I went to ER out of school. Despite the cries of my teachers "That's not real nursing", "You can't do that, you need experience", "they will never hire a new grad", blah, blah, blah.
While when I look back, I clearly see that experience is what makes you a great nurse. Realizing after a any given situation, that incident will make you better are important also.
On a 1/10 scale:
1st 6 months - learning curve is a 10.
2nd 6 months - learning curve is a 7.5
3rd 6 months - learning curve is a 4
After 2 years it's always a 2-3, you never know enough, or everything.
I was hired part time 40hrs per pay (2 week period), but worked on the average of 90 hours a pay, and read in my off time, and paid attention to everything. I took my ACLS, PALS, BTLS, MICN, CEN all within 14 months. Even after everybody said wait until your in the ER for 2-3 years to take the CEN. I wanted to know all the answers to everything, all the meds and S/E's of meds, procedures, helping with procedures, and how to manage a patient on my own when the ER physician wasn't readily available.
By my 3rd year, I felt I had it down pat. All of it helped immensly. Even though I'm not there now all those things have carried over to now, that give me the insight, assessment skills, and thought proccess take handle a situation. I don't regret it for a second. They were all wrong. Just remember it doesnt all come to you overnight.
cya :)
