Not sure what to do... RN/BSN with no position in nursing school, but want to work in ER

[Axmann, RN, BSN, NREMT-B]

Long story short, I didn't have a nursing position when I was in nursing school.

I want to work in the ER eventually, but I have—admittedly—very limited experience.

1. Am I screwed if I want to work in the ER eventually? Is there no path to the ER for someone who didn't have a student nurse position in nursing school?

2. Should I hold out for a med-surg position, or keep applying to ER positions?

In desperate need of advice here.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Why do you have to have a student nurse position?

[verene, MSN]

I don't think having a student nurse position is at all required for obtaining employment after graduation. You may have better luck getting an ED position after school if you can get into a new grad residency program. I know a a couple new grads who managed to get ED positions through residency programs.

[cleback]

Not required but experience helps of course. You should try to get a feel for the new grad market in your area.

[db2xs]

Long story short, I didn't have a nursing position when I was in nursing school.

I want to work in the ER eventually, but I have—admittedly—very limited experience.

If by "nursing position" you mean being a CNA in school, I was not a CNA in school and got a job eventually in the field I was interested in (not emergency).

The classmates of mine whom I can think of who wanted to work in ED and got into ED out of school had at least some sort of experience in the ED, whether that was working as a CNA, doing their senior preceptorship in an ED, or getting into a new grad residency program.

[shedevilprincss]

I was a new grad ADN, no CNA/tech/ED experience. I got in through a new grad program.

I don't want to crush your dreams/try to change your mind at all (I love ED, it was my first choice and I wouldn't change it for the world). It was HARD. My nurse manager warned me it would be hard without any experience and it definitely was. I was on the stress diet, I lost like 15 lbs, and I cried a lot. It takes perseverance and I didn't feel comfortable even a little until 8 months in. So just keep that in mind and don't give up. And have a good stress outlet.

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

There are at least 10 in my graduating ADN class that are going directly into an ED new-grad residency right away, with no prior hospital work experience aside from clinicals. It's possible!