ktsummar

I just accepted a job in the pediatric emergency department yesterday. Process wasn't long and I start on July 15th. Don't really know much on the benefits side yet.

Wow, that amazes me. I work in a 47 bed ER as a nurse extern. Ours ratios are dependant on which POD/acuity level of the patients. Fast track are general illness and injury and are 5:1, All other patients are 3:1. We always have a large amount of support staff including techs, externs and EMT IV.

Wrong...if anything it is reversed. White males have a harder time with anyone when it comes to equality in the job market. Before I joined the medical profession I was passed over more than once for positions because they had to meet their "quota of minorities". They scream so loudly for equality that it has gone to far. The state I am in offers "hope scholarships" from lottery money to high school students entering college. Last week on the news, minorities were ******** because standards are too high and they were only getting 11% of the scholarships. I think that number is pretty good considering they are only 8% of the population. Off my soap box.

Had a 13 yo female come in emergency traffic with severe abdominal pain. She was unconsolable and accompanied by her mother. We get her in the room and begin triage. When get ready to put a line in, she stops crying and asks if she is getting an IV. We tell her yes, that we need blood and to start fluids. She states that she is going to be ok, that her sister pinched her on the stomach and she was mad and wanted to teach her sister a lesson.

There really isn't a lot of difference in being a tech and an extern. I have the same responsibilities. As far as hands on RN stuff, really there isn't much that can be done, since you have to be an RN to do them. Now I do get to assist the RN's with some procedures and get to spend time observing what they are doing and learning. I have other classmates that have no experience and have extern positions. My experience as a telemetry monitor did help me land in the ER. Matter of fact, the other night we had a PT who was post CVA and taking them to CT. The nurse, respiratory therapist and I were transporting the PT(on portable monitor). The screen was facing me and the RT and started alarming, VTACH/VFIB. The thereapist started getting excited and said the the patient was in VFIB. I looked down at the monitor and it wasn't true. Told the nurse it wasn't and to keep going.

We have about 25 out of 60.

Just finished my first week in the ED as an extern. I do have some past experience, 1 year as a tech on a med-surg unit and 1 as a telemetry tech/tech in the unit. I am scheduled to work 1 on 1 with an RN for the first 4 weeks, then will come off orientation. After my first 2 shifts, the nurse I shadow called in so when I showed up last night they told me to just do what I could to pitch in. About 5 this morning I sat down with a few of the nurses and asked them what they recomend me work on and I was told nothing. They told me they had just been talking about me and that is seemed like I had been there forever. They liked that i was willing to pitch in and do things without being asked. They liked that I was able to anticipate incoming patients and have rooms set up for them. I was able to anticipate EKG and have them done nearly as soon as their butts hit the bed along with vital signs while nurse was setting IV and pulling labs. I don't want this to sound like bragging, but I was pretty excited about the feed back and wanted to share. It was an absolutely amazing week and I now have a strong passion for wanting to be an ER nurse.

Those positions are hard to come by unless you know someone or have some experience in these departments. For me, I have spent the last 2 years work as a Telemetry Tech, Unit Secretary and CNA on the CCU floor. Next Monday I start my externship in the ED. Experience goes a long way.

I have vagal responses when I have IV's started on myself. Comes on quick and goes away quick with no effects. I feel an aura coming on and then out. I have even told nurses that I was about to go out. I used to do it upon any injection/stick. Now it only happens with IV's that they have to dig on.

Thanks, congratulations to you to. They aren't easy to come by right now.

Alcohol swabs, ink pen, note pad, phone list, bandage scissors.

I interviewed last Thursday for an extern position in the emergency department at one of the busiest emergency rooms in town. Got the call today and they offered the position to me, which I accepted. I am extremely excited and wanted to share.

I got the call today. Start ED externship on June 6th.

In the gym 6 days a week. Would go crazy without it. 5'11" 185lbs. 32 inch waist. During summers I swim laps.

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you can get thru. I am sure every school has different options. My school will let you reenter one time at the beginning of the semester you flunk out of. Not sure about others. Best of luck to you.