New Grad Possible Job in ER

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2009

You said it yourself. You know people who cant find jobs. You are best to take what you can get. It is going to be easier to move onward once you get into a system than to get in the first place. Just look at those who cant get in at all. Say in 6 months you dont like the ER you can alway transfer to another department, as priority is always given to in house staff over someone outside.

PAERRN20 · Oct 21, 2009

If the job is offered, take it. You don't have any other interviews scheduled so I wouldn't risk it. Even if I did have other interviews I would still take the first job that was offered to me. Work a year in the ER and if you don't like it you can leave. Once you have that year of experience you will be a much more attractive applicant.

getting2work · Oct 21, 2009

Thank you for your advice. I agree with you all, considering the circumstances. The ED is not going to be the easiest place to start out, but it is doable right? I always hear people saying that the one place new grads should never go is the ED because they flat out can't handle it and do not have the knowledge or the skills. I guess I am just afraid of failing even though I think once I get up to speed I will like it.

gibson0726 · Oct 21, 2009

I also agree with everyone, you should take the position. I have friends in school that would kill to be in your shoes! I totally know what you mean about something better being out there. My mom always told me that "one in the hand is worth 2 in the bush" :coollook:

Sounds like we are in the same boat. I just accepted a job in my first choice specialty, and I don't have any other interviews scheduled. This means I have to move to another city, but it is worth it because I actually have a JOB. A lot of new grads can't say that.

I know it is scary starting out, but you just have to work really hard to succeed. Since you have strong assessment and critical thinking skills, I think that you will be just fine. Good luck!

getting2work · Oct 21, 2009

CRXtech- What specialty are you going into?

Dinith88 · Oct 21, 2009

I am getting ready to graduate in about a month. There are people in my local area that still do not have jobs who graduated in May. I was offered a position in an emergency department of a mid size hospital. They have an excellent orientation program. I feel so torn because on one hand the economy is terrible nobody wants to hire new grads and I have a job offer. This was my first interview yet, and I have nothing else scheduled, but then what IF something better comes along. I love the ED environment and have worked in it before in a secretary capacity. (I know, completely different). Am I setting myself up for a failure? I would say that my assessment and critical thinking skills are in the top 25% of my class. I just don't know if I would be making a huge mistake by starting out in this area.

Go for it if they're offering. New grads commonly get scared and feel unworthy in almost any nursing environment...it passes. The thing to remember is that it's NOT rocket science, it will come to you eventually...and try not to mind the people you'll meet with poor attitudes. They're the ones compensating for their poor abilities by being bullies. ...but you know that.

Good Luck.

SeebachRN · Oct 21, 2009

I work in ED, and I can say that I did go straight from nursing school however I was a paramedic for several years prior. My suggestion to you is to go in with your head held high, and with the knowledge that you know very little. The nurses should respect that and try to help you out as much as possible. I know personally ED is where my heart is and always will be. I cannot imagine working anywhere else, but if you were coming on to my floor I would understand your a new grad and try to help as much as I could. We don't hire new grads anymore since last year, due to one sole incident. However I miss being able to learn from new nurses and able to pass down the tricks/tip/and nifty knowledge to them as well. Now all we have been hiring are annoying know it all nurses that think they have worked in the biggest and the baddest ED in the world and you just transfered down from med/surg and know nothing about a MVA, or true trauma's.

OK rant over. Good luck and if you need anything you always have this board which I only recently found and have fallen in love with. Something a fellow nurse tip'ed me off to.

gibson0726 · Oct 21, 2009

CRXtech- What specialty are you going into?

I will be starting in the NICU. I still can't believe it!

getting2work · Oct 22, 2009

Good for you CRXtech, that is awesome.

Thank you all so much for your input, SeebachRN and Dinith88, I do appreciate it so much. You know, I can talk to my husband about this stuff, but he just couldn't understand the predicament. This is such a great place to talk and share concerns that other people actually get.

PAERRN20 · Oct 22, 2009

Also I started out as a new grad in the ER. I am not going to lie- it was hard. But it is very doable. I had zero experience other than being a student nurse and over a year later I am doing fine. I still ask for help, still have trouble getting an IV every now and then, and still look up drugs on a daily basis. The doctors even ask my opinion and listen. You can do it just know the road is a rough one but we are here to help!

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Oct 22, 2009

hey even after 20+ years as ED and medic I still learn something every now and again, the day I a dont is the day it will be the time to pack it up and call it quits. That said I enjoy passing on my hard earned knowledge to the babies of the field.