Just got my preceptorship assignment for next semester...

[Sturmgeist]

Okay..I have to admit, I have been a "lurker" in the forums for a good long time and little time to post due to the amount of work I have had this semester. I am in an accelerated BSN option program (12 months) and finishing up my second semester (hardest one with 21 hours). I was just notified by our instructor that I am going to be in the Emergency Department. I am looking for any suggestions as to meds, procedures etc that I should buff up on (it starts Jan 9.) so as to be as close to ready as I can be. I would also ask that any suggestions, feedback and what you would like to have in a student nurse (for those RNs out there).

A small snipet about myself. I am a married 39 y/o male. I was in the army for 8 years and after a few years in the financial industry decided to do something a bit more useful (my opinion) with my life than make other people money.

Thank you in advance for your advice!

[NCRNMDM, ASN, RN]

It really depends on the size of the ED, if you are in a trauma center, and the level and quality of services your ED can provide. I did some work in a rural community hospital ED and a level one trauma center prior to applying to nursing school, and it truly was a world of difference. As a general rule, you should be prepared for intubations, cardiac arrests, MIs, CVAs, car accidents, falls, GI bleed, seizures, pneumonia, respiratory distress, COPD exacerbation, asthma attacks, anaphylaxis, psych patients, hypertension, hypotension, SVT, atrial flutter and fibrillation, and a host of other injuries and illnesses. If you are in a major medical center, prepare for central line insertion, arterial line insertion, and, possibly, PA line insertion. Learn the basics of the level one rapid infuser, the IV pumps your hospital uses, and the type of ventilator your facility uses. Also, get comfortable with nitroglycerin, dopamine, adenosine, epinephrine, versed, amiodarone, levophed, resuscitation fluids, and other emergency drugs. The ED is a great place to pick up skills, learn new things, and test your ability to handle stress. I loved my time there. Good luck!

[Sturmgeist]

It really depends on the size of the ED, if you are in a trauma center, and the level and quality of services your ED can provide. I did some work in a rural community hospital ED and a level one trauma center prior to applying to nursing school, and it truly was a world of difference. As a general rule, you should be prepared for intubations, cardiac arrests, MIs, CVAs, car accidents, falls, GI bleed, seizures, pneumonia, respiratory distress, COPD exacerbation, asthma attacks, anaphylaxis, psych patients, hypertension, hypotension, SVT, atrial flutter and fibrillation, and a host of other injuries and illnesses. If you are in a major medical center, prepare for central line insertion, arterial line insertion, and, possibly, PA line insertion. Learn the basics of the level one rapid infuser, the IV pumps your hospital uses, and the type of ventilator your facility uses. Also, get comfortable with nitroglycerin, dopamine, adenosine, epinephrine, versed, amiodarone, levophed, resuscitation fluids, and other emergency drugs. The ED is a great place to pick up skills, learn new things, and test your ability to handle stress. I loved my time there. Good luck!

Wow, that is a mouthful for sure! I am pretty good on several of those subjects, but some I will need to buff up on and will certainly review the rest to have them fresh in my mind. Thank you for the input!