Preparing for my 1st ER Job - Nurse Refresher Course in MA?

[echmorrill]

I am super excited that I found a position in an ER for my first job as a nurse. ER is definitely the speciality I love most, and I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to start out here! But I graduated from school 2.5 years ago, and I'm very nervous about loss of skills during that time (I had to move overseas right after school for my husband's job). I did a few nursing internships over the years while I was overseas, but I've never worked in a paid clinical role. I am looking at some of the nursing refresher classes at Boston College (PIV, phlebotomy, adult health assessment) to help regain some confidence, but these are just lab-based classes and I won't have time to enroll in a formal practicum anywhere before my new job starts.

1) Does anyone have any experience with the nurse refresher courses at Boston College?

2) Do you have any advice for otherwise preparing for my first job in the ER? I feel pretty solid on theory still, but I'm really just looking at getting my hands dirty (well, scrubbed and gloved, and THEN dirty) to regain confidence with the basics, like inserting IVs, taking blood cultures, identifying heart and lung sounds, ECG reading, and other common ER skills.

I plan to look into TNCC and CEN certifications after I start my new job, and I already have ACLS. I could do PALS, but I'd rather wait and get it through work (where it will be paid for). However, I'll do whatever I need to in order to be prepared and safe on my first day. Looking forward to your advice and thoughts!

[fernanie]

HI I am on pre-service training at ER right now. But I failed in performing assessments and charting in blank sheet. Can someone give me advice? thanks!

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

2) Do you have any advice for otherwise preparing for my first job in the ER? I feel pretty solid on theory still, but I'm really just looking at getting my hands dirty (well, scrubbed and gloved, and THEN dirty) to regain confidence with the basics, like inserting IVs, taking blood cultures, identifying heart and lung sounds, ECG reading, and other common ER skills.

Congrats on landing this position! How long is your orientation to the ER? It is likely that you'll get a lot of that stuff as a new employee. You should ask hospital education about any extra classes, like reading rhythms/EKGs, etc. Are they treating you as a new nurse?

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

There are lots of skills videos on YouTube which are so helpful. EmpoweRN is great and I recently discovered an older channel by hawknurse.

[rnjetta12]

Congratulations! I graduated in 2012 with my AAS in Nursing and could not obtain employment in a hospital as a RN. I recently started in an ER in NY with NO acute care experience (I worked as a school nurse and did case management). I have been on the floor for about a month with my preceptor ad have learned soooo much. I recommend watching youtube videos on phelbotomy, learn your lab values and just catch up on nursing interventionsfor now. You can also learn the cardiac meds, if you understand it. I am not ACLS and my director is sending me for the course when i become more familiar with the meds and rhythems. Your employer is aware that you are technically a new nurse and dont have much experience. When you get on the floor you will learn and jump at every opportunity to put a foley in, line and lab the pts and observe.