New to ed

GoBlue · Jul 14, 2006

WOW

I really know what I am getting into now

Thanks for all the help

I thought posting here would get me some "professional" remarks but I guess that only applies to people to who actually care about other people and remember back to when they started out.

I was soooo wrong to post on this site

USIJurgy · Jul 14, 2006

I am sorry no one replied to your post quickly, but I don't think it is any reason to get upset with the website. Remember, we're all just here to discuss and unwind =)

As for working as a tech in the ER...I don't think they would have hired you for the position unless they believed you had the skills and the ability to be trained to do the job. its not like on the first day they are just going to tell you which patients you are in charge of and have you go at it! Don't worry, they will train you and make sure you know your way. In the ER I rotated through I was amazed at the amount of teamwork that was present among the staff. Everyone helped- and in the ER you kind of have to- you can't really run a chest pain on your own, unless the whole place is going crazy.

Good luck and keep us updated on how it is going =)

AmyD_RN · Jul 14, 2006

yup I agree USIJurgy, I noticed that all the boards other than the nclex board get replied to alot slower but that is cause everyone is working, there are so many newbies (me included-hince the fact why I didnt reply) that we dont feel we can answer your questions. But you better believe that we are here waiting on an answer as well. Dont get discouraged! I have yet to find a nurse on here not willing to help! I think you were a little harsh but I understand when you are desperate for some support!

Hope all goes well keep us posted!

AmyD RN (soon to be ER nurse~~ 1 more week and counting!)

PhoenixGirl · Jul 14, 2006

I am a nursing student who will be working in the ed as a tech
I am starting to feel overwhelmed at the duties I will be doing and doing them wrong I will be starting my 2nd year in Aug and at our school we do not do a rotation in the er.
Am I in over my head??? I have no nursing experience except school, I dont know if I want the fast paced setting or not.
I just dont want to look stupid or worse mess up.
Any thoughts or suggestions on making it work would be sooooooooooo
appreciated.
Thanks

HOw much orientation did they offer you? Try not to worry about being in over your head. Just be like a sponge and soak up as much knowledge and skills as you can. Take as much orientation they will give you.

I'm sure you'll do great!

andhow5, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

WOW
I really know what I am getting into now
Thanks for all the help
I thought posting here would get me some "professional" remarks but I guess that only applies to people to who actually care about other people and remember back to when they started out.
I was soooo wrong to post on this site

Go,

Congratulations on the new position. It's normal to be scared of the unknown. You'll be amazed at how much you'll learn, and how quickly you'll start "thinking on your feet".

However, if the above quoted post is a reflection of your true personality, I'm afraid you'll have a hard time in the ED. If you get that riled at such a little thing (not getting the quick replies you hoped for), then you'll have to work hard to gain your co-worker's trust when you exhibit that type of response to bigger things.

I'm hoping you were simply having a bad day. Please keep in mind that we work and we also have families (and numerous other responsibilities) that need to be attended to before we can answer a post on a message board.

The best advice I can give is to let your nurses know that you are anxious to learn and would like to take advantage of learning opportunities as they come - and you'll get a lot of exposure to interesting and unique things.

Good luck and God bless.

Sarah, RNBScN · Jul 14, 2006

I can't assist with you. Where I am from, we do not have ER tech(s)? I am interested to know what they do.

Please advise.

Thanks,

GoBlue · Jul 14, 2006

Sorry if I seemed harsh, I was just really upset that 30 people and viewed and no one left anything.

Like the one poster said I was having a really bad day.

Along with the anxiety of being new to the er.

Again I really appreciate everyone who did answer, thank you for taking the time

AuntieRN · Jul 14, 2006

GoBlue...I learned more being an ER tech these past 6 months than I have the whole time I have been in school. Sometimes it is hard to get skills done while in clinicals a few hours a week, but it seems something is always coming up in the ER. If the nurses in your ER are anything like the ones I work with they will be more than willing to teach you anything and everything. I have started one IV in school I have probably started about 100working in the ER. Same thing with F/C...I actullay had never done one in school until about 3 weeks ago and I am graduating on the 10th of Aug...but I have put in tons of them at work. Just remember to breath...and ask questions...lots of questions...if you do not know how to do something..have someone show you....good luck to ya!!!

vampireslayer · Jul 17, 2006

GoBlue,

Yeah, I've had the same thing happen to me, where I posted something and days went by without a response. But when there are people viewing it, I just assume it means that a lot of people are interested in knowing the answer too, but they don't have the answer themselves.

About the tech job, you may end up feeling overwhelmed, you WILL feel stupid many times, but that's just life in the ER! And anyway, it would happen to you wherever you went, you always feel stupid when learnign something new. I guarantee you that you'll be glad you took the job, if ER is where you want to go when you graduate nursing school. You will have SUCH a huge leg up by knowing the tech skills, if you get a nursing position in the ER. Not only will a tech job help in just being more comfortable with the types of situations that come up in the ER, but it will also help tremendously in getting hired for a job in the ER once you graduate.

Good luck!

VS

widi96 · Jul 17, 2006

GoBlue,

With the hateful reaction you posted, it sounds like you may be a little too immature for an ER. It takes being able to handle pressure and things not always going your way. I have been an ER tech for almost two years now and worked in the hospital for over 4 years. I graduate from Nursing School next May. The ER is tough and you get to do SO much and learn SO much. I feel I have learned as much if not more from my experience in the ER than I do at school. One piece of advice if you decide to continue your position in the ER, learn the phrase "I don't know how to do that, but if you will show me I'd be glad to learn." Most people don't get upset if you make an effort. If you don't know how to do something but are willing to help and learn, you are fine. If you just say "I don't know how to do that" and leave it for them to do on their own, people will get upset.

Dewgrl · Jul 18, 2006

Every ER is run in their own special way, but here is what I did as a tech-

Phlebotomy-blood draws unless they needed an iv. Knowledge of what tube for what will be needed....i.e. lavender for cbc's, green for lytes etc...

EKG's-lead placement, ways to get best read out like covering up a pt who's cold and shaking(can't read ekg like that;)) with warm blanket

Foleys/fem caths-Basic's men have only one option, women have three so a little knowlege of the female body will help

Transporting pt's, cleaning and wrapping wounds, cpr, urine dips, vitals, fsbs, stocking rooms, laundry, etc... pretty much everything but med's, IV's and paperwork.

This was my hospital, and each will be different. I hope this helps.

P.S. I only check in here once in a while, and ER staff will eat you alive if they see you as childish or impatient...smile, be strong, and pay close attention to those around you. Emulate the positive, ignore the negative, and smile some more.:balloons: