Is it that hard to get in?

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 29, 2013

New grad, 1 interview, offered job at end of interview. Local emt, knew manager & most staff already.

shoegalRN, RN · Apr 29, 2013

I had one interview, and I already knew most of the staff. From what I was told, I had a good "work reputation" according to the ER director who interviewed me.

loveu123 · Apr 29, 2013

I ran into the director and told her I would like to interview at our Level 1 trauma ED. I was actually offered an interview , a share day and a verbal offer before I did the official application. I got in as an internal transfer and the ED director used to be my director on a different unit in the hospital. She actually convinced her assistant during my interview that she thinks I will be an excellent candidate because of her previous experience with me. My hospital hires both internal transfers and some new grads for the residency program. I suggest you try to talk to people in the ER(that's if you have any friends there) because I found a lot of people get in because they knew someone that put in a good word for them. Good luck.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2013

It was easy for me to get in, I just sold myself as a great nurse. You can get a job in any specialty, you just have to believe you Can do it.

Misskala · Apr 29, 2013

I'm interested in trauma/ED so I'll ask this also, which I think supports the OP inquiry as well.

Do you think there are particular job skills that an ED is looking for? Is there an area of nursing that looks REALLY good to them (IE med/surg floor, cardio/tele unit, ICU)? Does it have to be hospital based experience---does any other experience cross over? What about personality, work style, goals?

Thanks everyone in advance :-)

KaLyn RN

CaribeRN · Apr 29, 2013

I have interviewed for the ER twice now (one stated that she was looking at other candidates for her position and the second one I had about 2 weeks ago, I have not heard back from). And even though that isn't a lot of interviews, I feel like that it is going to be one hell of a ride for me to get in. I thought it would be easier for me since I have over 6 years in nursing as a Tele RN (one of the managers I interviewed with told me that there are MANY parallels between the two specialties).
So I ask you ER Nurses, how many interviews did you need to endure before landing the position? Do you find it hard to get in for a new grad or a seasoned nurse? Why?
Pardon me if I asked too many questions! I just want SOOO Bad to get the experience.
Thanks.

I would send them an email and remind them your qualities and how you can contribute to the unit as a whole. Also include how u enjoyed the interview and want to learn more in this field... Good Luck.

itsnowornever, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2013

New grad, 7mo L&D experience. My husbanded able to get me into an interview (he was at the ER on a busy day and sang my praises, as he says) and then I just sold myself- related L&D to its own "small emergency room" of sorts, my preceptorship at a level 2 that has some designations that the ER is trying to get and my 100+ hours working with the specialty that is also tied into those designations. I already have a few ER specific certifications that they liked.

I had a previous interview at a larger hospital, sounded promising, but never irked out, so I was rather skeptical at this one, but I start my first day tomorrow.

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

happyinillinois · Apr 30, 2013

In my opinion, not really related to tele. Can you read a 12 lead? Do you even watch your own monitors in tele? ER is very fast paced. You need to be able to do everything, and everything is a stat. That means when you need an EKG and the tech is busy, you do it, you draw your own blood, you call pharmacy, every order is right now, and it's get them to the floor and out the door, because triage is backing up. In my opinion, it is more of a certain type personality, that makes you fit, rather than experience on the floor. You need thick skin to put up with the abuse hurled your way. Patient's constantly complain about the wait, the floor constantly complains about what you didn't do, and your supervisor is complaining that they are here too long, get them out. You swill see that MD's make lots of mistakes, you have to ride some docs to get orders to cover problems that they didn't address. Attendings will try and make you do their assessment for them, so they don't have to see the patient today, even thought they are supposed to. If you can handle all that and maintain a sense of humor, then you'd be a good fit. Sometimes people from the floor don't transition successfully, because it is so different. It is a very skill heavy job. The IV's, foley's, EKG's, etc. that patinet's come up with? The RN did them down in the ER.

SweetMelissaRN · Apr 30, 2013

In my opinion not really related to tele. Can you read a 12 lead? Do you even watch your own monitors in tele? ER is very fast paced. You need to be able to do everything, and everything is a stat. That means when you need an EKG and the tech is busy, you do it, you draw your own blood, you call pharmacy, every order is right now, and it's get them to the floor and out the door, because triage is backing up. In my opinion, it is more of a certain type personality, that makes you fit, rather than experience on the floor. You need thick skin to put up with the abuse hurled your way. Patient's constantly complain about the wait, the floor constantly complains about what you didn't do, and your supervisor is complaining that they are here too long, get them out. You swill see that MD's make lots of mistakes, you have to ride some docs to get orders to cover problems that they didn't address. Attendings will try and make you do their assessment for them, so they don't have to see the patient today, even thought they are supposed to. If you can handle all that and maintain a sense of humor, then you'd be a good fit. Sometimes people from the floor don't transition successfully, because it is so different. It is a very skill heavy job. The IV's, foley's, EKG's, etc. that patinet's come up with? The RN did them down in the ER.[/quote']
To put it in a slightly less off-putting way, you basically become a new grad again! The only bright side you have all of your prior nursing knowledge to take with you which is very valuable. Your teaching skills and patient-nurse interaction skills are definitely going to help you out. The biggest thing is getting used to the pace of everything and getting your IV skills down along with what standing orders are in place for the main complaints that roll in (cp, abd pain, resp distress, etc).
You will be fine as long as you go into knowing that you're going to feel out of your element. Ask a lot of questions, watch the other nurses perform tasks, and how they prioritize their care (but verify as well... Hate to say it but sometimes ppl will do was easiest first, not the most important). And just don't go in with a "I know everything" attitude and you'll do fine. You'll stumble a bit, feel overwhelmed but as you'll you get much better.
You'll do great, I'm a firm believer in positive yields positive results!

SweetMelissaRN · Apr 30, 2013

Well ICU for sure bc they have a better knowledge of cardiac drips, codes, monitoring, etc.... I feel like ICU is the floor version of the ER. I know a few OB nurses who tried it out but it just wasn't for me... I feel the top choices (in my opinion) would cvicu, ICU, TELE, and maybe IMCU (depending on the acuity of patients they see)