New grad in the ER seeking advice

KGMM · Oct 10, 2013

Congrats and best of luck to you!!! How exciting!!! I'm a new grad and have an interview for an ER position tomorrow...any tips?

ERnursebythebay · Oct 10, 2013

Thank you very much and good luck on your interview. My interview was actually very low key and I didn't get asked a lot of scenario type questions but it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for a few just in case. In my case, they wanted to know what I could offer that others may not and why I wanted to work in the ER. It's not for everyone and I think you have to have a certain kind of sense of humor and a desire for a fast paced environment. I'm sure you will do just fine, just be yourself and be honest with your answers. If you have questions, write them down so you don't forget once you are in the room and the nerves kick in. Good luck to you...I hope it works out in your favor.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 10, 2013

What type of orientation will you have? In my ER, it's a 3 month combination of classroom & hands-on with a copy of Sheehey's loaned to you. I thought it was a great resource. I would suggest joining the the ENA, the Journal they put out has many excellent articles that will help you in practice.

ERnursebythebay · Oct 10, 2013

My orientation will be about 3 months as well and yes, I will have classroom time mixed in. I start next week. I know we have a skills day and an ECG and dosage cal test as well. At some point after that I will have a critical care class. It has just been a couple of months since graduation and I haven't actually performed any skills in awhile so that makes me a little nervous. But, mostly I just want a good resource to be able to use. I know there is so much that I don't know and so many things I've never seen before that will be coming through those doors. I would like to prepare my mind as much as possible. Thank you for advice about ENA. I checked it out and I'm going to join. It looks like a great resource.

Blessed2b_anRN · Oct 11, 2013

I just started in the ED in August and my Educator gave me a copy of "Patient Crisis and Critical Thinking" by Carol Whiteside. It is written in a very easygoing manner and I have enjoyed it so far. I haven't finished it all, but I would recommend getting it. It explains pathophysiology in a story-like way but also helps you develop some critical thinking! Welcome to the club! I hope you love it :)

p.s. In regards to an interview, definitely think of experiences you have had in clinicals, what you saw and why you are passionate about coming to the ER. I messed up my first interview for a bariatrics/cardiac floor by saying I'd like to start in the ED, so I learned quickly to love any position I was applying for

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Oct 18, 2013

I also second joining the ENA. They send you the Journal of Emergency Nursing that contains a wealth of information that is very relevant to ER nursing practice. I receive other journals as well (Critical Care Nurse, American Journal of Critical Care [since I am also a member of the AACN] and the American Journal of Nursing) but I find that not everything is relevant to my specialty at times. There are also free CEU opportunities for ENA members.

I am pro-Sheehy's. I just think it's a great book to use as a reference and if you're planning on going for your CEN certification down the road, I think the book is a great study tool. I also like Fast Facts for the ER Nurse and Emergency Nursing 5-Tier Triage Protocols (if your hospital uses ESI to triage patients).

Emilynn09 · Oct 28, 2013

Hello everyone, I am a new grad about to start my first job in the ER of a large, busy hospital. Any advice on resources to use for reference or just helpful information would be appreciated. I have read posts saying that Sheehy's Manual for Emergency Care is good and others saying it isn't worth the money. What books would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

I have my own resource book that I put together, it's a 3 ring binder and it has all my hospital protocols with a lot of the common critical care drips and other things that I encounter often in the ED. It has my lab values in it, etc. I used to use it a lot more when I was brand new in the ED, but I still use it from time to time now when I need to look up the specific protocol for titrating drips. I always say better safe than sorry!

Guests · Nov 3, 2013

I like Jean Proehl's book, "emergency nursing procedures." It provides step-by-step instructions for just about everything in the ED. I have both a hard copy and a Kindle copy. I'm down with Sheehy's manual, too (again, I have both hard copy and e-copy)