New Grad in ER with unsafe practice - Advice please?

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

As a licensed new grad in the NYC area my biggest fear right now is of course, not getting a job. A clinical instructor I am close with offered to help me get a position in a local ED (ED IS MY DREAM!!) where her husband is attending MD. When I did some research, I found that this hospital has less than satisfactory ratings by patients and national standards. One nurse I know who works at a different hospital nearby told me she has heard that there is some unsafe practice going on - she did not provide details.

I've already contacted the head of department who is supposed to call me this week to set up an interview.

How do I approach the possibility of remaining unemployed (I can see that student debt in my peripheral vision...) vs. working in a less-than-desired and possibly unsafe environment? I am especially concerned being that it's a first job and therefore will probably influence the way I practice forever, not to mention that I really really do not want to risk losing my license!

HELP?!:confused:

R!xter

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Specializes in Emergency.

take this job! what are you crazy!?!? :eek:

New grads jobs are not coming around very often, if ever, you take this job!

You can decide for yourself once you start working. Dont listen to what others say. You can always quit after 6mo-yr if you dont like it, but you will have experience and paychecks. You can do anything for 6mo-yr and you may end up with something you love and never want to leave...

Good Luck

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Specializes in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.
I am especially concerned being that it's a first job and therefore will probably influence the way I practice forever, not to mention that I really really do not want to risk losing my license!

That would be enough for me to look elsewhere for a job. The job market is tough but there are positions out there for new grads. I know how it feels to really want an ED position... that's where I want to be. You may have to sacrifice your dream position and work someplace where you don't feel like your license is a stake until a position is available elsewhere. But if you do get an interview, I would go anyway if nothing else but to get interviewing experience. Good luck!

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Congratulations on your license! Implied in your question is the realization that it's initially a lot like a learners permit. As a matter of concern for new grads, I always recommend a year of med/surg before going to the ER. Some do OK going right to the ER, but those who don't do well are devastated. A year of med/surg gets you confident with the basics. That said, if you go for an interview at this hospital, ask the manager outright about what you've been told. It shows you've done research. The worst that could happen is that you're denied or refuse a job in a questionable ER.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Thanks! I guess the only thing to do is go for the interview and take it from there...tough spot to be in!

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My only advice is to be VERY TACTFUL in how you ask your question about unsafe practice. Try to avoid saying that it's heresay and and if necessary reference your research. The last thing you want to do is seem disrespectful and burn a bridge (in the future your interviewer may be at a different, more desirable facility) You've got time so use it to develop your list of questions. A follow-up question might be what their action plan is to improve their rating.

Good luck!

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Specializes in CVICU, Obs/Gyn, Derm, NICU.
As a licensed new grad in the NYC area my biggest fear right now is of course, not getting a job. A clinical instructor I am close with offered to help me get a position in a local ED (ED IS MY DREAM!!) where her husband is attending MD. When I did some research, I found that this hospital has less than satisfactory ratings by patients and national standards. One nurse I know who works at a different hospital nearby told me she has heard that there is some unsafe practice going on - she did not provide details.

I've already contacted the head of department who is supposed to call me this week to set up an interview.

How do I approach the possibility of remaining unemployed (I can see that student debt in my peripheral vision...) vs. working in a less-than-desired and possibly unsafe environment? I am especially concerned being that it's a first job and therefore will probably influence the way I practice forever, not to mention that I really really do not want to risk losing my license!

HELP?!:confused:

R!xter

I would take it in this economy...however you must be conversant re the facilities policies ...you need to know these back to front.

Going to one of these places is so much easier for an experienced nurse than a newbie.

You will need be acutely aware of the trouble spots and make a plan to keep yourself safe.

Taking this job and surviving means that you will gain the much needed experience to move to another more desirable ED. It also means you have a foot in the door and can more easily transfer to another area with in the facility

I wouldn't ask the nurse manager or interviewer about what you have heard. If the facility is really dysfunctional .... it's managers wont handle perceived critique well.

Getting long with a potentially poor manager means giving them ONLY what they want to hear and see. A little trick is to mirror the attitude/behaviour/values they encapsulate.....they really like that and will employ you immediately. Good luck

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well having worked in a "questionable" er as a tech (it was my first position after cna license) there will probably be some practices that you dont agree with. But usually these practices will be staff imposed vs policy imposed by the hospital. the hospital has basic standards they have to keep up and while you can help improve them they are usually designed to meet jcaho standards (tongue in cheek). Keep one thing in mind though, these are your patients, you can make a difference in their care, and the hospital cannot legally make you do something that would jeopardize your license. it sounds like a caring, stand-up nurse would do the place some good. im actually planning om returning to the "questionable" er i started in (when I graduate 683 days to go) because those places are where caring quality nurses are most needed.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Do not go on hearsay - - you don't know if they are working hard on improving things right now. If you are offered the position, take it. The only way you will know anything is from the inside.

Best wishes, and keep your head down!

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You said a clinical instructor's hubby works here? In the ED? I would ask him for a meeting --- what are his thoughts about the ED? Does he have any insight to share?

Definitely be your own judge!

How many times did you go to ratemyprofessor only to completely disagree with the majority of the comments on there? You have to question the people who make comments (good or bad) - read between the lines. What are their motives? Do they really know what they're talking about? Are they complaining about things without knowing the whole story? Is their perception a little "off"? Is the whole dept running awry or could it perhaps be an individual or two that people were unhappy with?

You have to answer these questions for yourself and you can't do that until you see it first hand and make your own judgements. Apply. Go for an interview if it's offered. Then weigh your options again.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.
well having worked in a "questionable" er as a tech (it was my first position after cna license) there will probably be some practices that you dont agree with. But usually these practices will be staff imposed vs policy imposed by the hospital. the hospital has basic standards they have to keep up and while you can help improve them they are usually designed to meet jcaho standards (tongue in cheek). Keep one thing in mind though, these are your patients, you can make a difference in their care, and the hospital cannot legally make you do something that would jeopardize your license. it sounds like a caring, stand-up nurse would do the place some good. im actually planning om returning to the "questionable" er i started in (when I graduate 683 days to go) because those places are where caring quality nurses are most needed.

I agree with you completely! One thing that my clinical instructor told me is that they are desperate for nurses with good work ethic, which she knows I have as she has seen it for herself in clinical etc. However, I am still concerned because I am new, young, and impressionable!

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Specializes in geriatrics,med/surg,vents.

There are 10-15 hospitals withing a 25 mile radius of me,and no matter which one you mention somebody has a story about what a horrible place it is,how the Dr's and nurses don't have a clue what they're doing and the place should be/is going to be shut down etc.My advice would be to check it out yourself and make a decision based on what you see not what somebody else tells you.Unless of course the person you were talking to can show you some proof.

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