New grad ER nurse

Published

Hello all,

I know there are other forums about this but I thought I'd get a more recent perspective. I landed a good job in the ER with a 4 month residency for new grads. It starts later this month and I was wondering what are things I can do to best prepare for this (labs, meds, procedures, etc). Im very grateful for your help in the past and I look forward to hearing your insights

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Work hard, be positive, and be humble. Your deficiencies will be obvious and you can work on whatever you need. The most important thing I have found is to show you will be a good part of the team. Every shift I find more I need to brush up on, an honest self evaluation goes a long way!

Gluck and grats!

BSN GCU 2014. ED Residency ;)

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

codes

cva

trauma

overdoses

fractures

sepsis

ltc resident falls

uri, gastroenteritis

quick assessment,

acls and pals protocols

trauma alerts, cardiac alerts

in house codes

enhanced critical thinkinking and assessment skills

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Oooo I'll be watching this thread too! I just graduated with my bsn in dec. 2014 and landed my DREAM job at Parkland in dallas in the ER residency. I just took my nclex today and passed in 75 according to the Pearson vue trick and am beyond pumped to get this career going! I wanna know how to be the best ER nurse I can be as well! Thanks for starting this thread stephen1219 !!

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Specializes in ER.

Brand new - focus on assessment skills and time management (including priorities). Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't know how to do something/unsure/not confident doing it on your own - ASK. Your coworkers would rather you ask questions/ask help before you do potential harm. Same goes with doctors and even with experienced nurses. If I don't know how to do something/am unsure/not confident - I ask.

Learn drugs. Don't be afraid to take time to research in the IV drug book for meds or look up something you might not know. It takes time to learn the common ones. If you don't know what a prescription is, again, ask. I still do this on the surprise script I'm unsure about. Work in a big ER teaching facility? You might get new drugs. Don't be afraid to ask the doctor or call pharmacy about it.

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I just finished up my first year in the ER after a residency. The main thing that I can think that will be helpful is to try and be open minded and humble as possible. In my experience there is a bit of an initiation to see if you can make the cut. When you get criticism, take it, learn from it and become better. I have made mistakes that I learned from to become a better nurse. If you have questions or are unsure about how to do something, ask, and if you still don't know ask again. Be a hands on person and a go getter. Show them you want to be part of the team and that you can be relied upon. Good luck! You have chosen a great speciality area!

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Specializes in Emergency.
Oooo I'll be watching this thread too. !!

Speaking of watching, change that avatar to something other than an identifying picture of yourself. Probably want a different handle too.

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Specializes in MS, Emergency.

I will definitely review the primary assessment (ABCDEF), history of presenting illness or subjective and your head to toe assessment.

I'm currently on a specialty program in emergency nursing and these are definitely the corner stone of emergency nursing.

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Take TNCC. I took it as a new grad in my first month starting in the ED and felt that is had a great benefit to myself and it was required by my hospital. Also taking ACLS, PALS, and ENPC will help you better prepare.

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