"Today in my ER"....super bummed out

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Please tell me what you would have seen or done in your ER today, I don't care if you think it's boring, or the same old thing. Heck, I'll even take your ER vents, if you hate it and can't wait to get out.... I just need a little motivation to keep me going while I do my make-up packet.

I was supposed to have my ED observation rotation today, for my Med/Surg clinical. My instructor is sick and canceled today's clinical. I have been waiting YEARS to get back into an ER. A 12 hour rotation experience as an EMT student in the ER is a major part of my going into nursing. I have very little hope that this instructor will allow me into the ER next week; if you miss it you miss it, others are scheduled for next week, it's a privilege, not a gaurantee, etc. And next week is our last clinical. I have been so excited about this rotation since before the semester began, and all semester when I got my calendar, counting the weeks. I don't think I see the ER again in the final two semesters. And, no, my getting a job as a tech or CNA in the ER is not realistic for my family right now. I wish.

I was hoping to see whether or not this area is really what I want, or if I've romanticized my experience into something better than what it was. I love nursing, I just want to know if the area that motivated me is what I thought it would be.

Thank you, Sarah

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Sorry, that is a bummer. Could you talk to the nurse manager and ask if you can shadow a nurse on your own time? Some facilities will allow this. I am already an RN but I am going to be shadowing a friend who works in the ER to see if this is a direction I would like to pursue. You wouldn't be able to do any skills or really anything other than watch, but you can still get an idea of the flow of things. Couldn't hurt to ask, the worst they can say is no! Good luck!

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Thanks for the suggestion. I read the new ER grad sticky above, and saw some ideas that might help me. Can I ask where you are coming from and why you want to leave? Good luck to you too!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I am a school nurse, and I love it, but I am looking to keep my skills sharp and maybe get a change of scenery for a year. School nursing is wonderful, I love the kids and the schedule is bliss, but the teachers and parents can try your patience! I also just moved and have a 50 minute drive each way to my district, so a job either closer to home or where I only have to drive 3 days per week versus 5 would be nice.

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

I'm sorry you missed out on your ER rotations. I got to spend several days in the ER as an LVN student and loved it despite not being able to do much but I feel your pain as the boys kept on stealing my turn when it came up again. The flip side was every time they took my day in ER it was slow and they were stocking shelves while I had an interesting assignment upstairs. Ask if you can just shadow if you are only going to be observing

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Specializes in ICU/ER/Flight.

Hey Sarah, is your instructor approachable enough to say what you did in your post? Hopefully they would find a way or make arrangements for you to get your rotation in. If not, like the others have said...shadow on your own time.

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First try talking with your instructor so he or she knows you have an interest in it. Not sure if this is an option but at my school we could choose a particular area to precept to for 80 hours. I chose the ER because I love action and as my preceptor said, "you must be an adrenaline junkie". I loved it and wish I could work as an ER nurse!

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Specializes in OR.

check out www.ertards.com. Gives a funny view of working in the ER. :jester:

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