any o' yall ever been a ER tech????

Keely-FutureRN · Jun 25, 2005

I'm not an ER tech but I have some friends that are. Usually they like you to have your EMT-basic at least. It's kind of a combination of a cna job but with more priviledges (You can start iv's, draw blood, etc.) I know some great ER techs and they love their job. Good luck

Keely

LynRN04 · Jun 25, 2005

hey folks i was thinkin bout getting om as an ER tech while I'm in nursing school...i was wonderin maybe someone out there knows something bout that like what they do? how much can it help school? how do doc's treat em? appreciate all yall
BIG NATE STAN BILOXI, MS

I was an ER Tech for a couple of years before nursing school. Don't know about your state but in the 2 that I've worked in they require an EMT-I. You do CNA stuff, as indicated before, plus start IV's, draw labs, apply fiberglass splints to fractures, and generally assist the nurses. I was treated well, as are the ERT's that work in our ER now. It's not a bad job. If you are looking for floor experience, though, I would definitely take the CNA class (I think it's like 6 weeks or so) and do that while you're in school. Some nursing schools require that anyway, and it's an excellent idea. I was not a CNA first, and I wish I had been. Thank God I work with an excellent group of CNA's who are willing to teach an RN to do stuff! Good luck to you! (Hope this helps a bit, even though it's long winded!) Lyn

MIA-RN1, RN · Jun 30, 2005

hey folks i was thinkin bout getting om as an ER tech while I'm in nursing school...i was wonderin maybe someone out there knows something bout that like what they do? how much can it help school? how do doc's treat em? appreciate all yall
BIG NATE STAN BILOXI, MS

I am starting as an ER tech in a few weeks. My job description includes caths, EKG's, splinting, dressing care (to a point, not sure how much), blood draws (they are going to certify me in phlebotomy the first week with 50 sticks), and assisting the MD's by setting up trays (for spinal taps etc). Plus vitals and the usual tech stuff.

I don't have any EMT training at all. I finished two of four clinical semesters in my nursing program so far and I have AHA BLS, and experience as a medical assistant in an ambulatory care office. So not all ER techs need to be EMT certified; prolly depends on state/agency.

I am really really excited because it will help immensely w/ my skills. I am going to have a preceptor for 4 weeks working one on one either w/ another experienced tech and/or RN.

Floor techs in the hospital usually are doing beside care like Vitals, toileting, walking. ER techs do WAY more and it sounds like much more fun to me. Plus they make more money too

IVyPush-her · Jul 6, 2005

hey folks i was thinkin bout getting om as an ER tech while I'm in nursing school...i was wonderin maybe someone out there knows something bout that like what they do? how much can it help school? how do doc's treat em? appreciate all yall
BIG NATE STAN BILOXI, MS

Hi

I worked as an ER tech for a few months during nursing school. Where I worked the docs were great and I learned a lot. However, they demanded more time than I had available or willing to give.

Another thing to think about...Is this where you hope to work as an RN?

That was something that came into play or me. I wanted to work in the OR so I gave up my position to focus on school.

However, I accepted a tech position in the OR a few months before graduation. I knew I wanted to work there so basically it was a foot in the door for me. I was offered a RN position before graduation.

Soooo, if the ER is where you want to work as a RN you should do it if time allows.

Good Luck

Julie

RoxanRN · Jul 6, 2005

I worked as an ER Tech while going to school. I did 99% of the things listed above. The most frustrating part was as an EMT-P, I was NOT allowed to start any IVs or even DC them. Hospital policy. I haven't investigated to see what the KS NPA says about it. You would do well to make sure you know what you can and can't do BEFORE you take an ER Tech job. Will it be worth it?

student4ever · Jul 8, 2005

I'm an ER tech and I love it. I get to do EKGs, lab draws, foleys, vitals, assist the nurses with their duties, set up trays, chaperone during pelvics, etc. The only thing I'm really not allowed to do is give meds or do IVs either starting or d/c them. I'm getting so much experience that I know will help me when I get into the clinical nursing program. The docs and nurses really love us techs (at least those of us who do our job right and stay on top of things), because we're able to lighten their loads considerably. Floor techs don't do HALF of what we do, and it's great that the nurses can keep up with their charting and other procedures because we can do so much, since our ER is very busy and always running behind. It's busy and very tough, especially when you work nights and there are never more than 2 techs on for the whole ER - I'm always running around doing lab draws, setting up trays, checking vitals, etc. Makes the time go by faster though! I would recommend it to anyone interested. I actually took a pay cut to do this job, but I'm getting so much overtime it's worth it (in Admitting where i worked before, we were paid well but not allowed any overtime no matter what). I love that I'm getting comfortable with a lot of procedures and how to relate to patients before I ever start clinicals - I'll be way ahead of most of my classmates.