inteRN

Thank you! That helps!

I am precepting a floor nurse who just decided to come to ER. She is currently in the internship program. this has been challenging for me because I have never precepted anyone, we are extremely short staffed though. I have been a ER nurse for 4 years so I have experience, just not precepting experience. Any tips? THe most challenging thing for me is changing her mindset from floor nursing to ER.

Im looking to travel for a little bit. I live in texas right now and have 3-5 years ER experience as an RN. How do I do it? What companies are good? I don't really know where to begin. Can anyone give me some advice on how to start? Thank you!!!!

Thank you both for replying! This is stuff I dont know, sounds good to me! I appreciate it!

I have only been nursing for about 3 years in the ER. I've become pretty good at starting IV's and love to try and get the "hard sticks." If I could start IV's all day that's what I'd do. Everyone asks why I dont become a PICC nurse, but that doesnt sound too appealing, but maybe I would like it. Are they're any nursing areas that require alot of IV experience besides ER? I'm starting to get burned out on ER.... Thanks for any advice!!

Thank you so much for your reply! This helps :)

I'm a relatively new ER nurse (18 mos exp) and just transferred from a small ER to a big one for more experience...the problem is this ER sees SO many kids!!! I am not familiar with peds and it seems like we start IV's on all of them...any tips on keeping the kids calm?? They are such a different breed! Also...any advice on how to not look so dumb in a code??? That was another thing we rarely used to see! Im on a long orientation thank the Lord so hopefully I will be more comfortable when time comes for me to be on my own. Any advice is so appreciated!

Very VERY good point. I think some nurses confuse treating with enabling...

I totally understand where you are coming from... I just quit an ER that was majority chronic prescription drug seekers. Some of these people would give fake identity (OK-- that's fraud), fake phone numbers, fake SS#, and some would come straight from the ER across the street. Ti was out of control. They would get LIVID too if the doctor did not give them what they "wanted". Guess who gets to put up with this temper tantrum? The nurses. Treated them with more narcs can be dangerous in some cases. The ER I work at now, some pts get pain contracted which means if they demonstrate behavior of drug seeking example( comes in every 2 days and was given 20 vicodin) there is no way they would finish all that if taken appropriately... Anyway, I was sick of nothing being done about it at my last job. I would go to the Medical Director because this can be dangerous the patient....plus it takes valuable time away from more critical patients....Good luck! :)

Yes I did talk to the temporary manager and she did offer me some hours at the downtown facility which is closer to me, however, it is not the best place to work. Ive heard bad things from former employees. I dont know- I keep going back and forth and time is running out I don't know what to do...

I had a job interview last week at another ED within my hospital's system. To make a long story as short as possible, the reason for my interest in leaving is that our hosp has been flexing us like CRAZY. I was taken off of weekends for a few weeks because I agreed to be flexible during this hard time. Im flexible but Im losing my weekend diff! That adds up! We leave early, we get called in 2-4 hours later after out shift....getting bad. I LOVE where I work and I never saw myself leaving anytime soon. But its a small hospital and I think they are struggling. 2 managers just quit if that tells you anything. Right now I'm not sure whose in charge for sure. Its so sad I dont want to leave but at the same time I need stability. They offer more hours plus they are busier and I may see more. Its been a really hard decision all weekend. They havent offered me the job yet officially but I think they will. The only downside to the new job is that it's 30 miles away...ugggg. So confused and torn.... Ive made so many good friends!

thank you!!!

thank you so much for taking the time out to write! It is nerve racking...

Has anyone ever worked in a hospital that closed their doors without much warning?? There are rumors floating around that our facility is closing. Its a small satellite hospital, about 15-20 years old, BUT we just renovated 2 departments last year! Management has been assuring us that we are NOT closing, but we just closed a med/surg and the labor and delivery floor. They have been empty for a while now. But if they told us we were closing, they would risk loosing nurses right?? Im a relatively new nurse so this is the only job Ive had...guess Im a little scared:uhoh3: Are there any clues I should look out for? Thank you

We closed down labor and delivery last year and the med surg floor is closed. The hospital is a satellite hospital of the mothership which is downtown. Its only about 15-20 years old. Thing is, we JUST re-did the entire ER last year.

No the whole hospital... (I tried to post in general but could not find the "new thread" link sorry)

There are rumors floating around that our hospital is closing.....I am a new nurse and not familiar with this type of thing happening...If they do close, how do they go about telling the employees so they all don't leave? Or do they just close the doors in our face all of the sudden? Managers have told us this is NOT going to happen, but even if it was they aren't going to tell us that b/c they're scared everyone would leave right??

YES! I agree. I dont work for a trauma hospital, but I also think that we should give a report in person with the chart in hand so that we can both look at the patient and the chart together to assure we are both on the same page. Obviously, we would not just bring the pt to the floor without warning, but give a BRIEF background over the phone and then bring them up so they kind of know what to expect...

it did?? I always try to post a thread in the ED forum...if it came up in gen nursing, i wasn't supposed to...ooops:uhoh3:

awesome...where do you work?????

Its amazing how something major has to happen before they make any changes...there should always be a visitor rule and a security guard at the entrance. Especially with all the HIPPA concern, you would think they would guard the patients better?? frustrating...

I havent been a nurse for long ( a year and a half) so I have only worked in ER. I have noticed when I give report to ICU they often times speak "down" to us constantly asking why didnt you do this? Why that? why didnt the dr. do this? Its like they're trying to guilt me all the time... Some of the questions I can answer but often times I just say "the dr. is aware and no further orders were given" I had a RN get ****** last night because we didnt start a central line on a pt who was supposed to get an insulin drip!??? I DON'T PUT IN CENTRAL LINES!!! Does anyone else have similiar issues? Also, I think its funny how the male ICU nurses NEVER give me crap when reporting...its always pleasant, short and simple. :)

HAHA...and I'll call them out on it too!

I wouldnt call you a drug seeker at all. Drug seekers are typically "narcotic seekers" and usually refuse Toradol, motrin, tylenol, or better yet, they are allergic to all NSAIDS. Toradol is a great drug, but it doesn't give that euphoric feeling these people crave.