newfloridaRN

Hi all; I'm an Emergency Room RN and trying to decide what I want to do for grad school, CRNA or CRNP. Most of the CRNA programs I've looked at require 1 year CC experience. Does anyone know if ER experience counts? I don't work in a level 1 trauma center, but have taken care of many CC patients in my day and have experience with drips, vents, etc. Thanks

Hey Everyone....You guys have been so helpful in the past that I thought I'd post yet another question! I recently re-located to a new area and I'm working in a new ER. This is only my second job as an ER nurse, as I graduated from school in 2002. The ER I used to work at did not require us to draw ABG's, as respiratory did this. However, my new ER requires ABG draws.... Does anyone have a good website that teaches you how to draw? Any hints or tips for someone who hasn't done it before? Thanks so much!

my least fav pt=c diff. hands down.

What makes an ER a Level 1, Level 2 trauma center, etc....?? Thanks!!

Do any of you mind sharing how much your base pay per hour is? I just got a new job, and I feel that my rate is less than I should be making in Pennsylvania. I mentioned my two years experience to the recruiter and she said that I would be making $1 more an hour for evenings and also for taking charge. She also said that I would be getting annual raises, so my rate should go up soon. What do you all make in your state?

anyone? please? its getting close to crunch time!

im interviewing tomorrow for a new job in an ER. i have two years previous ER experience...i'm moving to a new state as well. i was trying to compile a list of questions for my interviewer/manager. can anyone add to the list i already have? i want to make sure i cover all of my bases. thank you all so much!!! *Nurse to patient ratio *Autonomy *How many patients see per year? Month? Day? *Holding hours/admissions? *Report to floor *Fast track? Hours? *How many MD's on? *Charge nurse *Triage- primary & secondary? Wait times? Triage protocols? *Bonus/moving relocation *Differential *Shift/hours *Staff Meetings *Orientation time?

And the generic name for that begins with a C... Cephalexin=Keflex. Do you think that could be it??

KEFLEX (antibiotic) smells SOO terrible! Exactly like rotten eggs.

I absolutely LOVE being in triage. Even seeing 100+ patients/day BY YOURSELF. It's rough but I love it. I guess it takes a special person, lol. I wouldn't go out to triage before being an ER nurse for at least a year...at that facility. Most of it goes by gut instint, dont ya'll think?

are you guys serious? This is scary!! At most, I have four patients. If I'm assigned to the "critical rooms" which we put most AMI's/Resp Distress pts I only have 3. If I'm in Fast Track, I have six. I cannot believe you guys have one nurse for 7-8 patients. How can you possibly give quality care? That is so dangerous!

Angie O Plasty-- No problem. I am a newer ER nurse (2 years) and I don't understand the constant 'struggle' between ER nurses and Floor nurses. Sometimes we don't understand where each other are coming from, but we're doing the same job. Our Managers tell us that when the supervisor assigns us a bed upstairs, we should have the patient up within 1 hour. So if the ER brings a patient upstairs around shift change, it's usually only because that's when we got the bed assigned to us. It's a constant arguement b/w our charge nurses and the house supervisor. If they would just give us beds earlier in the day, it would make everyone's lives a little bit easier! Hope this helps.

I'm an ER RN.... We tend to send alot of admits up around change of shift because that's when the supervisors assign us beds. We've fought w/the sups to give us beds EARLIER so ya'll do n't have to deal w/new admits at shift change. However, when this happens-- I try to have everything done so that the floor nurse doesn't have much to do for that pt except a full assessment. I have all the meds given, labs drawn..., etc. I try to do that so we avoid conflict!!

I went into the ER right out of school. They put me through a 16- week training program (even experienced LPN's go through this) it was a great program and I'm SOOO glad I didn't do med-surge. I wouldn't have been happy doing that!

Help! I am moving to PA after working here in Floida. I have 2 years experience in a 22 bed (including express care) ER. I"m looking for an ER position in a similar type ER. I am not looking for a level 1 trauma center. Anyone in Western PA have great employers? Anyone recommend their ER? Also, what is the transfer process like to transfer my liscence? Please tell me I dont have to take that dreaded test again!! Thanks in advance!!