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

[liljsmom02]

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?

[sbnurse04]

I'm an ER Nurse in a Level 1 Trauma Center, and like you in Nursing School, The ER was the rotation I liked the best. I started in ER right out of school and did OK, there were times that I felt like I didn't know enough, but the other RNs were great helping me through those times. The hospital I work in has an extensive orientation, and I already had basic time management skills from working on a Med-Surg Floor floor for several years before graduation. As long as you feel comfortable in your basic nursing skills, like IVs, Foleys ect.. you should be fine starting out you career as an RN in an ER. My only advise is to try and get on in a hospital that you are comfortable with, so that the initial orientation to your surroundings will be easier. Seeing the New Grads come through since me I've noticed that the ones that are already comfortable with the atmosphere have much less trouble transitioning into the role of an ER Nurse.

[nursejennie76]

I was an advanced EMT for 6 years, then an LPN for 5. Went to the ER after RN school. You will do fine, no need to go to med surg first!!!!

[johnson0424]

ok so tellme why the ER will take new grads but wont take nurses with experience.Granted my experience is in MS and LTC but I have 5 yrs nursing experience. HELP!!!it is frustrating..

[Rio, ASN, RN]

ok so tellme why the ER will take new grads but wont take nurses with experience.Granted my experience is in MS and LTC but I have 5 yrs nursing experience. HELP!!!it is frustrating..

I know of no reason why a ER nurse manager would not snatch you up.

Unless you have limitations as to what shift or hours you are willing to work. A lot of new grads are willing to take what they can get.. young and hungry does have advantages.

[nursejennie76]

All the nurses that have come to the ER that I work at after me have been from med surg backgrounds, so I think you are just applying at the wrong places?? Good luck, being a ER nurse is the best job i have ever had.

[mom23RN]

I went straight into ER as a new grad. Not much of an orintation either. :uhoh21:

[tianaman]

I've been a med/surg nurse for 2 years, then I worked for 1 year in ER after that I've work in primary care for 3 years and now I'm back in ER. I think working first in med/surg will strenghten you up as a nurse while working in primarycare, gives you a knowhow of patients that came in ED for nothing hee hee hee know what I'm saying, at least you can provide health teachings blah blah blah and how they can dessiminate that info in their community

[RunnerRN, BSN, RN]

I graduated last May and started in the ER right away. I am in a large level 1. I had to go through orientation with classes and some ER shifts for 3 months, then full time ER shifts with a preceptor for 2 more. My hospital is wonderful - they encouraged me to get TNCC, ACLS, ENPC, and CPI. I did do my senior practicum in another level one that wasn't quite as large or busy.

Most important is to find a hospital that will support you and help you through the orientation period. It was the hardest thing I ever did, but the smartest also.

Good luck!

[CEN35]

None - went in right out of school, stayed 7 years and went to pacu.

[analee23]

Worked a month and a half in as an office nurse and then moved (out of state) to a level 1 Peds ER... and LOVE IT. Currently in an extensive 5 month orientation that has helped a ton. Just make sure and jump in and learn those assessment skills and IVs, Caths, NGs, all the stuff we do a lot! Best of luck!