Help ER Nurses

Specialties Travel

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Specializes in ER, Pedi ER, Newborn Nursery/NICU, DI.

So I have been a pediatric ER nurse for 2 years and just starting to travel. The company that I am working with asked if I am comfortable working in an adult ER. I have ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC, and NRP. I feel comfortable working in an adult ER becuase I have the basic knowledge down but I just don't have the clinical experience with adults. One thing is all the different drugs that adults are on. I also know that 80% of kids are seen in regular non-children's ER. So I know I will get a pediatric patient here and there. So does anyone have any advice that they could give me going to an adult ER?

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I say go for it. Don't fret too much about not knowing adult drugs very well. That just comes with experience. Buy a pocket reference (my favorite hands down is the Emergency and Critical Care: Pocket Guide ACLS Version by Paula Derr. I think the latest version is 2006 but it's still the best one. Don't be timid about looking something up. I carry mine in my shirt pocket every day and I'm a very experienced ER nurse.

Don't worry about being expected to run an adult code (but you'll be an asset for sure during a peds code!) Most ER nurses are intimidated by really sick peds and we want to transfer them to people like you as fast as we can.

Your base experience is very good. You'll find that you'll pick up the adult treatment environment quickly. Just be sure to be humble while you're learning and you'll trigger the natural teacher that's in every ER nurse.

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Be very honest with the person that will interview you over the phone on what your experience is.

Just because an agency asks what you are comfortable with or can you do, does not mean that a facility will hire you for that area without having experience in it to begin with.

Just being realistic here. Agencies may hire you, but they need to market you to the facility and the facility needs to accept you before you will be given a contract.

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I say go for it. You will find that you are stronger with adults than you realize. You will never know all the drugs etc... that's what the resource materials are for. I think facilities are also interested in a person who is willing to learn and flexible and have a base of experience to draw from.

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Specializes in ER, Pedi ER, Newborn Nursery/NICU, DI.

Thank you to all of you. I got the job and I am excited. Starting next week. You made me feel much better about this new adventure. haha I did get some critical care software downloaded to my pocket pc. I never had an interview by the facility but my recruiter told them my background. She seemed like they didn't care and that they would work with me. So i am going for it and can't wait!

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no interview that would scare me a little bit thats how you find out more information about the hospital the department your working in the area in general. the people at the hospital know more about the area than your company will i would at least want to talk to the manager just to get some basic info from them because remember what your recuriter tells you and what the hospital wants and expects could be two different things.

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