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 :)
RE: IV's, one of the best places to practice is the ED, so you're in the right place. As a new grad i started on med surg and it wasn't the same experience re: IV's. Once I got into the ED, within 1 week I was proficient. You start to get the "feel" of the IV as it hits the vein, watch for the flashback, and advance just a little more.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
I can't really add to what was already stated, except that once you get your flow down, help your coworkers out when they are swamped. If you are done with your charting and thinking of checking your facebook, go see if your coworker is drowning. Team work is huge in the ED.
1. THINK FIRST. ACT SECOND!! I can't stress this enough! Never forget - it is not about you, it is about the patient! 2. If you are in doubt about ANYTHING - meds, procedure, patient condition, whatever - ask another nurse or talk to the Doc! If you are drowning, ASK FOR HELP! Remember - it is not about you, it is about the patient! 3. When you do/witness something, document/chart it as soon as possible. You never know what's rolling down the aisle... 4. Assess. Assess. Re-assess. And assess again. A patient who looked stable 10 minutes ago might not be so stable right now. Patients roll into the ER with unknown etiology and maybe poor historians. NEVER assume anything! 5. There ain't no such thing as "too many vital signs." 6. If you're transporting someone on a monitor - be it to CT or be it to Tele/ICU - take some Epi and flushes with you. Having a patient crump in the elevator on the way to ICU is harder to deal with if you don't have resources. 7. NEVER ask someone to do something you are not willing to do yourself. Help your techs. Stock rooms/carts. If you find you have a few minutes to spare, ask around if anyone needs help. Trust me, there is ALWAYS something that needs to be done... 8. Be your own master. Don't let other nurses'/techs/team members dictate your practice. Set a good example. Be a team player - even when others aren't. 9. Take your breaks. Drink enough water. Go pee when you have to. Eat something nutritious during your shift. Take care of yourself. Unless someone is coding or unstable, they can wait 10 minutes... 10. Lastly - try and enjoy your shift. Me personally? I like sharing puns and "Dad jokes" and every once a while, I'll put on a clown nose while doing patient care. Both my colleagues and patients get a laugh out of it and it makes for a less stressful shift. ?
I love this thread! I'm graduating May 11th 2019 and I took a position in an ED for my first job. I worked in an ED as a tech for almost 2 years before nursing school and had my practicum in the ED. I'm nervous because its a level 1 trauma center and I worked in a level 3. I just want to be as prepared as possible. I'm absolutely going to purchase that book!
New grad starting ED also. I was about to buy Sheehy's Manual of Emergency Care they mentioned here, but can anyone tell me the difference between that and a CEN test prep book? I'm assuming Sheehy's is a necessity so I'll probably start there, but I was just curious since i will start trying to get a CEN cert after my first 12 months most likely.
New grad starting ED also. I was about to buy Sheehy's Manual of Emergency Care they mentioned here, but can anyone tell me the difference between that and a CEN test prep book? I'm assuming Sheehy's is a necessity so I'll probably start there, but I was just curious since i will start trying to get a CEN cert after my first 12 months most likely.
I've heard that it's premature for a new grad to go for the CEN, and that there's a reason they recommend at least 2 years experience before trying. I've also heard TNCC is easier. I don't have any firsthand knowledge as I'm brand new myself and I'm just trying to use my time between school and job to study ER stuff, just like you and the OP.
I've heard that it's premature for a new grad to go for the CEN, and that there's a reason they recommend at least 2 years experience before trying. I've also heard TNCC is easier. I don't have any firsthand knowledge as I'm brand new myself and I'm just trying to use my time between school and job to study ER stuff, just like you and the OP.
According to BCEN, they recommend 1 year of full-time experience.
I was encouraged to start thinking about taking it since I hit my 1 year mark in 2 weeks. I'm in the process of enrolling in some CEUs courses to prep for the exam per my hospital's education department.
According to BCEN, they recommend 1 year of full-time experience.
I was encouraged to start thinking about taking it since I hit my 1 year mark in 2 weeks. I'm in the process of enrolling in some CEUs courses to prep for the exam per my hospital's education department.
NuGuyNurse2b
927 Posts
RE: IV's, one of the best places to practice is the ED, so you're in the right place. As a new grad i started on med surg and it wasn't the same experience re: IV's. Once I got into the ED, within 1 week I was proficient. You start to get the "feel" of the IV as it hits the vein, watch for the flashback, and advance just a little more.