New to Burn Nursing

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Specializes in Emergency ICU,Trauma, Burn ICU.

Hi everyone,

I'm leaving emergency/trauma ICU for burn nursing in July (at NYP-Cornell). I'm really excited about this change. I know it will be challenging and I'm looking forward to learning so much more.

Any advice from the experienced burn nurses out there?:mad:

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Specializes in ER, Surgery.

I worked burns as part of a rotation from ER, I loved it but it was very different to any other type of nursing I have done. It is challenging, I loved doing the dressings and where I worked it was an emergency admission and high care area with theatres all integrated into one unit.

The types of burns will be varied and the way people find to burn themselves always astounded me. I've seen burns from oven cleaners to gas. I work in a big industrial area so we had lots of industrial injuries as well.

I think as a new burns nurse the one thing that I found difficult was the smell, not offensive but just distracting is the only way to describe it. You do get used to it though

It is a challenging speciality

Enjoy

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Specializes in med-surg, BICU.

hi zuzutrauma,

i actually just started working there recently. its pretty cool. hopefully u will like it. i think its a nice challenge that we do both the pediatric population as well as adults. at first i was nervous about that, but now i like working with peds.

see you on the floor soon!

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Specializes in Level III NICU.
Hi everyone,

I'm leaving emergency/trauma ICU for burn nursing in July (at NYP-Cornell). I'm really excited about this change. I know it will be challenging and I'm looking forward to learning so much more.

Any advice from the experienced burn nurses out there?:mad:

I don't work with burns (or adults for that matter), but I just wanted to wish you luck. My bf is a FDNY fireman, and one of his best friends was at Cornell for a few weeks 2 years ago. My bf raved about the nurses in the burn unit, and I pray he never needs you but I know he will be in great hands if he ever does.

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Hy!Did you start with your work in burn unit?Im working 8 years and i woud like to exchange some experience.

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Specializes in Emergency ICU,Trauma, Burn ICU.

Not yet, I start orientation in July... i have no burn experience, any advice??

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Its specific department and you can easily learn issue.You have to get used on smell (it can be frustrating at time) and on patient and their pain.I believe it will be great experience to you.

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Hy!Im vorking 7 years on burns and i woud like to exchange some experience with you.In which hospital you work?Can you recommend some journal with nursing burns article.

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Specializes in geriatrics and emergency.

I got the opportunity to work for a summer with some burn patients at a Merical Burn Camp last summer. These kids have burns that have caused amputations, and definatly a life altercation! They were amazing and as a pre-nursing student, I can't wait to work with burns. I did get to experience a dressing change at Brooke Army Medical Center with some soldiers who came home from Iraq (they let us medics do some nurse stuff in an Army Hospital!) This was also an amazing experience IT just seemed that these patients all had one thing in common....optimism, truley inspiring and uplifting, these people make you want to help them and give them the best care you are capable of!

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Specializes in ER, Surgery.

I think the one thing I like most about burns was the ability of the human body to heal and the human spirit to adapt.

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