DeenieRN

Just remember you aren't supposed to know everything! The day you stop learning, is the day you should try doing something else. I get those pts that totally throw me off, and I love it, I keep learning, they are my challenge. That's what I love about the ER and the main reason I switch from CVSD to ED. I didn't want cookie-cutter diagnosis, I wanted to see more. Don't let anxiety get the better of you, turn that energy into enthusiasm, and learn. It'll make you are better nurse if you use this approach and you won't feel frazzled when faced with a new situation.

Level II facility - We have a pyxis in each trauma bay, it doesn't have everything, but its cuts a few trips out. Doesn't have the life saving Tetorifice shots because there's no fridge, heaven forbid!

thanks for the advice YoutubeTheNP

I have recently gotten into the yoga scrubs. I have been buying Healing Hands Yoga scrubs and they're fantastic. So soft, so stretchy and wash well. I wear navy so color fade is important to me, and this material eliminates that problem completely. Love them!

I've discovered that nursing is really just a journey, and you pick which road to take, there is no right way, just the way you choose. For your plan to get into flight nursing you will need ER and trauma experience. I thought I wanted to do flight nursing, but after doing a tour of the chopper and speaking with the staff that deliver the traumas to us, I found out that it's not for me. I love the ER and trauma, but I'll skip the flight side of things. I work with a lot of nurses that do flight nursing to the caribbean, I love their stories, it's exciting but also confirmed to me, that it isn't that path I want. Now back to you, if you feel uncomfortable transitioning straight to a trauma facility, why don't you get into the small ER at your current place of work, and do OT on your floor. Anyone going to the ER will feel overwhelmed at first, the process is different. Get into the smaller ER, get in your groove, then make the move to the trauma facility. Whatever you decide, there is no right or wrong answer, do what makes you happy and you'll end up where you want to be. Best of luck!

hahahhaa.... totally, Grey's Anatomy it is not...

Nurse326, I really feel for your situation. I could not have possibly coped with starting as a nurse grad in the ER. I totally respect that you took the leap and did that. Having been in the ER now, I have seen a handful of new grads start and go through exactly what you're talking about. Of those who have not made it, quit or been fired, I have noticed that they're the ones who seem cavalier, don't ask questions, over-delegate and don't have a solid go-to person. Find one of the nicer nurses, confide in them and make them your go-to person. That kind of support will get you through this stage. Bottom line is, if you get through this, you'll be a better nurse, your confidence will be solid and you'll be able to work anywhere, sadly this kind of attitude is prevalent and it shouldn't be. Best of luck to you! :)

bookmarking this thread because I'm interested. I'm an RN in the ER, in my 5 year plan I think I'm gonna start working on my NP, but I don't really get the difference between ERNP and FNP, I've only seen FNPs in the ER. If I got ERNP would it limit me? Seems like FNP are really everywhere, being so generalized does it help or hurt?

absolutely not! congrats on making the leap! you'll always have a job, its not an easy one, but it can be very gratifying. All the best! :)

I was thinking about doing this same thing. My manager at my current full time job is quite the handful, I would leave but I'm in a contract and don't want to pay 5k to get out of it right now, but I also want to get a local travel contract under my belt before taking the plunge and heading to cali for an assignment. I was planning on going part time and doing a contract 51 miles away, enough that I can commute and still function at my current job. Reading your post though makes me think that scheduling might make this a bit more difficult than expected.

Hey Argo, I want to take my first travel assignment early next year and was thinking about San Fran as my first location. I'm currently in South Florida working the ER. What's your thoughts on the hospitals there, or it as a potential location for a first timer?

Congrats first of all! Nursing school was tough, but now the real work begins, keep a hold of that enthusiasm! I agree with PixieRN, Sheehy's book is invaluable. Also know who your resources are, the seasoned nurses around you are your resources, no-one expects you to know everything or anything for that matter, so always always always ask! Everyone is going to look too busy, but when you approach a seasoned nurse and say, hey can you help me because I've never done this before, they will make time for you and you will learn. Not only that, as you grow everyone working with you will feel more comfortable because they know you know your stuff because they were there with you. Never feel like you cannot ask for help.

When I was a new grad, I rcvd a pt from the dayshift nurse and she informed me that the man was really grumpy and hadn't been very nice to her. I was prepared to meet this dude and assumed my shift wasn't gonna go smoothly, and would be immediately looking on the MAR for a sleeping pill lol. Anyway I went in to assess the pt and got into conversation with him, he was pleasant with me and told me he didn't want the dayshift nurse again tomorrow. On this occasion, I was intrigued and asked why? He told me when she wrote her name on the board in the morning, on the "goals" area she wrote "don't be SOB", he's like, why would she tell me not to be a son of a b***h, that's so rude. I burst out laughing and explained that she meant "don't be short of breath", I erased the board and wrote "be happy" with a big smiley face. We both had a good chuckle about it.

I couldn't agree more with TheCommuter! That is my exact outlook! I am loyal to my happiness only! I took a job on a post-CABG unit because I felt that it was a step up in my career, I was promised advanced education opportunities, support, advancement, etc. After 4 months, I realized this was all a lie. There was a severe lack of teamwork, no support from management, no option for education, and I found the post-CABG process to be monotonous. After four months and a very bad shift, I went home and applied for a huge list of jobs in my area at other hospitals. I went for an interview for a ED job with no experience in that area. The question was raised, why am I applying after only 4mo in my current job. Although you should never say anything negative in an interview, I thought I had nothing to lose, so I was honest. I told the manager, after 4 months, I don't see room to grow in my current job, and what I was promised isn't attainable there. She appreciated my honesty and offered me the job on the spot, with a sign-on bonus, as well as the higher pay and better benefits. It was a no-brainer. I didn't feel bad at all handing in my letter of resignation in person to my manager. It was such a shake up to the manager, the director got involved and offered me a lot of tempting offers to stay, but it wasn't enough, I was moving on and they would have to deal with how that looks on them, not on me. I'm not nursing for kicks and giggles, this is me making a living, advancing my knowledge and career. If I can't grow, it it's complicating my life, if I'm feeling miserable going to work - I'm outta there, I don't care about how it looks.

So I was watching this TV show about tiny houses (basically houses on trailers) and there was an episode about this travel nurse who was essentially heading around the country taking assignments with her tiny house. The concept sounds great, what do you guys think? Those of you who have travelled, have you ever heard of this? Think its functional? Worked with anyone who has done this?