Question about experience

I'm a new nurse as well with about 11 months in L&D. From my understanding ER falls under critical care. I could be wrong, but experience wise, I thought that it did.

ER isn't critical care because you don't titrate drips, etc. Yes...the patients are critical...but if you were going to go after a CRNA for example, ER experience doesn't qualify.

ER isn't critical care because you don't titrate drips, etc. Yes...the patients are critical...but if you were going to go after a CRNA for example, ER experience doesn't qualify.

Yea, I guess I kind of get that. Although, I do titrate drips on a regular basis, for example when we're waiting on the admitting doc to see them and get them admitted or waiting on transport to another facility.

ER isn't critical care because you don't titrate drips, etc.

Actually, we do titrate drips in the ER. Pressors, cardizem, insulin, propofol, ativan, fentanyl, etc.

Yes...I know...I work ER...it still isn't considered critical care. How do I know? CRNA and NP school won't accept the ER for critical care experience.

A lot of the confusion is due to the wide variation among "Emergency Department" settings. (American Trauma Society: Trauma Resources » Trauma Categorization Explained). There is a very big difference between a "knife & gun club" Level I and a Level V in a community or rural area. If you are referring to this experience on a resume, I would advise you to include the trauma rating of that particular facility.

You don't titrate drips in your ER?! I have days where all I do is titrate drips!

My advice is that if you need critical care to apply and you have ER, you probably qualify unless it's specifically for ICU (and even then, ER still looks good to most places). ER is pretty versatile so you'd have a good shot at another job. If you want a job, apply regardless of what it says. You may not get a call back, but you might! No harm in trying!