Okay guys, give it to me straight. What are going to be my biggest challenges transitioning from being a medic to working as an ER nurse?
I know that I feel comfortable with ACLS, PALS, 12-leads, IV's and other "medic stuff". In addition, I have worked offshore as a medic where we do suturing, antibiotics, advanced airways, etc. I am very comfortable with triaging, patient assessments, and the general management of chaos. I am a whole lot LESS comfortable with the more "nursy" things like foley caths, bed baths, etc.
I know that I need to ask my preceptors lots of questions and to work hard to get out of the medic mindset, but it is my hope that my experience as a street medic will enhance my ability as an ER nurse rather than detract from it.
I would enjoy hearing from anyone else that made the transition from the ambulance to the ER.
Where I worked we had lots of autonomy. Thing to remember is that you do not know everything! Just because you had more skills than most RN's (intubating, and IV in dirty filthy field and other critical skills) you are now an RN and there is a certain amount of professionalism that is different from the "field" and you will be expected to be humble, although I find it amazing that our medics can do the wonderful things they do. After you work for awhile you will be accepted as one of us, nothing against medics because I think they are terrific, but a change in roles is often hard for people to accept but it can and will be done in due time. Congratulations and welcome aboard. Also now you will need to be a little more hands on with your patients no longer treat and street in under and hour.
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Education, Informatics.
Thanks, I really appreciate that! :) I know that working in the ED has definitely made me a better medic, too. (Although I do get the occasional hairy eyeball from my medic partner when I use nasal cannulas instead of non-rebreathers in the field ... he tells me the ED has ruined me. I just can't bring myself to blast everyone with O2 @ 15 LPM! Sure, some need it, but not everyone.)
Sounds like me, bu im my case my young EMT partner looked at me and siad "you sound like a ##### nurse" All becaue I didn't think 9L of NS in 9 Bloocks was a god thing for my patient. :)
Keep you head down, eyes and ears open, and mouth shut. Take in everything because the ER is different then the field. I agree with the other postings - the loss of autonomy will probably be the biggest struggle but in the mean time you gain something else. You become part of a larger team and you get to see what happens to the patient after then are dropped off at the ER.
The one thing I disagree with is the comment that medics have better skills the ER RNs. Either this person is a new RN (less then 5 years) or someone who never developed a confidence in their own abilities. It's much more difficult to put a foley cath (and maintain sterile technique) in a 300 lb. woman then it is to intubate the typical code.
It's much more difficult to put a foley cath (and maintain sterile technique) in a 300 lb. woman then it is to intubate the typical code.
LOL ... having done both, I have to agree! I do Foleys where I work as a tech ... sometimes I wish I didn't! Seriously, thanks for the advice -- it's appreciated!
I just can't bring myself to blast everyone with O2 @ 15 LPM! Sure, some need it, but not everyone.)
Seriously, thanks for the advice -- it's appreciated!
TRAMA1RN
174 Posts
Where I worked we had lots of autonomy. Thing to remember is that you do not know everything! Just because you had more skills than most RN's (intubating, and IV in dirty filthy field and other critical skills) you are now an RN and there is a certain amount of professionalism that is different from the "field" and you will be expected to be humble, although I find it amazing that our medics can do the wonderful things they do. After you work for awhile you will be accepted as one of us, nothing against medics because I think they are terrific, but a change in roles is often hard for people to accept but it can and will be done in due time. Congratulations and welcome aboard. Also now you will need to be a little more hands on with your patients no longer treat and street in under and hour.