Got a job as a er rn as a new grad

Published

  1. ER or nurse residency program

    • 5
      WORK AS AN ER RN NOW
    • 2
      START WITH NURSE RESIDENCY

7 members have participated

Hello everyone ! I'm a new grad nurse who recently got a job offer at the ER (not a residency program)!!! I also applied to some nurse residency programs and am still waiting to hear back from them.

Should I start off in a nurse residency program or take this job offer at the ER ?

any advice would be appreciated ! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

What kind of orientation did the ER offer you? How big is the ER/number of beds? Community hospital or trauma center? Does the department have a dedicated educator? More questions than answers, sorry!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are 132 beds in the ER and it's a trauma center. And yes they have a dedicated educator. For 2 weeks orientation on the computers and floor then the rest few months with couple preceptors (I get to switch off with whom I like working with the best).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

What is a nurse residency program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
What is a nurse residency program?

Usually a longer orientation that starts with general nursing concepts for a number of weeks, then puts you in a specific "track" based upon the area where you'll be working. That's how I've seen them work, anyway. Our hospital has a residency program that is several weeks in length (12? 16?) before the new grads even go to their units for precepting.

OP, depending on how many months are a "few," it sounds like it might be doable. But with a large trauma center, a risk inherent to just doing a plain orientation are getting taken off of orientation too soon because they need the bodies to fill the schedule. I've seen that happen. Make sure they guarantee the length of your preceptorship, and ask if they will give you additional precepted time if you are not ready at the end of your orientation period. Sometimes those places can kind of be meat grinders for new grads. If they seem supportive, it might be a good risk. Good luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

I guess it's a matter of how much stress you can endure. Most new grads don't have a lot of practical experience as their clinical hours leave much to be desired. You will be expected to pick up those skills quickly and become an independently functioning nurse as soon as possible. A regular orientation in a large trauma center will probably be just a ruse to push you to fill an open position.

A nurse residency program is generally a contract between you and the hospital in which they agree to train you to be one of their employees. Theory goes that they invest in you up front so you will become a long term employee and save them the expense of high turnover down the road.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion