New job - ER

tech1000 · Jun 9, 2014

I'm curious as to why you've had a hard time keeping a job? Be proactive, help your team, ASK QUESTIONS, take responsibility when you mess up.

jlw5 · Jun 26, 2014

Apparently I have trouble with interpersonal relationships.

Way to judge me though.

c.kelly20 · Jun 26, 2014

I think I can help! Or at least offer you some comfort. I left a medsurg job after my first 6 months as a nurse there, because WOOF. I hated medsurg. But, I started working in a fairly busy ER as well.

Honestly... There's no real way to prepare yourself of what to expect because every single patient/day is different. BUT, you will begin to have your own 'flow' of doing things. For example, 99% of the patients that come into my ER with abdominal pain have the same initial workup (IV, labs, fluids, urine sample). So, when I see that patient show up on my board, I immediately do that stuff so that it's already done by the time the MD orders it. Like I said, you'll get into the groove of these things as you go. I've only been there for a little over 4 months now, and am coming up on the end of my first year as a nurse. We have a lot to learn. The ER is a lot of pressure on anyone, especially a new nurse, but we CAN learn a lot there.

Take advantage of the opportunities that the ER brings with it. My employer wanted to send me to a basic arrhythmia course a few months into being there -- I insisted that I'd rather attend it sooner than later, because I wasn't extremely comfortable reading rhythms as my previous job didn't require it. They bumped it up for me. They've also re-certified me in ACLS, and are certifying me in PALS. I bought an EKG book that I've taken to work with me and looked over during slow times, along with an emergency nurse pocket book. It sounds dorky, but it gives you something to reference if need be. This is the best way to learn, along with asking the nurses around you. This environment is fast-paced and every decision we make is critical. We pull/mix our own meds before pharmacy verifies it, take verbal orders, and are extremely autonomous.

Don't be afraid to question orders. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If I'm discharging a patient with a prescription for something I've never heard of, I look it up... Because how can I educate them if I don't even know it?

My best advice: Don't be so critical of yourself. Give yourself plenty of time to adjust and grow and learn.

Good luck!!

Guests · Jun 27, 2014

Jun 7 by jlw5
Hello all,
You all have given me wonderful advice in the past, so I was hoping for some before I start my new journey.
I've had a hard time keeping a job (and it's incredibly frustrating!!) and this one HAS to stick. I landed a job in a fairly busy ER. I plan to do my year (or 2) and head back home. I had to move 2.5 hours away from my family, which isn't terrible, but I already miss them and I have been here 2 days!
So if anyone could give me suggestions on how to act in the ER, what to expect, ect, I would appreciate it!
Thanks!

Be very cautious... you're going into it as a short-timer ("plan to do my year") and short-timer's syndrome is often very obvious to everyone around you.

If you already have difficulties with keeping jobs, this one is probably at very high risk, as well.

DayDreamin ER CRNP · Jun 28, 2014

If you are considering this job as a temporary gig, I think you should look elsewhere. It takes a year just to be comfortable as a nurse in the ER and about 3 years to be competent and another 2 after that to be "highly skilled."

It is always very evident to me when a nurse is just getting "some ER experience" before moving on. If you tend to job hop, this is probably not a good place to land.

As far as asking us how to act....Don't act like a know-it-all.

Also, do some searches on this subject. There are multiple posts on this subject.

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