JMD14

I would've sent the patient. The ER nurse does not admit patients so it's not up to us whether the patient goes to a specific floor or not. Of course the labs are going to be off, the patient had acute kidney injury so that's expected. One thing RN's that don't work in the ER do not understand is while they may have 5 medical patients, ER nurses (especially the ER I work in) usually have 4-5 patient's with at least 2-3 of those patients being a level 1 trauma patient waiting for an ICU bed or to be life flighted to another facility. You may not always get "easy" patients who only require vs q4hr. You may get overwhelmed at times which is normal, but in the end you are an RN so you are expected to know how to care for sick patients. Just saying..

There's so many things I would like to say but i'll keep it as sweet and simple as possible. I believe that should be the policy at every hospital. Floor nurses think we (ER nurses) give the worst report possible because we don't tell them everything they need for their full assessment. They think we are busy playing around with nothing to do in the ER. Well let me tell you something, that's not true. Wanna talk about frustrating and unsafe? Try managing 5 ICU patients in the ER all on your own with no one around to help because each nurse is drowning in new orders and trying to keep their patients alive. Calling report to floor nurses is a courtesy, we really don't have time to sit around and call 5 times just to try and get a hold of someone so we can give report. There's so much more I would like to add to this but I don't wanna come off as a mean person. If you don't believe anything i'm saying or agree with me then why don't you float to the ER sometime and see for yourself. GOD-BLESS!

Had a patient come brought in by ems because he "played video games for so long that his eyes started burning and he lost his vision." When I brought the discharge paperwork to him he asked if it was contagious.

People are going to talk hospitals down when their sick regardless of how "Great" the hospital and staff are. When someone is sick they expect to be treated and cured right away and when they realize immediate cure is not possible in most cases, they automatically put that hospital on their s*** list. With that being said, as long as you be the best nurse you can be it doesn't matter if you work at the "worst" hospital in America. Too many people talk hospitals down because of stuff they've heard others say. As an ER RN working at Bayshore, I can say that I am happier than most nurses. Why is this? Isn't Bayshore supposed to be horrible? Actually it's because I am there for my patients day in and day out, I strive to be the best nurse I can be. THAT'S what matters. Not the reputation! Hope yall get something out of this, GOD BLESS TO YOU ALL!

There is a number of questions I wished I would've asked as soon as I left my interview. Here's a list of what you might want to ask: 1. What is the Nurse to patient ratio? Is it a set ratio or does it change? 2. What computer system does the ER use (epic, meditech, etc.) or is it paper charting? 3. How long is orientation and how long will you be with a preceptor. 4. What type of scheduling system do they have (is it a matrix where you work specific days each week or is it random) 5. During orientation will you get paid the rate at which they hired you or do they pay you a stipend during orientation (stipend is a set pay rate some hospitals pay orientees for the first 3 months or until orientation is over) 6. Do they help pay for school (if you are planning on getting your BSN or Masters) 7. Do they accept overtime. I'll think of more as they come to me. Hope this sort of helps for now.

Thanks for the posts guys. I have now worked 8 days in the ER and absolutely love it. RN2014g, I started with an extremely nervous mindset and felt like I wouldn't be able to do what it takes. However, after a few days I began catching on and loving it. Don't ever underestimate yourself, as long as you are willing to learn and step up to the plate then you'll do good! It takes time to build confidence, but everyone has to start somewhere. Just think about the experienced nurses who have been working as a nurse for years; every single one of them were once a new grad nurse who felt exactly how we do. No one expects a new nurse to start their first job knowing everything. The best advice I can get is to ask questions for anything and everything you don't know. I got lucky enough to be paired with an awesome preceptor but even he gets annoyed with all the questions I ask. It's just something you have to do, they are getting paid extra to prepare you to be a competent nurse so ask all the questions you need to regardless of your preceptor's attitude. It's your license, not theirs.

All of you are so helpful! I really appreciate the time yall have taken to help me out! Last sunday was my first day on the floor. Before starting the shift I felt extremely nervous and started doubting myself. However, not even ten minutes after I clocked in, I felt wayyy better and more confident. My preceptor is awesome and very helpful. That was definitely a relief! I couldn't have had a better day, I got to practice a lot of skills and if there was anything I wasn't sure of, my preceptor would explain each step to me and demonstrate it as well. I even got to respond to a code blue. Overall I'd say I had a great day and with the help each one of you have given me I will feel a lot more confident from now on. Thanks guys!

Wow thank you so much danggirl16. You have really good advice and I will definitely keep everything you said in mind. I start tomorrow and i'm excited but of course i'm still nervous:eek:. I've never worked in the ER, but i've had clinical rotation for 3 days in the ER (which isn't much but was enough time to know that the ER is where my heart is). I haven't met my preceptor yet but i'm hoping whoever it is, they will be nice and willing to help improve my skills and teach me whatever i'm not so competent in. After tomorrow i'll let you know how it goes! Thanks again! You're words of advice couldn't be any better. :)

Hey guys, I just got on as an RN intern in the ER and start this week. I'm pretty nervous and sort of overwhelmed with everything I need to learn in order to be a competent RN. On the other hand, I'm very excited and couldn't be happier having been hired as an ER nurse. I start with my preceptor in four days and wanted to know if anyone has started in the ER for your first job as an RN and if so, what it was like and what advice might you have? Hope to hear from you! Thanks..

Sorry for the late reply! I made a 944 on the Hesi and actually just took the NCLEX-RN on June 20th and passed! I started an RN internship in the ER and I love it but i'm very nervous because there is soooo much to learn in such little time. Hope you guys are doing good! God Bless!

I take the exit Hesi on April 10th, 2014. My program requires a 900 or higher and we only get 2 attempts. I have averaged an 850 on each Hesi I have taken throughout the program. However, I'm very nervous about this exit Hesi and would like to know if anyone has any suggestions on how to study. I purchased the resources from yourbestgrade.com and have been using it which is helpful, but I'm not sure exactly how I should go about using the resources to study. If anyone could help, I would highly appreciate it! Thanks for taking the time to read this. Best of luck to all!