New grad nurse in Emergency Department

Published

Hi everyone!

I graduated in May, passed boards mid July, and now starting my first RN job in 2 weeks! I will start my first RN job in the emergency department. I am so nervous and excited! Does anyone have any suggestions on things I can do to prepare for my first nursing job in ER? I have been reviewing pain meds and a few common respiratory and cardiac emergencies and also watching YouTube videos on other ED nurses. Tomorrow I plan on going over a few skills as a refresher.

Thanks everyone! Any advice is greatly appreciated :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

Do a search on new grad in ER and there are tons and tons of posts. You should find loads of info.

My best advice is to ask questions. Don't act like you know everything and certainly do not be a know-it-all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! Fellow New Grad in the ED. I started in June. I would suggest buying Sheehys Manual of Emergency Nursing, it goes over the most common emergencies grouped into different body systems. Its concise and lists the s/s, diagnostics and interventions. Its very helpful! Also, I would recommend taking TNCC if you arent already required to. It changes the viewpoint and it gives you a way to rundown every patient and serves as a base even if you find yourself lost with a really sick patient. Also, always know what and why you are giving every medication. Don't catch yourself behind the mark by giving a medicine without knowing a common side affect to be prepared, I think that has been one of the hardest parts of being new in the ED.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you!! Is this book blue and orange with yellow writing on the cover?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Congratulations! I walked the stage on a Friday and started in a pedi ER as a GN the following Monday. I didn't know S##T from Shinola. I learned from other nurses of course, and my preceptor of course, but the person I learned the most about starting IVs from was a nurse aide that had worked there for about 10 years before I came on board. She had seen every nurse starting IVs over the years and had mastered the knowledge of what was the best vein presentation, what works and what doesn't work. I will always be grateful for her patience and insight with me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats!

Don't get too frantic about trying to pre-learn content prior to even starting orientation - there will be a lot and you can review specific content areas as you encounter them or according to what you are learning in orientation. Get the Sheehy's manual mentioned above if possible.

I think the best thing you can do right now is focus on going in with a great attitude:

Pleasant

Inquisitive/interested

Quick (no moseying around)

Observant

Good communication

The right amount of confidence: not too much/not too little :)

Best of luck! Come back here and let us know how it's going ~

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love this! Thank you! :)

I will definitely come back and post after my first week!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SRNA.

This thread is pretty helpful. I'm also a new grad and have an interview next week for an ED position.

I have 2 years of experience working in UC so I felt like it's just a natural progression to start out in the ER.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good luck on your interview! I had a few clinical based questions for my interview: Pt comes in with chest pain, meningitis, stroke, TB...etc and what do you do. And then of course the typical tell me about your self, why do you want to work here, why should be hire you opposed to other candidates.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency medicine.

Be nice and don't be afraid to ask questions :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Hey there!

I just started the ED last April. A good key is to always ask questions there is for sure no dumb questions when it comes to emergency care. Ask your other ED nurses about the certain flows of other ED docs so you can begin to see what patterns they follow and you know what to look for along with the physician.

Be sure you are able to locate crash carts and certain protocols (Red books in our facility), when it comes to putting in IV's that comes with time and you'll be awesome at it with some practice! You'll master a lot of skills in what seems like such a short amount of time, don't be afraid to branch out and try something new with some assistance (Port access, NG tubes, Caths, and even EJ IV's (( You will probably need cont. edu. for that)) )

The most important thing is to keep your head up because there will be sometimes you don't think you can do it but, you can!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion