new grad, just hired in ER, question.

[inodou]

I don't graduate until May, but I have already been given a job in the ER. I have been a EMT since 97 but I know that is a whole different world from nursing. My question is, Will I be missing out on important nursing knowledge by not working on a med-surg floor first?

They are going to start me out as a nurse extern until I graduate so I can ease into it a little first.

[Pinky2]

I would love to work Grady ER in about a million years when I get done with school! Lordy Grady would be hard and I can only imagine what you would get in the door! Best of luck to both of you!

[Stitchie]

I was one of those who started in M/S on a vent unit and wasn't crazy about it. Now that I'm in the ER (again) in a 'transition' program, I like it much better and I have much more confidence.

If you want ER, start there!

[andhow5, BSN, RN]

I was an EMT in an ED before becoming a new RN in an ED. I also heard the bit about, "Start on Med-Surg first". I completely ignored that bit of advice because I knew where I wanted to be, and I was confident of my skills, and I was ready for the challenge.

I haven't regretted it a single bit.

I think that being an EMT before becoming an RN in the ED is a great help. You aren't totally unfamiliar with the way things operate.

Take advantage of every learning opportunity that comes your way. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Never be afraid to say, "I'm not sure. Let me see if I can find a good answer for you."

Once you're out of orientation, they shouldn't throw you straight into the trauma or code rooms (although ANY room has the potential for being a trauma or code room). They'll start you off with the less critical stuff.

Once you get some time under your belt, and achieve extra certifications (PALS, ACLS, TNCC) you'll start getting the more serious stuff. You're never alone - there are always nurses to bounce ideas off of, ask questions of, and ask for help.

Everyone had their first day, month, year in the ED and can remember the days they got puckered over nothing... And also the days that they should've gotten puckered but didn't... LOL!

If you had to take BTLS for your EMT, then TNCC will be a piece of cake for you. Actually, the Trauma Assessment you had to perform for your skills test on your EMT is a really good start!

I might get slammed for saying this, but I don't feel like there is that much difference in the way I assess my patients by being an EMT or an RN. It all starts the same:

Scene safe (is that patient psychotic and trying to shove the gurney into the sink with a machete while screaming that the monkeys are singing, "I'm Henry the 8th"?), airway, breathing, circulation, focused assess on the complains/of (SAMPLE here)...

You'll never know unless you just jump in and go for it. Just stick with it, and you'll be amazed at how quickly the first year goes, and how much you've grown!

Good luck!