Interview for ED position this week!, No prior ED experience though

JKL33 · Nov 18, 2019

Stay calm, convey that you are pleasant, outgoing, and a good team member. Speak well of your current position and convey that it has given you a solid foundation to build upon. Ahead of time, think through your experiences that have helped you strengthen yourself in ways that will be transferable to the ED population (there are a lot, despite what some people say--time management, interpersonal skills, developing good rapports with patients, staying calm under pressure, in addition to the specific pieces of knowledge and hands-on skills that will transfer).

When talking with them, remember that the ED is not all codes/arrests/big traumas. It is very heavy on run-of-the-mill sickness and injury, including the very, very minor. If you're too much into the idea of being an adrenaline junkie, they might wonder how you will fare with all myriad stuff that is much more mundane.

Good luck; let us know how it goes.

shakabrah · Nov 23, 2019

@JKL33, Thank you for your words; The interview went very well, and today i received the job offer (I am still processing it) lol! I can hardly believe it, I am both excited, but nervous; totally ready to be molded into an ED nurse tho, but a bit scared!!!! It's gonna be quite a journey.. Thank you again ?

JKL33 · Nov 23, 2019

Good for you! That's so exciting! ?

What are the details? If you want to share.

What kind of place, and what kind of orientation?

Congrats.

shakabrah · Dec 10, 2019

HEEEYY @JKL33! sorry for the extremely delayed reply!!... Thank you so much, I am super excited because this is what I've wanted since nursing school, and I'm finally getting my opportunity. I am a little scared/nervous not gonna lie, cuz i hear its like being new all over again (even though i am still fairly new lol), but i am just as eager to learn. I just hope i have a good preceptor cuz I've heard horror stories.

Anyway, I will be starting in January, hospital orientation is 1 week. I will be with a preceptor on day shift, but i was hired on nights. Its not a trauma center, but they do get some they send out. And I'm not too sure about how long I will be with a preceptor, this is something i asked because i don't have ED background; she told me it depends on the candidate but usually around 3mo, though that's not set. She mentioned they have a new grad program, but i'm not a new grad; and i don't think its ED specific. I was part of a residency program/New grad program when i first started working; my hospital also offers transition programs for specific units which is amazing, but doesn't sound like they do here. In your experience does 3mo sound about right before being released? I'll have to ask what my hospital does. Its very rare they take non ED people at my hospital, i'm not sure why they're so strict about it in compared to the other hospitals by the same company in the area; (maybe because they're a trauma center?, idk). I didn't wanna wait forever, and it's union so even if the rare opportunity did come about i most likely wouldn't get it because i am per diem (zero seniority). I spoke to the manager, she told me that 6mo is all i need to apply, so rather than waiting i decided to act. I think i will give this new job more than 6mo though, they're giving me such a great opportunity, i am so grateful, but I would like to eventually work at a trauma center, i think that is a good next move.

Thank you again for your advice! ?

JKL33 · Dec 10, 2019

3 months sounds great. Try to encourage the idea of a step-wise/gradual progression of your orientation so that you can get a solid footing (as opposed to starting right off with your preceptor saying something like "we have these rooms; you take care of the patients and I'll help you").

Hopefully you can make a tentative plan as soon as you meet your preceptor. Personally I prefer to have people learn lower-level patients and at least get a basic handle on the ins and outs of the random tasks and feel minimally comfortable before moving on/up to sicker and sicker patients.

Enjoy the holidays first, though!

Good luck

shakabrah · Dec 10, 2019

That sounds solid, thank you! I will aim for that. When I first started, it was exactly as you said, and I was so new I just went with it. I wish you could be my preceptor; I've been reading different threads and your responses are invaluable, seriously thank you ?. Happy Holidays to you ?