New Grad ------> ER Nurse

MikeyBSN · Sep 28, 2009

I highly recommend: "Emergency & Critical Care" Pocket Guide ACLS Version (2007) by Paula Derr. It was the best pocket guide ever recommended to me when I started. Almost all or our ED nurses carry it, we use it on a daily basis.

Annisme · Sep 29, 2009

In addition to all the wise advice given, you will also need comfortable shoes you can run in, your name on your stethoscope (they disappear regularly in the ER), gum or mints (helps with yucky smells), a water bottle (stay hydrated!) and a giant coffee cup! A stash of chocolate doesn't hurt either (unless you are diabetic.) :twocents:

OLDTRACKMEDIC · Oct 7, 2009

All those are good, but remember, find an older nurse and latch on to them. They have seen and done stuff you will never have the opportunity to do ( because in most states its illegal now) and will always be a great resource too in your career. Don't be afraid to say, "I've never done this, will you come hold my hand?"

streptococcus · Oct 7, 2009

LunahRN,

I am a paramedic / firefighter and will graduate from Excelsior College this October 16, 2009.

I am currently studying for the NCLEX and CEN.

My goal is to work as an ER nurse when I am off duty from the fire department.

I would appreciate any advise you have to offer on becoming an ER nurse.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Oct 8, 2009

LunahRN,
I am a paramedic / firefighter and will graduate from Excelsior College this October 16, 2009.
I am currently studying for the NCLEX and CEN.
My goal is to work as an ER nurse when I am off duty from the fire department.
I would appreciate any advise you have to offer on becoming an ER nurse.

Congrats!! My advice: it is important to realize that being an ED RN is really nothing like being a paramedic. Yes, there is much overlap in knowledge and hands-on skills, but it's still a different animal. My biggest hurdle was managing multiple patients while learning all the paperwork and forms and documentation! :) Don't get discouraged if you don't instantly "get it" on your first day. I've worked in the same ED since 2005, and became an RN in 2008. Even with all that time and knowing the way we do everything, there was still a learning curve!

Find an ED that is willing to provide you with a decent amount of orientation, too. Mine was something like 16 weeks, plus an ED nursing fellowship at our system's Level 1 -- that was all classroom and online training (ENA learning modules), but it was a great foundation.

Good luck!!! :)

spudpatch · Oct 11, 2009

Do you know why some versions of Emergency & Critical Care Pocket Guide ACLS Version by Paula Derr are almost $200 and others are only $15? Both versions seem to be pocket sized. Thanks for your help!