EDdude

This site helped me a lot. acls-algorithms It has practice strips, practice questions, simulated mega codes etc. I studied that more than the book and passed with no problem.

Here are a couple of great resources for EKG's and ACLS. ECG Simulator | SkillStat Learning - Fast, Fun and Effective! acls-algorithms

I just cut and pasted this from a previous thread so I didn't have to re-write the whole thing. I'm a new grad RN about 10 weeks into my orientation in a very busy Level 1 Trauma Center. I would recommend reviewing your head to toe assessment and going over steps for skills (IV starts, NG tube placement etc). I would also recommend listening to EM Basic podcast, you can find it on iTunes or google it and I think you can listen to it on his page. It's made for Med students/Residents but there is so much great info on commonly seen issues in the ED and you'll get great tips for your assessment and it'll give you an idea of what tests/labs to expect. I've learned a ton of great info from this podcast. Also Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice is a great book. Starting in the ED as a new grad can be the coolest, scariest, most awesome and overwhelming thing ever. I've seen and done and learned so much since I've started and know I still haven't scratched the surface. The one thing that every single nurse I work with has told me is don't be afraid to ask questions, they all say they're afraid of the newbie that thinks they know it all and doesn't ask for help. Good luck and enjoy the ride.

Congrats on the job!! I'm a new grad RN about 10 weeks into my orientation in a very busy Level 1 Trauma Center. I would recommend reviewing your head to toe assessment and going over steps for skills (IV starts, NG tube placement etc). I would also recommend listening to EM Basic podcast, you can find it on iTunes or google it and I think you can listen to it on his page. It's made for Med students/Residents but there is so much great info on commonly seen issues in the ED and you'll get great tips for your assessment and it'll give you an idea of what tests/labs to expect. I've learned a ton of great info from this podcast. Starting in the ED as a new grad can be the coolest, scariest, most awesome and overwhelming thing ever. I've seen and done and learned so much since I've started and know I still haven't scratched the surface. The one thing that every single nurse I work with has told me is don't be afraid to ask questions, they all say they're afraid of the newbie that thinks they know it all and doesn't ask for help. Good luck and enjoy the ride.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I love the idea of just relaxing, although I'm sure I'll be spending some time reviewing most of the things listed above and probably more. One of the nice things is during the initial 4 weeks Nurse Residency we do 2 half day skills labs that review IV starts, Foley's, NG's etc. I'm really looking forward to getting started. Thanks again.

Hi everyone, I'm a long time lurker and first time poster. I'm also a new grad (May '12) who was recently hired in a Level 1 Trauma ED. My hospital does a new Nurse residency program but the next one doesn't start until the middle of Oct, leaving me with 5 weeks before I start. I'm looking for some suggestions on what I can do to better prepare myself to succeed during this down time. Some ideas I've been tossing around are; purchasing the ENA Emergency Nurse Orientation Course, reading the ACLS book and/or reading an EKG book, purchasing one of the Sheehy's Emergency Care books or just focusing on meds. I'm really looking to make the best use of the time I have before I start so any and all suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.