How to go upon being a RN in the E.R.

[CodyNunez]

Okay, so I'm a junior in High School and I've wanted to be a R.N. sing i started. I've taken Emergency Procedures, Medical Terminology, Health Science Principles( Part one, but part 2 will be next year due to scheduling problems) and I will be taking M.N.A(Medical Nursing Assistance) next year as a senior( a class only a senior can take). I will be a "completor" in Norton's Health Program. How do i go upon getting into the E.R. as a Nurse when i get out of High School?

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

1: Get into nursing school

2: While in nursing school, try to get your senior practicum/preceptorship in the ER so you get firsthand experience

2b: And/or try to get a job as a PCT/CNA in the ER for experience as well as networking opportunities

3: Graduate nursing school

4: Pass the NCLEX-RN

5: Apply for jobs in the ER. If you're lucky, you'll find a new grad program with an option of going into ER nursing

5b: Or if you can't get into the ER as a new grad, apply for med-surg, PCU, stepdown or other areas, get a year or two of RN experience, and then try to transfer to the ER

It's not going to happen overnight: you're looking at a few years' of school and work AFTER high school, so take it a step at a time. The first step is the most important: get into a nursing school--there's no other way to become a nurse.

And don't be surprised if you find yourself changing your mind about your specialty...and changing it several times :) You will experience many different areas in nursing school and you might find yourself considering other options. So aim for the ER but keep an open mind.