question to ER folks

[tarotale]

As I am trying to still find out how to get into specialty, I got a question that needs to be asked. I met and talked to OR manager at my hospital about how to get into specialties, and she said basically I need to look into residencies.

Is it the same way with ER? I see some ER job postings and they require "1yr experience" but doesn't necessarily specify if they have to be ER or not (some do, but not all). So for a MS nurse to get into ER, does it always happen through an internship/residency (like for GNs) or can you be hired into ER so they will just train you there?

I always loved loved loved code blue situations because of the excitement and adrenaline and how much we can do to save a person at that moment, and I know I will fit in much better in ER than MS.

THANKS!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Moved to AN's Emergency Nursing forum.

[RPKCareRN]

I started by looking are the job requirments and began takig the education. Before I landed an ER job I had ACLS, PALs and TNCC. I would like to think that and my winning personality helped. :) I would also just keep applying and remember flexibility is key. Rarely does anyone walkin to a ER and get a day schedule.

[tarotale]

well i don't mind a night schedule. MS is too slow and boring for me. I thrive in codes and quagmire of tasks. i already have my ACLS, so that helps.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

I think a lot of it depends on the facility, their policies, and the director of the unit. For example, at my hospital cross training is allowed but there are restrictions. There have been certain individuals who have gotten permission to cross train even though they have not met that criteria, usually because there are openings at the target department and that individual is well liked by the director and or many members of the staff.

We have also been known to hire people from other hospitals who do not have ER experience but we feel have the other intangibles and train them up. I'm sure many from the larger hospitals will attest that this does not go on in their hospitals, and I would expect it cannot in larger organizations, but there are many community hospitals where you might be able to get your feet wet and then use that experience to get into the larger hosptials.

[junejames]

Hi! I got hired in the ER straight from school. I have a 12 week orientation since I'm a new nurse. I'm into my 2nd month and loving it! Stay persistent is my advice!

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I transferred from PCU to ER within my hospital. I floated a lot to the ER so I established a rapport with the staff, charge nurses and nurse manager which helped when I made the switch.

OP, keep in mind that the ER isn't all blood, guts, trauma and code situations. Yes, we get people who are really sick but we also get a lot of people who come for non-emergent complaints. Not that I mind, because without these patients we wouldn't have jobs...I just want your thoughts on the ER to be realistic. It's usually always busy, though, and I always start the shift hitting the floor and running. I love the idea of not knowing what will be coming to you next, whether it's someone from the waiting room or an EMS coming in through the ambulance bay.

[tarotale]

I transferred from PCU to ER within my hospital. I floated a lot to the ER so I established a rapport with the staff, charge nurses and nurse manager which helped when I made the switch.

OP, keep in mind that the ER isn't all blood, guts, trauma and code situations. Yes, we get people who are really sick but we also get a lot of people who come for non-emergent complaints. Not that I mind, because without these patients we wouldn't have jobs...I just want your thoughts on the ER to be realistic. It's usually always busy, though, and I always start the shift hitting the floor and running. I love the idea of not knowing what will be coming to you next, whether it's someone from the waiting room or an EMS coming in through the ambulance bay.

ya, I do realize that lot of people come for very dumb reasons, for which they could easily go to urgent care and not waste ER nurses' and docs' times at the actual ER (for some, they come for things they can just stay home, I'm sure you know). Whatever the case, anything is better than MS, especially the very slow, non-acute ones since I want to work in critical areas.

so you are saying you internally transferred straight to ER without going through residency program, but they just trained you on the job right? didn't know PCU nurses floated to ER either.

[cheri1859]

Hey - JuneJames…I too have been hired to the ED from school straight away. I start on May 12th and have a 12 week orientation. I am scared out of my mind!!! I worked as a paramedic for 8 years but I feel so underprepared! (I do feel hopeful that I can at least tell a sick person from a not so sick person….any bit helps!!) I am so glad to hear that you love it!!! Any other encouraging words are welcomed because for the most part I've heard nothing but "most nights you'll be driving home in tears and most mornings you'll be driving to work in tears"…hmmm.

[OBERrural]

Depending on the size of your facility, could you volunteer to help in ER on their busy days? I work in a small, rural OB and when we don't have patients I ask to float to ER and have started to be oriented to ER. It's a good way to get your foot in the door and worth a try. Try talking to the ER manager. Good luck!

[tarotale]

my workplace is about 350 beds in heart of metroplex, and ER seems pretty to themselves as most ERs are like. I don't think seeing if they need a help with task is what they would agree to have from me either ways.

[OBERrural]

I understand, when I worked in a big city hosptial, all of the departments kept to themselves too. I just started working rural this last year and it is a whole new world.