kward6

Can I ask how you studied? Did you focus just on what her study guide entailed? I am currently studying for my CEN and just recently bought her study guide but I feel like I keep getting to deep into the topics. Please help!

Hey everyone! I am also planning on attending Oct COT. I am excited but a bit nervous! Where is everyone coming from?

I currently work in a level 2 trauma ED. Our department offers a residency program that allows for new grads to work in the ER straight from graduation. In regards to our ADN, I feel a lot of hospitals will hire ADN but require BSN within 3 years. I would look to see if your hospital has a residency program and if not apply anyway, whats the worst they will say no. If thats the case go to a med/surg floor and continue to apply to ED/ICU.

it's basically an assistant to triage. Pts presents to the er the triage nurse rates it emergency (ESI). At this time the pt gets assessed by the intake nurse who is up front with the triage nurse. Intake nurse does vitals and background information then presents it to the appropriate pod. It the pt is fast track or ACE they go straight that area.

I feel that nights allow for more time to learn different skills. LOTS OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

Dont quite unless YOU truly do not feel like this is the position for you. Yes nursing is hard and at times people may tell you that you are not cut out to be a nurse. Dont let this statement get too you instead use it to your advantage and study, keep a book bag with all your supplies and kick butt. Nursing is a calling and if you enjoy it and are passionate about it, keep up with it.

Renzlao does your ER have an intake nurse that completes history before coming to you?

Pt can tend to keep the nurses busy, such as you ask if they need anything else and they say no. However, after 5 or so minutes they will ask you for PRN meds, ect. There is also a LOT of charting on BHS, I have never worked on a unit that charts so much and the most frustrating is that its all repetition. The inpt unit I work on contains very stable pt. A typical days starts off with giving AM meds/bhs assessment, team meeting,charting, noon meds, charting, evening meds and in the mix discharges and admits.

Thank you both this is a lot of help. I am pleased to hear that my feelings are normal. I will continue to study and ask for help.

I am sure this has been asked a lot but I am more venting then asking questions (although your input would be great). I have recently moved to the ER from BHS. As most know BHS is very limited on clinical nursing (IV, cardiac rhythms, breath sounds, ect). At this point I feel that they are expecting more from me than what I am providing. I struggle with reading rhythms and I am refreshing my memory on breath sounds. Is this normal for me to feel this way? Also, how can I better myself so that I am a better nurse? My plan at this point is to take notes on what I am lacking and and reviewing the info in the book. Thanks for listening and any comments your provide.

OK so this question is for guard individuals. I recently took a job at my local hospital in the ER. this is my dream job and I am very excited to start working in the department. In addition I am highly interested in joining the air guard and have been working on getting in. I am in the process of completing meps I just needed to submit some medical Records. I feel bad starting a new job and then leaving them in the near future to attend COT and other schools and having the first weekend of the month off. to add to this I feel working in the ER will also be more beneficial for my position in the guard. Has anyone else been in this pposition? What are your thoughts?

Thanks everyone I just need to show proof of pathology report from getting moles removed in 2004 other than that it went well.

Thank you MVisser this is helpful. I think I will take immunization and my last pap smear in my bag (Im aware they lock your bag up) and if by chance they ask for them I will have them.

I know it's just frustrating!

Really? I asked a female recruiter and was told I only need my pap if it's abnormal and they have not requested immunizations. Would it be best to take these with me and have them just incase?

Thanks Esme12. I applied to the ER and CDU unit and am waiting to hear back. We live in a fairly small community so we dont reviece a whole lot of major traumas so hopefully it will play in my favor.

Thank you all!

Ok guys I have a questions in the proper way to advance my career to end up in my desired specialty. I currently work full time outpt MH and PRN inpt MH. This was the first job I took as an RN to get my foot in the door in our local hospital. I am very interested in getting a job as an ER nurse but do not know the proper way to go about doing this. I dont want to transfer to med/surg. . ect to only stay for a year and then leave to go to the ER. Has anyone been in this position before or have any recommendations on what is the best way to advance to ER?

It is but do they need proof? Like I said my recuitor did not take my med records.

So I am supposed to be scheduled for MEPS soonish. I have signed up for 2 different dates, both of which have been canceled. I have a questions though, I am a 25 year old female. I was told a few months ago from my original recruiter that I needed to have all my medical records. However, during the last couple months my recruiter has changed and they have not asked about my medical records and I have not given them to them. I have also been told a lot of inaccurate information from my new recruiter as well. My question is this: Do I need to take my last gynecological exam with me to MEPS? I also was told I needed to have proof that they could not find my medical records when I was hospitalized when I was a baby. I have that do I need to take that with me? Help I feel that my recruiter is setting me up to fail.

The VA could be a good bet. Once you are employed you do not have to change your license when you relocate. Keep in note if you do travel nursing you must have 1-2 years' experience in the field you want to work in (I was told that it is hard to change specialties). I don't see why it would be two difficult to get a job thought, you are usually located in a position for at least 3 years and changing your license only takes a couple weeks.

Congrats everyone. I too hope to be attending cot in the near future

JSBARTL the best bet is to talk to the recruiter and ask to talk to the Chief Nurse. This individual will be able to assist you with any questions you have and you do not need to worry about getting false information. You do have to have your BSN though. I was looking to apply in July but I was put on hold until I finished my BSN in Dec. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I think the thing to take from these post is that every guard base is different.

This is not always true They only take experience critical care nurses though.” I am in the process of getting signed up in the ANG for Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and I am not required to have critical care experience. During my interview they report that they range in specialties from MH, PED, ER, ICU and MED/SURG.

Does anyone know which COT classes are full for Fiscal year 2015?