hella_RN

I guess I should be happy but I can't help but feel like looking younger than your age can be a disadvantage sometime. I've been a nurse for quite some time now and most people still ask me when I'm graduating. Patients and family members look at me ...

I went from a prestigious level 1 trauma center to a small ED, I had to relocate to a whole new city. My new job is not a trauma center so I deal with a lot of abdominal pains, headaches, chest pains, everything medical, lots of psych issues as well....

It's also a sad day when the BSN that I worked so hard for is not valued because the patients that I care for have no confidence in me when they first meet me. But yes, I agree I should not let any comments from patients/staff affect me. Thank you.

Thank you. I will definitely try that. I think I slouch a lot too I've noticed so maybe I can try standing straight, might make me look a little taller :)

I actually don't use social media (fb, Instagram etc.) I rarely even use all nurses. And no I'm not fishing for compliments, just wanted to vent after a very busy and tough shift and the doctor screamed and humiliated me in front of the nurses statio...

I thought my life was complete when I started a new job at a new ED which I thought was my dream hospital to work. Everyone is so nice but there is no teamwork! At my previous job, we had amazing teamwork. Every time we get new patients, we always ...

How do you feel about it? I just started at a new ED. I feel like I am not practicing ED nursing anymore since the patient is admitted. I feel like a Med Surg/Tele/ICU nurse. It can be a bit overwhelming since I am not used to drawing "routine labs" ...

At OP, I will have to look at my hospital's policy for this and hopefully can have an answer for you

I have never given IM Ketamine but I have given it IV. Adverse effects include hypotension and respiratory depression so I personally would ask the provider if he/she would like it to be IV so that we have IV access just in case the patient become hy...

Fast Facts for the ER nurse by Jennifer Buettner. I got it from Amazon and it was fairly inexpensive. The book is designed for new grads. Very easy to read, short and to the point. I found this book very helpful when I started in the ED. I recommend ...

I consider myself a compassionate nurse, I really do enjoy taking care or patients. I'm just having a hard time managing my time with the routine things on top on dealing with things that need to be done stat. And the charting system we have is a pai...

I started in the ED as a new grad and I absolutely loved it. Everyone I worked with was so nice and helpful and they trained me the "ER way." I was the same as you, I was actually anxious of starting in the ED right away because I wanted to do Med-S...

Widespread bloodstream infection, sepsis, is an emergency. I have seen patients crash because they've become so hypotensive. They usually get a central line placed so that we can infuse dopamine or levophed to help their BP.

Hello AN! I have recently accepted a position at a very busy Level I Trauma Center. I was so happy to have landed this job. I have a couple of years experience in ER nursing, this is where I started as a new grad, but it was not a trauma center but...

Thank you for the replies! I worked today and I must say it was a much better day. I saw teamwork although it could be better. But I figured maybe I can be the "catalyst" to improve the teamwork :)

I was 19 when I started nursing school. I was 22 when I received my BSN and got my RN license.

How about people who their chief complaint as "sick." I think to myself, "no?..really?"

- focus, remember that you are here to learn so that you may use the knowledge and skills to save lives someday - study groups are very helpful! - make sure your professor knows you by going to their office hours, don't be afraid to ask for help - st...

Hello all, Last night was a terrible night and we had a really bad trauma involving MVC with ejection. GCS of He was intubated immediately upon arrival so now my question is how do I rate his GCS/RTS when he is intubated? Would his GCS be a 3? I'm ...

In the ED, we do a lot of anticipation with the care we provide. For example: in my ED, abdominal pain is always going to need UA dipstick and micro, saline lock, CBC, CMP, amylase/lipase profile, and NPO status. So I ask for a urine sample from my ...

You're not alone! The youngest pedi pt I had that I put an IV in was probably 10 months old. I try to avoid sticking them because I really don't look forward to the crying and the anxious parents who always say "we want someone who can do it the firs...

Blood type. Rationale - to give type specific blood if the patient needs transfusion since he is bleeding. Blood alcohol level doesn't really help much, tdap can wait, date and time of last voiding might be inaccurate since the patient might be too i...

That workload just does not seem safe. If I'm being honest and if it were me, I'd run for the hills! I'm sorry but that's just how I feel. I usually get 3-4 patients max! And if I have a one to one patient, my team is usually good with picking up...

Thank you all for the great input and tips! I have been recognized by family members for service excellence so I am definitely going to mention that. And I agree, I will only move back if I have a secure job offer in hand. Thanks again!

Hi all! I did it, I am no longer a new grad and I survived my first year in the ED. It has been a tough year but I have learned so much! I moved out of state to have this experience and I am in the process of scoping out the jobs available out there ...