New Grad Work Question?????

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I just have a question.. I don't know if everyone knows how hard it is to find a job for new grads here in NY. My best friend's sister is a nurse and works in the ER unit. She asked me if I would be interested working in the ER because there's an opening in her unit. My dilemma is I don't know If I am capable of working in ER and Im scared. Also you know how everyone is saying that Med/Surge or ICU should be the starting job for newly grads. But I am also in need of work and have not heard anything from the hospitals Ive applied for, so I also feel I shouldn't turn this offer down. :confused: I just want hear everyone's opinion. Thank you

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I would definitely encourage you to apply, especially if you aren't hearing from anyone at the moment. As a job hunting new grad I understand how the job market is like in NYC. Take what you can in this economy. Plus ER experience is great. You can branch off into so many other fields later on if you want ie L&D, Med/Surg, Neuro, Resp... I mean you'll be exposed to so much. And once you get your foot in the door, you're in, you can always transfer to another unit.

I can understand your hesitation though. It's an ER. We're new at this field. Patient turnover is high, you have to asses quickly but thoroughly, watch for signs of decline and decompensation, manage your area, take notes, transfer patients, admit patients, give meds, and et cetera all in a very high energy, quickly paced environment. But this is real nursing. While in my senior year of nursing school, I knew one of the students from the year before who'd landed an ER position. She told me it was stressful (which is the common complaint of many if not all new grads) and a lot of work but at the same time, she was learning a whole lot. I see it as an amazing opportunity. Imagine what your assessment skills, your patient and time management etc will be like in a few years time. If they hire you (let's say when to be more positive), they'll know that you're a new grad. You'll have orientation, you'll be precepted, you already know a nurse there and you'll have the nursing support staff.

So, just think about it, but not for too long, there are so many schools churning out new grads like us, not to mention the huge population of nurses out of a job or returning to work because of the economy. Job hunting is networking as well as applying. If you have an opportunity presented by a friend, take it.

Good luck :)

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Thank you so for your great input gnatRN!!!

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What hospital offered a new grad a spot in the ED? New York state law states you can't be hired there without a year of experience. The only hospital I know that gets around this is New York Presbyterian because they have a full year residency for their new grads in the ED. Maybe that's just for the city? Or level 1 trauma centers?

I'm starting in an ED this summer as a new grad and could not be more excited. I did my senior clinical there and it really is an amazing place but it does take a very specific type of person. It's fast-paced, takes lots of critical thinking, and extremely good time management. You also need to come to work with a sense of humor because joking about the things you see day in and day out is one of the best ways to get through it. There's a strong camaraderie among the nurses and other staff members from what I've seen. Lastly but most importantly, prioritize!

If this sounds like something you'd like then go for it! Each day is new and different as well as exhausting and challenging. I love it and hopefully you will too!

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Specializes in PCU, LTAC, Corrections.
I just have a question.. I don't know if everyone knows how hard it is to find a job for new grads here in NY. My best friend's sister is a nurse and works in the ER unit. She asked me if I would be interested working in the ER because there's an opening in her unit. My dilemma is I don't know If I am capable of working in ER and Im scared. Also you know how everyone is saying that Med/Surge or ICU should be the starting job for newly grads. But I am also in need of work and have not heard anything from the hospitals Ive applied for, so I also feel I shouldn't turn this offer down. :confused: I just want hear everyone's opinion. Thank you

I think you should take the job. You have to get over your nervousness. I think all new grads have this issue. It is a jump from clinicals into practice. Once you go through orientation and then have a few months experience you might feel better

Then if you really find that the ER is not the place for you you could possibly do an internal transfer.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I started as a new grad in a level 1 trauma ED in NYC. It was a great experience and I learnt so much. I say go for it!

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