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Discussion

newER

I have recently been offered employment at a local ER. I do not have nursing experience. I have been in EMS for 11 years, 7 as a paramedic in an advanced system (pumps, drips, paralytics, narcotics, etc). While I feel confident in my pt care and decision making, I am not familiar with anything hospital-wise. I know I will be precepted and all that, but I am looking to get a head start by asking for both general advice and tips and things that you wish you knew when you started in the ER. Thanks in advance.

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    So, are you a nurse now? I can't tell from your post...

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    So are you a nurse now? I can't tell from your post...[/quote']

    I think he's a new grad...

    I think you'll do well. I'm a medial assistant with 8 years of experience going to b a nurse soon and I feel confident .. I'm sure u will b a great nurse because you have the basics...

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    • Author

    sorry, yes, I passed the nclex last august. I only did it for NP school, but they wouldn't take me without nursing experience, so here I go...

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    You'll be taught. You'll do. You'll either love it or hate it, lol. I went through RN training and work as a RN only to get into a psych NP program (which I'm in). There are many of out there like you.

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    With your background, I don't think transitioning into the hospital setting will be that difficult for you.

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    sorry yes, I passed the nclex last august. I only did it for NP school, but they wouldn't take me without nursing experience, so here I go...[/quote']

    Just don't say this in front of the majority of nurses you work with. LOL

    Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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    sorry yes, I passed the nclex last august. I only did it for NP school, but they wouldn't take me without nursing experience, so here I go...[/quote']

    I echo the advice, do NOT say during an interview that you want to be an NP. I know my ER hires new grads and my boss has told me she has turned down new grads when they tell her the only reason they picked our hospital was because they want to go back to school and we offer tuition reimbursement.

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    • Author

    oh well, too late for that I guess. I'm looking for actual er nursing advice though. thanks.

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    • Experts
    sorry, yes, I passed the nclex last august. I only did it for NP school, but they wouldn't take me without nursing experience, so here I go...
    Yeah.......I wouldn't be too public that you are only in to til you become an NP....you know us ED nurses might not take that well. Most "hard core" ED nurses don't want to take the time with someone who is using them as a stepping stone. While your boss might know I would keep it on the DL from the staff especially at first.

    The roll of a paramedic and a nurse while similar are very different. To be honest I think you are going to be frustrated by the lack of autonomy especially at first....for you will have to "ask" the MD and not "do" by your assessment. Especially If you went to an online school....you are in for an adjustment about how nurses are actually treated.

    You are accustomed to making your own decisions based on your assessment.... you won't be able to do that as a nurse......not like a medic in the field. Nurses can't/don't intubate. We need to ask to start the dopamine, give epi.....etc.

    You will need to remind yourself that you are a nurse now and act accordingly. I have been a medic and well as a nurse...I was a nurse first.....it "expanded my skill base. I have worked with medics that were initially VERY FRUSTRATED with how the nurses were treated and what little input they actually had....and how the MD's treated them.

    As a medic you might be frustrated at first at what you can't do....especially when there is a patient that they can't intubate....remember you are now governed by your RN license and hospital policies regarding nurses ..... not that you are a paramedic or what you can do as a medic.((HUGS))

    Take deep breaths...remember you are now learning THIS role. I wish you the best.

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    I had my LPN did floor nursing and ED and then went and got my paramedic did ground, and flight returned to the ED as an LPN while going back to school to get RN. A couple of things that I tell paramedics that are getting their RN. 1) at times you will be frustrated when you have to ask to start some medications that as a paramedic you could just hang, same with intubations. 2) the hardest time that medics turned nurse have is caring for multiple patients at a time. Just remeber there is a learning curve and enjoy it

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    • Author

    thanks. that's a good point about multiple pt's. that will be very different. fortunately they have a 4:1 ratio where I'm going so it won't be as bad as a lot of them are.

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    thanks. that's a good point about multiple pt's. that will be very different. fortunately they have a 4:1 ratio where I'm going so it won't be as bad as a lot of them are.

    Staff 4:1 or a hard set ratio of 4:1? Methinks the former. Which means it's a guideline. When everybody has 4 pts and the squad rolls in with cpr in progress as a chest pain and a new onset facial droop/slurred speech come into triage at the same time, you might see a modification to that ratio. Could be wrong.

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