Need Advice From Emergency Nurses!

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi Everyone,

Thanks for looking at my post. I am a new graduate licensed RN from California who has landed an interview for a "new grad ED position." I don't have experience in the ED but I do have experience in ICU and ICU Stepdown. I am currently earning my ACLS and PALS certificates. Does anyone have ANY interview tips for me? What type of qualities are they generally looking for and what types of questions might I be asked? I really want this position due to the scarcity of opportunities out there (and I want to work in the ED)! I would appreciate any advice anyone can give me. Thank you all in advance!

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Specializes in ER.

I am an ER nursing and I got the usual questions. What are you strengths/weaknesses, why should we hire you and not someone else, how would you handle a difficult situation with a coworker, what do you think are important qualities in a nurse, etc. Good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I think it is important for ER nurses to enjoy a fast-paced environment, be teamworkers, and to be critical thinkers. Those would be good qualities to think about while interviewing.

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Specializes in ED (Level 1, Pediatric), ICU/CCU/STICU.

Couple of things that are really important... especially with rotating from ICU

#1) The ability to adapt / change gears in a very, very short time (like walking from one room to another)

You can literally have an infant with an URI / getting nebs and performing a ped. respiratory assessment, to the 87 y/o male who takes Oxycontin for pain, and has not pooped in 6 hours, and is urgently requesting a enema (or two, with a side of digital disimpaction), to the homeless fellow who is at his baseline of ETOH (>.03), and somebody took off his shoes, around the corner to the pelvic setup for the PID shuffle, with an Cat. 1 trauma that is "enroute", and EMS is giveing you report as they are hauling fanny into the ambulance bay. Any thats in your first hour........

#2) Don't take things personally.

Trust me, you are NOT going to be seeing / treating the top 10% of the population by general standards (inter-city is a whole different universe). Tempers can be short, patients (and family's) are stressed out, intoxicated, off their meds, or its just their general disposition... It's not you... just let it go and move on.

#3) Stop thinking like an ICU nurse.

You don't have the time. Focused assessments, isolate the issues at hand, treat them as best you can, and move them on (Upstairs / Admission, Out the door / discharge with orders to follow up with their PMD, or downstairs / celestial transfer) You are NOT going to be able to fix everything, much less make a global impact (but it's really nice when you do). The motto for the ER is "Treat 'em and street 'em".

** Disclaimer** Thats not to say that ICU won't help you.. It will, especially with the more complex patients, but it's a whole different pace and mentality that takes time to evolve into.

My opinion only.... If you can balance ICU with a solid ER (including peds) background, you can walk into any situation and be a profound asset to the patient, family, and participating staff. Just remember, its a learning experience, and it will take 1-2 years to become proficient (variable based on the person, drive, orientation process, staff, and the institution). Keep a degree of humility, an open mind, and a caffinated beverage and off you go.

Good luck!

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hi my name is anas and im from jordan..

i was working in ED since 5 month i will advice you to be patient and use the critical thinking always and be patient always and remember always to take your safety precaution ( contact,air droplet...) and learn to be fast always

and make priority

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