New Grad ER Links...

MAL, RN · Mar 28, 2011

Just like the above poster, I, too, will be starting out in the ER (Level 1 Trauma ED) as a new grad. My orientation begins next week and I am SO EXCITED. Trying to read, read, and read each day to prepare myself. Thanks for the helpful links/resources!

Congrats on getting ER! They say they dont hire new grads there, but they do--I've met lots of ER nurses who started as new grads.

3 weeks into my ER orientation, and Im still studying like crazy on the weekends. Although, my biggest challenge is time management. 5 pt rooms makes for a very busy 12 hrs!

herowneulogy, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2011

MAL, RN said:

Congrats on getting ER! They say they don't hire new grads there, but they do--I've met lots of ER nurses who started as new grads.
3 weeks into my ER orientation, and Im still studying like crazy on the weekends. Although, my biggest challenge is time management. 5 pt rooms makes for a very busy 12 hrs!

How long is your orientation? And did they start you off with 12's right away or did you have to do the 8's first?

I will have 8-12 pts on average and on some days it can go up to 15 (!). This is what I was told during my interview, and being that my hospital is a Level 1 in NYC, I believe it.

Good luck!

MAL, RN · Mar 28, 2011

How long is your orientation? And did they start you off with 12's right away or did you have to do the 8's first?
I will have 8-12 pts on average and on some days it can go up to 15 (!!!). This is what I was told during my interview, and being that my hospital is a Level 1 in NYC, I believe it.
Good luck!

My orientation is 11 wks...sometimes I work 5-8's, sometimes 3- 12's...

Im sure that, by 8-15 pts, they mean over the course of the day (unless your fast-track). Otherwise, that's more than the floor nurses and unsafe for the ED. I have 5 pt rooms, and at least 2 pts come thru the rooms in a shift so a minimum of 10 ..I did a 200 hr preceptorship in level 1-trauma before and if your assigned to the trauma bay you usually have less rooms (but not always). Thats usually an extra certification that takes time to get before they assign you to the trauma bay..No rush on that though, you still get to jump in there and help!!

Since you have some time to study, and of course theres SO much to study, I recc going over some of the things you know to expect right off the bat, like IV push meds/cardiac meds you know youll be giving alot..Morphine/dilaudid/Zofran/Lasix/Solumederol/Cardene drip/Nitro drip, etc..And start learning the dosages and how fast you can push...We give them alot and its helpful to be refreshed on them..Also, the "rainbow" for blood draws and what each color tube is designated for at the lab...It helps to know this when MD orders lactate, etc..and the colors can vary by hospital

IrishErin · Apr 17, 2014

On 11/5/2006 at 5:05 AM, CrazyPremed said:

Hey folks,

There are a ton of various threads here for the new grad in the ER. I'm going to try to put them all in one link and make see if this can become a sticky. Let's see where my talents take me.

Rantings of an ER Nurse

Advice for new ER nurse

Need advice: should I start out in ER or tele/med-surg?

Questions from a Struggling ER New Grad

Tips for becoming an ER nurse

ER newbie here, please give me some tips to meet my co-workers expectation

Tips For New Grad ER Jobs

Nursing student tips for ER (Helpful thread for new grads/externs in the ER)

Should a new grad try ED or not?

Views on New Grads Entering the ER.

2 weeks before ED

"New grad-itis"...

First full day in the ED...

New Grad thinking to start career in the ER

Pregnant new grad in the ED?

Learning thread (ER medicine)

Thank you for doing this!

IrishErin · Apr 28, 2014

And the new grad in the ER threads continue :|

daniolk · May 2, 2014

Thank you so much! This is amazing ?

studentnursemon86 · Oct 14, 2014

This is helpful, thanks. I should be graduating in 2016 and I currently work in an ER as a tech. Many of my coworkers ask if I will work there as a nurse when I graduate and I've been on the fence.

This should give some insight

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 17, 2015

Thanks for the valuable info! I just graduated and my dream job would be ER. It was by far my favorite rotation. I'm trying to get in to a fellowship program for new grads in the ER. Once I pass NCLEX, going for ACLS next. I will definitely read all the helpful links posted here. Thanks again!