Funnyrunner

Chart, chart,and chart some more! You can never chart too much or too often on ER patients. It will help save your butt down the line when the unexpected happens or a lawsuit pops up in the future. I teach new RNs to chart on every patient at least hourly and much more frequently on the critical patients. Also, visit your patients frequently. It's sometimes hard to do so but it makes for a much better patient attitude if they know you remember they are there.

Congrats!!! I've been in the ER since 1983 and it's amazing the changes that have taken place since then. You will love it even if it is a bit scary the first time you are out on your own. Just remember you are never really alone; there are always others ready to help out or answer questions. Everyone was new once so don't be afraid to ask for help or ask questions. Have fun learning and best of luck!

Nursing math is only difficult if you let it be. I precept new RNs in the EEr and they are amazed once I show them the easy way to do it and have them forget the confusing garbage they were taught in school. It's amazing how many new and old nurses do not know how to do simple nursing math. A lot of the problem also is the new IV pumps they have that do the calculations for you. That's all well and good but when you assume care of a patient on a pump it's nice to be able to figure out yourself if the pump is set correctly.