How much training and work in other areas did it take you to get a job as an ER nurse?

[laschai]

I am starting work towards my BSN this fall, and as of now I want to be an ER/trauma nurse. This may change if I discover I actually can't handle that much blood (though I think I can), but that's the plan right now. When I looked into how you get a job as an ER/trauma nurse, it seemed you can't get that position as an entry-level nurse. Instead, it seems you have to work in other areas to gain experience, and sometimes work for extra certifications. How long did you have to work in other areas, and how much certification work and training did you have to do, before you were able to get a job as an ER/trauma nurse? I'm very willing to work longer to achieve this position, I just want to be informed about what it usually entails. Thank you in advance for your answers, I appreciate it!

[LessValuableNinja]

Your research seems to have holes. Out of school you can skip other areas and apply to ER residencies. They usually open and close applications before you graduate, so look for them and apply early. If the applications are rolling, you have an advantage if you apply right away. Apply to as many as you can. ER residencies are generally competitive.

Where do you live?

[laschai]

Your research seems to have holes. Out of school you can skip other areas and apply to ER residencies. They usually open and close applications before you graduate, so look for them and apply early. If the applications are rolling, you have an advantage if you apply right away. Apply to as many as you can. ER residencies are generally competitive.

Where do you live?

I have heard of ER residencies. Unfortunately, it seems there aren't that many of them near me. I think there's one in MA. Either that, or they just don't advertise/talk about the other ones very well. Currently, I live in central-southern MA. I'm most likely going to be going to nursing school in southern NH.

[LessValuableNinja]

I just googled the following things and got tons of (actually relevant) hits:

nurse residency programs in new hampshire

nurse residency programs in massachusetts

[laschai]

I just googled the following things and got tons of (actually relevant) hits:

nurse residency programs in new hampshire

nurse residency programs in massachusetts

I found a list of programs by state and found 3 in MA and 1 in NH. I went to the websites listed AND googled them and got dead ends. Maybe it's because I'm searching on my phone, rather than my desktop?

edit: I googled the suggested searches and did find more info. I guess the lists are incomplete. That's annoying haha. Thank you.

[LessValuableNinja]

Lists are almost always incomplete. I ran into this with looking at BSN programs, MSN programs, residencies, and pretty much every other list. It's a good idea to search different ways: Google, Bing, Indeed, etc. Search terms include: GN, graduate nurse, nurse internship, nurse residency, new graduate RN, etc. Time consuming but necessary. Keep in mind that many residencies will only show up on their org jobsite when they're open, so it's very wise to know before the middle of your last year exactly when each residency will pop up. You should also discuss with the school of nursing career office or whatever it's called there. They will likely have a bunch of info and contacts.

[sukinsin]

1., there isn't that much blood. even in traumas. it happens, but it's less than you think.

2. I'm not a big fan of new nurses in the ED, especially very busy EDs. There is a lot of critical thinking that really only develops through time that one has to already have to work in the ED. I've seen medics who worked in the ED for years, go back and get their RN, and struggle in that role because of the thinking that has to happen.

[laschai]

1., there isn't that much blood. even in traumas. it happens, but it's less than you think.

2. I'm not a big fan of new nurses in the ED, especially very busy EDs. There is a lot of critical thinking that really only develops through time that one has to already have to work in the ED. I've seen medics who worked in the ED for years, go back and get their RN, and struggle in that role because of the thinking that has to happen.

1. That's good to know, thank you.

2. That makes sense. How long do you recommend working in another unit before going to the ED, and which units would you recommend?

[sukinsin]

I'd say at least a year, year and a half. Any med-surf unit, but a tell or step down unit would probably be better.

[Cahoon BSN RN, BSN, RN]

If ER is what you want to do, go for it. Maybe start at a smaller hospital that is not a trauma center. They are usually slower paced and the stakes are not as high. We hire a lot of new grads at my hospital in Northern Virginia. I personally think that the skills you learn on a med-surg floor are very different than the ones you use in the ED.

[sukinsin]

If ER is what you want to do, go for it. Maybe start at a smaller hospital that is not a trauma center. They are usually slower paced and the stakes are not as high. We hire a lot of new grads at my hospital in Northern Virginia. I personally think that the skills you learn on a med-surg floor are very different than the ones you use in the ED.

There is much fail in this post I don't even know where to begin.

[JoJo_Mommy, BSN]

I agree with the previous poster... If you want to do ER go straight to ER. I was hired into the ER (which I've been at for 6 months now) right out of my BSN program and I wouldn't suggest anyone to do something they don't want to do first. I work at Emory which is not a trauma center but we do get very sick patients and I love it. Good luck!