need advice, telemetry and ER

[medteleER]

Thanks in advance for reading.

Just wondering if this is a good idea.

I’ve made some posts regarding transferring to the emergency room, but my educator said it is necessary I spend some time on the telemetry unit prior. I am a med/surg nurse with 5 years under my belt. The nursing supervisor said I DO NOT have to do this and recommend I request to be floated there (telemetry) while I stay in med/surg. And I believe she also said, I could even request to be floated to the emergency overflow, occasionally (if I had all the certifications)

So….

Should I transfer to the telemetry unit and stay for 6 months (policy) before going into the ER? If there isn't a position, it might take longer than 6 months.

Or... do what my supervisor says about this floating to telemetry and ED overflow?

I only feel like I can jump straight into the ER because they do hire new graduates. But I also want to be completely prepared (tele experience) before I do.

[JKL33]

8 hours ago, medteleER said:

Should I transfer to the telemetry unit and stay for 6 months (policy) before going into the ER? If there isn't a position, it might take longer than 6 months.

A bit of clarification is needed. When you say the above, do you mean:

A) It actually is policy that one must work (X amount of time) in tele before being allowed to move to the ED

or

B) It is policy that you would have to stay for 6 months if you do what the educator is saying and move to tele?

**

I just don't think a formal length of time in tele is necessary - so it really matters whether or not policy says you absolutely must.

I would look to start floating to the ED, cultivate a good rep there, and wait for a position to open. Floating to tele might also help your cause. I would watch for ED openings either way.

Have you shadowed in ED yet or spoken w/ the manager?

[medteleER]

16 hours ago, JKL33 said:

A bit of clarification is needed. When you say the above, do you mean:

A) It actually is policy that one must work (X amount of time) in tele before being allowed to move to the ED

or

B) It is policy that you would have to stay for 6 months if you do what the educator is saying and move to tele?

**

I just don't think a formal length of time in tele is necessary - so it really matters whether or not policy says you absolutely must.

I would look to start floating to the ED, cultivate a good rep there, and wait for a position to open. Floating to tele might also help your cause. I would watch for ED openings either way.

Have you shadowed in ED yet or spoken w/ the manager?

it IS NOT the policy to spend time on the tele unit, prior to transferring to the ER. though it IS POLICY that I have to spend 6 months there if I do transfer... meaning I will be stuck there for 6 months.

I am going to make contact with the managers as soon as I can. I would definitely want to shadow somebody in the ED, if I can.

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

To me, it sounds like they just aren't ready for you to go, lol. Which is a compliment, but you gotta do you. If you apply for a position and the interview/share time go well, I would say go for it. Maybe you can do share time in your hospital's monitor room to help you get comfortable with telemetry, and there are lots of ways to study this during your downtime too.