how much experience did you have before becoming an ER nurse?

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I am a student nurse who has worked on the med surg unit for a year as an IV certified LPN. The hospital I work in is rural so I deal with numerous types of patients. I graduate in May as an RN. My clinical rotation this semester is at the hospital I work at so I have spent agreat deal of time in the ER. I love it and have learned so much. I start Mod I a week after graduation which is our basic arrythmia course and will be doing Mod II (advanced arrythmias) and ACLS immediately after. The director of the ER was so impressed by my performance as a student that she called my instructor to ask her to continue sending me to the ER. I have enjoyed the ER the most out of all my rotations and would like to eventually work there. How many years of med surg should I do before I apply to change departments? What else can I do to prepare myself? Any suggestions?

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Specializes in ER.

I started in the ER on day one after getting my license as an RN, after 15 years of EMS.

We have a bunch on new grads working here in the ER. But we also have a 16 week orientation, which includes 4 weeks of classes.

Good luck!

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I have been an LPN for 10 years. I worked Med/Surg tele floor for 5 years. Then went to ICU/SDU for 4 years. I have been in ER since 9/2005, and I love every minute of it. I am ACLS and PALS certified also. If it were available to LPN's I would take TNCC.

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If you want ER, go for ER. No need to do med/surg first. Especially if you already have some experience anyway. Good luck and enjoy!

(edited to correct typo)

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I have worked ER for 12 years. I went to ER after graduation as a RN. I had worked as a EMT on an ambulance. If you have worked as a nurse I suggest you go for it. If you love it join us. You probably would feel more prepared if you had - TNCC, PALS, ACLS. Sounds like you would be an ideal person for ER. Good luck.

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Specializes in ER (My favorite), NICU, Hospice.

Congrats on your upcoming graduation. I graduate with my ADN also in May, the 10th to be exact. I started in the ER the day after I got my board results for my LPn. I have loved every minute of it to. Best of luck, I suggest if ER is what you want, go in as a new grad. Just make sure you are given a proper orientation.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Congrats on the graduation. I worked in the ICU for about a year and in LTC for a year prior to going to the ER and been there for almost 10 yrs now. Love it...we take new grads too. 16 weeks orientation.

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2 years CCU'

9-10 years Cardiac Rehab and then straight to ER

I've been there almost 1 year and am STILL learning new stuff every day.

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I have worked in ER 12 years and learn something new every day, it's great. You can tell I am a trauma junkie. I also work with DMAT and go to the disasters. Life is good. It is not going to be good if I do not quit talking to all you and go to work.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I went straight from nursing school to GN to RN in the ED. I love it. Just check out the length of orientation. Mine was great. Best of luck to you!

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thank you all for your replies. i look forward to joining the ER team some day. I think the next time a job is posted I will bid on it. If they want more experience at least I will know what is expected of me. It can't hurt to try.

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Started as a GN in SICU/Trauma- 3yrs there then 4yrs in CCU then to ER.

Been in the ER now for 24yrs.

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