srobb11

As a new grad in the ER getting to the end of orientation, I'll tell you it's hard. Time management is my biggest obstacle at this point, which I know will come with time. Everyone keeps telling me I'm doing a great job, but there are days that I just don't see it. Great job compared to what? lol. Anyway, I love it and wouldn't want to be anywhere else, but there have been a few days that I just want to run out screaming, there are nights (last night actually) where I can't sleep thinking of everything I did and wondering what I could have done differently, hoping I didn't miss anything, pray I don't get called into the director's office for something I did or didn't do. The scariest part is not knowing what you don't know, if that makes any sense. But no matter how bad the day is though, I'm still excited to go to work. I would say it just really depends on the ER, the training and if the team is supportive. You definitely cannot be afraid to ask for help or ask questions. I know that no matter what I need, there's someone willing to take the time to answer a question or help. This is where a supportive team, or lack thereof, will make or break a new grad. ETA: I should probably add that I worked as a tech in the same ER during my last semester of school, so that has helped tremendously with the transition.

Here's my personal experience...my appendix ruptured about 4 years ago and I wasn't taken to the OR initially. I spent 7 days in the hospital with intense antibiotic treatment, a drain was inserted into my abdomen 3 days into my hospital stay to drain the contents, was sent home on antibiotics, then approx 4 weeks after I was discharged I went back and the surgeon went in laparoscopic and took out what was left of the appendix. I was shocked as well when the surgeon laid out his plan. I called my primary doc, she checked with other surgeons and come to find out this wasn't unusual. It is apparently less of a risk to treat the infection and later go in than to go "gung ho" and open an infected abdomen. We had a patient in the ER not too long ago with a rupture, but the surgeon on call refused to touch him and instead transferred him to a larger hospital...still scratching my head on that one.

That was my first thought too. University of South Alabama also has a program for Advanced Emergency Nursing/FNP role.

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Since there is already a team in place in the ER fully capable of handling a code 24/7, it seems extremely counterproductive to have a Code Blue Team respond to the ER. Also, it takes away care from other areas that these members are having to vacate to respond to the code. We do not call code blues in the ER at my facility, unless the nurse/tech/whomever is alone in the room and pushes the button, in which case it will be called overhead, but only ER personnel respond.

Congratulations...great job!

Isn't that the truth. It never ceases to amaze me just how special they can be. We were coding a patient the other day and we had a frequent flyer in a room near the nurses' station. I ran to the station to grab something and lo and behold the frequent flyer is sitting up in the bed with her neck stretched as far as possible to get a bird's eye view of the "show". I glanced over at her and I'm sure my look more than got my point across of "don't even try it...", she sat back in the bed quickly. Funny how back pain and SOB can make a person move so fast. I don't know if I could have bit my tongue if she so much of even made a peep at that moment.

Fayetteville Nurse Practitioner-Piedmont Medical Care Corporation-Immediate Care, Fayetteville GA Job - GA, 30214 Atlanta Acute Care Extender-Piedmont Heart Institute, Atlanta GA Job - GA, 30301 It doesn't indicate experience is necessary. Good luck.

Scrubs, any color, just has to be professional.

Exactly.

I graduated this past December with an ADN and got a job in the unit I was already working in as a tech. I highly recommend students try to get a job while still in school if possible.

Thanks again for all your input and advice. I ended up going with the 3p-3a shift. My preceptor works days so it looks like it will be a while before I will actually work that shift.

Ah, good advice! I guess I'm odd or just too new, but I love the 12 hour shifts and love it when all hell breaks loose.

I couldn't agree more. The best way to land a job as a new grad is to work as a tech/nurse extern/PCT during school, even if it's only during your last semester. That's how I got my job in the ER.

I've only worked days in the ER (as a tech), so I can't really compare, but one of the things I love is that the time seems to fly by, as you mentioned. I actually find myself thinking "wow, it's time to go already?" I also like that it's a little slower when I get there and then it builds up as the day goes on. In our ER, patients tend to flood in at about 1100 until it's time to leave. From what others have told me, things stay busy until about 0100-0200. I would imagine time moves pretty slow from 0200-0700.