Question about ER tech position

Specialties Emergency

Published

I am a nursing student that will be beginning my Junior year of nursing school next week through a BSN program. I am interested in working in the ED one day. I have not had much luck in my quest to observe in the ED this summer and cannot volunteer through the hospital at this point. I just saw a local hospital I will have my clinicals at is hiring for ER tech I position. They are hiring for on-call, weekends. I've never been employed in a medical position to-date, and have worked mostly retail in the past. Would applying for this job be somewhat pointless to me at this point or could it be beneficial? I'm thinking about the skills it would allow me to learn as well as being in the hospital setting separate from being a nursing student. I only get to see the ED once during my entire time in nursing school, so I really want to explore it further before I become a Senior and choose where I would like to be placed for the last 6 months of school. Would the stress of a new job such as this be too much to add to my already stressful life? I'd love your thoughts. Thank you!

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I'd say go for it. If you need to work while in school, why not gain such valuable experience? Especially if it's a trauma ER- you will learn so much. I'm a nurse aide in a hospital right now and although the pay is much less than I could make somewhere else I'm learning so much! I won't be intimidated by anything during school- and that's important.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

Go for it! especially if it affords you experience. WOrking at that certain facility now as an ED tech, may help you get a Nursing Job there once you graduate and pass the NCLEX. YOu never know. Hope all goes well! :)

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Specializes in Trauma ICU.

Apply apply!

As a fellow nursing student who took a position in an ED after she passed Fundamentals (I could get my CNA license then) I have learned SO much. The ED isn't for everybody but if you enjoy it then you'll find it really sticks with you. At the time I had my EMT-B license which I think gave me a little bit of an edge but yeah- you'll find the patients you see there really help in school because you can look at a scenario and go "Ive seen that patient before- they look like..." (insert signs, symptoms, questions family members have...et cetera.)

Not to mention most of the NCLEX scenarios my practicum group has been tested on are from patients in the ED. You learn the rapid response for particular situations. I say apply, and when you get in ask as many questions as you can. The good ER nurses know their stuff and many are more than happy to teach you.

Good luck!

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Thanks for your kind words. Since I'm new to this...if it is on call, how much notice would I get? And what if I can't for some reason? I mean, how obligated am I to come in when called? I want to make sure I can dedicate 100% but being a nursing student, you know how time consuming studying can be, papers, group work, etc. But this is exciting to me because of all the valuable experience I will get. I'm torn.

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It would be invaluable experience!

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Apply for sure! You would get some excellent experience and knowledge. You would get to ask questions of the veteran nurses and the ED physicians. You would get the exposure to the focused assessments of a specific patient and head to toe assessments of a trauma patient. Also there would be experience with EKGs, splints, simple dressings, CPR, watching the nurses giving meds, and IV starts and drips. The overall patient contact experience would be invaluable and would build up your confidence even more.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I was hired into an ED as an RN when I finished school because I'd been working there as a tech for nearly 4 years. It'll be good experience, if you're qualified for the position -- I say that because every facility is a little different in what they require for techs. In our ED, I've seen unit secretaries with no patient care experience transition to tech roles, and do very well! Other places require EMT-B certification or some sort of experience. I was a paramedic when I was hired as a tech (still am a paramedic, too).

You'd have to ask the manager how often you'd be called on to work. I'm sure you'd get an orientation period first, which would be great experience for you. Apply and see what happens. Good luck!! :)

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

It would be extremely beneficial. You will get to observe and assist with many patients. You will become comfortable with patients and get to know the ER staff. If they like you that could easily lead to a position there once you get your RN. It was my first job in the medical field and now I'm a Masters of Nursing student. Do it.

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Specializes in Pediatric emergency medicine.

You should without a doubt apply but be aware these are very competitive positions and you will be up against some very well qualified people. Our last on call tech position in the peds ED brought in 200 applications before they took the position down and many more came in after that. Most ER managers will want to see some type of experience preferably some time in a prehospital 911 setting,but I have seen people come into the ED as nursing students with zero experience. Don't be surprised if you don't get in on the first try,it took me three times before I got in and I had years of experience in Fire/EMS. The good news is that most techs move on to bigger and better things so the turn over rate is high.

On call is different at every hospital,where I work they have supplemental,on-call and per diem. Per diem and on call will usually require a commitment to cover a set number of shifts per month. Supplemental offere no guarantee to either party and works well for people like me who have full time jobs or who are still in school. Most ER schedulers are used to students schedules and will work hard to let you know in advance when shifts are open. You will also get sick calls but most of the time you will be covering holes in the schedule and should know well in advance what is available.

I think you might be looking at my ED we get students in from all the nursing programs in Portland. We have had several techs over the years move into RN spots after they finish school its not a given but if you work hard and fit the culture you have a very good chance. Regardless you will pick up alot of valuable experience and will have a good insight onto ER nursing,you might even find that its not for you. You need to be ready to smoke your interview so do your home work and let me know if I can be of any assistance. Good luck!

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Thanks all. Just got an email this morning that I am not an exact match for what they are looking for, even though I fit some of their qualifications. Oh well. Thanks for your encouraging replies.

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