you, you've got the self confidence and decision making skills they like. Go for it, but beware it will be a roller coaster some nights. Good Luck!