jterrn

There are so many variables, here, I don't know where to start! I'd leave the trauma designation out of the mix. I've worked at both designated and non-designated, and trauma found me regardless of designation! I would stick with what ED is going to offer the best orientation package, which one has a culture that best fits for you, which management style do you prefer, what is the staffing like, what is the team atmosphere, etc, etc, etc. I think having an opportunity to shadow is fantastic! You will learn a lot about the unit culture that way. Patients are patients, and most don't really care if they show up at a trauma center. They still expect to receive competent care. Oh, and trauma isn't all the glamour it's cracked up to be. Now that I am a hiring manager, I don't really look at the trauma designation of the hospital where a candidate is coming from. I look at skills, communication, problem solving, and style. Choosing a non-trauma center will not hurt your career, in my opinion. What you choose to do on the job and in continuing education will impact your career much more than trauma.

Way to go! Now, be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself up too much when you don't "get it" right away. This is the biggest challenge I see with the new ED nurse. Give yourself time and room for growth as well as allowing yourself to make a few mistakes along the way....AND, YES, floor nurses do make it in the land of the ER! I've hired many! Best of luck.

As a manager of an ED, I can give you a few pointers. 1. Know about the ED you are interested in. Know the types of patients they see, their nurse to patient ratios, the culture, the good, the bad, and the ugly. 2. Understand the manager's style. 3. I can teach you how to be an ED nurse. I cannot teach you how to WANT to be an ED nurse. It is more than wanting a fast paced environment. You need to WANT to be in difficult situations, enjoy problem solving, have a lot of initiative, be able to think critically, and LOVE mystery and puzzle solving. 4. Be ready to talk about your strengths AND weaknesses. 5. Be humble. Explain what you don't know, and be ready to express a desire for learning. 6. DO NOT talk about how much easier a job in the ED will be. It's just not true. ED nurses are some of the strongest, highly worked nurses around. We do everything for everyone, and it isn't an easy job. I actually have had people tell me that they were applying to the ED because it had to be easier, really, what could you possibly have to do? Needless to say, they did not get jobs with me. 7. You need a sense of humor, and it helps if it is a bit sick! Sometimes humor is the only thing that gets you through a tough shift, that and your teammates. 8. You must VALUE teamwork. I mean true teamwork, where you have everyone's back, and everyone has yours. It takes the entire team to get through a rough shift. 9. Look for a program that gives you a long orientation. We run a transition program that is 12 weeks long to help ensure success for those RNs with experience who are ready for a change. It has been very successful. 10. HAVE FUN! ED is a great place to be. Give yourself a good 2 years to feel comfortable, spend time learning, and enjoy it.