New Grad

[edvaz90]

I wanted to ask, I am currently a PCT in a level 1 trauma center, and in a second bachelors nursing program. What are some opinions and thoughts of going into a new grad program for emergency nursing vs starting off med surg and wait for at least a years experience before going into the ER? My last clinical setting was much like a med surg, and next semester will be med surg as well. I have an internship at the end of the program which I am considering applying for a med surg internship or an ICU internship to better prepare me to apply to a new grad ER nurse program. Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

ICU & ED are different animals. The only internship that will give you a taste of the ED is one in an ED.

[Nienna Celebrindal]

Do ICU in the ER you will have ICU patients until they can transfer to the unit.

New Grads can make it in the ER. It's what you make of it. It's going to involve a commitment to continued study outside of work and the mental fortitude to fight through tough days. If you feel that you can handle trial by fire then go for the ER. But if it sounds overwhelming or just outside of your comfort zone don't. You have to have an honest discussion with yourself. .

[RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN]

I just finished precepting in the ED (level 1 trauma center) and was hired into their new grad residency program starting early 2015. Every new grad position has a steep learning curve. It's what you make of it. I know I'm ready for it!

[nurseinnyc&nj, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

I started in a busy level 2 inner city ER as a new grad in july, 2013 without any experience and survived my first year and still enjoying and learning every minute of it! It is possible. I would straight go into emergency nursing.

[OBigdog26, MSN, RN, NP]

Prioritization and time management is essential in the ED. Also, having a good cohesive team will be helpful in a fast paced work place.

ICU is a lot of fun too, and you will learn a lot. I enjoy doing both.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[edvaz90]

I've been a tech in the ER for a year now so I have some idea of how it flows. Thank you for all the input guys.

[mrssunday, BSN, RN]

I worked in MEDSURG before I worked as an ER nurse. In my experience, I learned a lot as a MedSurg/Floor nurse. This made me experience what the patient's will go through after they are brought to the inpatient care setting. This would also give you a good building block if you transfer to ER or to a different nursing field. If you already have an experience in ER as a tech, in my opinion its best to learn from the MEDSURG floor too for you to know the difference and learn if you'll like that side of nursing or not.

[edvaz90]

My clinical are heavily based in medsurg. I have learned a vast amount of information. I know for a fact it is not exactly what I like nor where I want to be. However the information is important and has made me a better tech in the ER.

[tarotale]

It's a lot harder to get into ed now days. If you can't get in as intern, God knows how long you will be stuck in the floor until you make it? I was lucky to jump the ship after only one yr of bloody measure, but some are still desperate looking for ed position. If you can't get into ed, at least go for icu or imc/pcu wherever you can get som kind of higher acuity experience otherwise your potentials will be limited to just medsurg.

Like others said nowhere will give you ed experience but ed. My 1yr experience at floor was almost useless at the ed. Good luck!

[edvaz90]

I believe they'll accept me, especially since I've been an employee of the hospital for 5 years, 1 of those years being in the ER. I don't want to miss out on med-surg, but I could have a real easy opportunity to getting into the ER, especially a level 1 trauma center. After having experience here at my hospital I could essentially get in anywhere. However, I was nervous about weighing that against a solid med-surg base.What exactly would I be missing?