Had never considered the ER but....

Specialties Emergency

Published

I have worked in Med Surg for 7 years with a certification in geriatrics (ugh). I left for one year to work for an ID group but realized i missed the hospital too much and didn't like working in an office!! The only job I could get in the hospital was back in a med/surg floor. I was just offered a full time ER position , day shift in a brand new 100 million dollar renovated ER 40 minutes closer to my house hospital !! Same company and the hospital where I originally started my career....so....it all sounds great...except yes, I am in my 40's and I am experienced enough to know the ER is totally different and I will once again , be the NEW inexperienced kid on the block....hate that feeling again...however, also HATE the hours of charting on med/surg floor and the 2 techs to 32 patients and blah blah ....feeling like a med dispenser rather than a nurse ..etc...so change doesn't sound so bad...Just afraid of not having enough knowledge since i know i will have to get my telemetry certification, my ACLS, and PALS....thoughts anyone...???????

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

I'm not a nurse yet, but My thoughts are that you will be new, but not inexperienced as a nurse, just in the ER setting. Yes, ER is a whole different animal, but you aren't a new nurse, and that is going to make a lot of difference, I think. It sounds like an awesome opportunity, and I think you should jump on it! 40 is the new 30!

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thanks....!! The manager called me back and I had to give her an answer...I accepted!! excited and Nervous!! Thought my days of being nervous were done...but I guess NOT!!

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Congratulations!

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Specializes in ER.

I came to ER later in my career, after varied experience. I've enjoyed the learning curve and the change. It's a fun, irreverent group of co-workers, and the clientele are extremely entertaining, to say the least.

Yes, you will be a newbie again. I was in my 50s when I made the switch, so it's never to late. I was bored with working the floors, didn't like the claustrophobia of the ICU, and wanted the variety that the ED offers.

I don't regret making the change!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

You are a MedSurg Veteran -- you can do ANYTHING!! Srsly, I am in awe. You may not realize how 'expert' you actually are.

The amount of knowledge you have acquired is perfectly transferable to the ED. All you have to learn is the new routines & procedures... the people are the same. You will be much more likely to remain cool, calm & collected because there is probably not much you haven't seen or had to deal with. Differentiating 'fake' from real seizures - check. Severe asthma - check. Impending stroke - check. Bleeding from pretty much any orifice - check. Hysterical family - check, check, check... you see?

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Specializes in Emergency Department; Neonatal ICU.

I couldn't get to the bottom of this thread fast enough to tell you to take the job ... then I saw that you did! Congrats! You will not regret it. I went to the ED after starting in the neonatal ICU - so think, essentially new grad again :) I made it and love it. You will do great for all the reasons already well stated by HouTx. Good luck.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I would jump on it too as you did, congrats!

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I started ER at age 38 (2nd career) and it's the best choice I have ever made. I drive a long way to get to work. A new facility owned by my same very large hospital opened up 5 minutes away and I love ED so much I won't leave. It will be scary, but study at home and you will do well . What I like best about older nurses is the great amount of life experience and common sense that comes with being older. Study labs, meds and "what to look for" on most common reasons patient come to ED: chest pain, abdominal pain in different quadrants, P.E., ectopic pregnancy, asthma, seizures, broken bones, head injuries on blood thinners, stroke etc. CONGRATULATIONS!! I hope you love it. Just a warning, it takes about 2 years in ED to feel like a truly effective and safe nurse.

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Thank you for your words of encouragement!! Can't tell you how mud better I felt after reading your post! Thank you...truly

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Again, Thank you everyone. Just waiting for official offer from HR before I give my notice to my current job....waiting...lol...hard part begins...

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Congrats. I've been an ER RN for 6 months now and I enjoy it. I was an lpn for 3 years previously and I think that helped me a fair amount, but 7 years of med-surg is excellent experience despite ER being a different type of animal. Good luck.

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