I Got the ED job!!!

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Hi nurses! I just wanted to share the fantastic news that I got the job in the ED! :yeah:It such a great residency program with 6 months of training, multiple certifications, and individualized support. I am soo excited, but equally scared as I am a new grad (second career). I love the way the ED flows and the sense of camaraderie among the team. I really feel the atmosphere matches my personality. I can be assertive, but tactful, and I can roll with the punches and re-prioritize as necessary. I'm not afraid to ask questions, and I am willing and excited to learn.

My question is: What are some of your tips/pointers/advice about succeeding in the ED? Will my assessment and time management skills improve with time? Thanks in advance...you all are awesome!!!:D

Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Congratulations!

You've received some awesome advice so far. Here are a few more:

1) I carry a little notebook with me since the beginning, I use it less than when I first started (I occasional brainfarts with telephone numbers ;)). I also included items that would 'go together' such as what to have for a lac tray, I&D, eye emergencies, etc. Sometimes you will get a bunch of one type of chief complaint within a few shifts and then not see it for a while. The notes help.

2) Know the policies and procedures of your ED. When the feces hit the fan, sometimes you don't have time to look them up. Ex: Who do you need to contact if you have a patient with a dog bite? What medications are you, as a nurse, allowed to push if you have a patient that you need to perform a moderate sedation? Which meds are you not allowed to push? What are your responsibilities in different patient populations? On and on......

3) Be respectful of and bond with your ED techs. They can be great resources!

4) Know what equipment you need for certain procedures. Learn how to use them, play with them, ask questions.

All in all, have fun! The emergency department is full of unique, twisted people!

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Oh, and ... be nice to your EMS people. It's not their fault they have to bring you the things that they do. As someone who exists on both sides of the ED doors, I can tell you that if you treat your EMTs and medics with respect, it will be reciprocated. Listen to their bedside reports -- they have valuable information and assessments to contribute. I can tell you that a good relationship with EMS can save your butt some days, because they will do anything for you, including sticking around to help when you're drowning.

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I just landed an ER residency position that starts Feb 14th too! Where are u guys working? I wonder if we are in the same program....

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, Med-Surg.

Thank you dthfyter, gurmo, murphyle, lunahRN, and Medic2RN for all the tips & advice!!! I stocked up on pocket sized notebooks and will definitely look into that book suggested by LunahRN.

Such a coincidence that several of my fellow new/newer grads are starting too. I am located in Virginia. Good luck to everyone...may we keep our mouths shut, absorb like a sponge, appreciate ALL members of the team, and learn not to panic! Oh, and help a few patients along the way. :redpinkhe

By the way, I've read several posts of new nurses going home crying after starting in the ED. Is this feeling of drowning and total incompetence to be expected? And, if so, how long does it last? Is it due to the reality that we know nothing as a new nurse, and even less as a new nurse in the emergency department? I'm enthusiastic to learn, but I don't want to feel like a burden to my preceptor and colleages, or constantly feel like I'm in their way.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I am also in Virginia. :) Yes, I felt like an incompetent idiot for a while ... and I had been an ER tech in the same ER for almost four years before starting as an RN. It'll take time -- study hard, but go easy on yourself, too.

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I am in Southern NJ starting Feb 14

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Specializes in ltc/subacute/ER.

I'm in Southern NJ too starting February 14th!

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Specializes in ER.

I'm a new grad who just got an ED job too! I start Jan. 31! So excited for all of us!

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I'm in VA and starting in a new grad fellowship in the ED next month! Super excited about it and really appreciate seeing all the advice everyone has given you.

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Specializes in ER, ARNP, MSN, FNP-BC.
I am in Southern NJ starting Feb 14

I am from Southern NJ too.......... I was exit 30 LOL

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