Hi everyone! I just interviewed at an ER in NYC on friday and they unofficially offered me the job! My goal has always been to become an ER nurse and I really want to do it as a new grad. The hospital orientation is 6 months long with a preceptor and 2 weeks of strictly classroom. It is a teaching establishment that is going for magnent status and is in the process of adding onto thier ER.
All of that makes me want to sign up and believe that I can become a great ER nurse. The terrifying thing is that the ratio is 8:1. I believe that they have it split up into critical and non-crital then they have a seperate asthma room, fast track, and ICU transfer....
Am I crazy to consider this? There is something exciting about being apart of the changes and the chaos.... But I don't want to risk my license when I'm just starting! I would think that the residents and attendings would really help out since it is primary nursing. What are some questions that I should ask before accepting the position? Thanks so much.
Anyone from NYC who says the wait to get into an ER isn't 8 hours on a good night is a liar. My dad still lives in NYC, and I was born and raised there, and a 24 hour waiting room wait is not unheard of. Now I know why. I had no idea the ratio of patients to nurses was that high. No wonder patients have to wait so long. I would move out of the tri-state before I worked 8:1. Oh wait, I did move! Phew...
I have to defend my old hometown. NYers aren't the only ones who complain down south about having to wait or having someone else going before them, not realizing that a stroke gets priority over a toothache no matter how long they've waited. I get plenty of complainers from native Floridians and Southern twangs too. Whining knows no borders. People are basically self-centered no matter where they're from, especially when they're not feeling 100%.
Congrats on getting thru nursing school. I am a new grad also and went straight to the ER. I love love love love love it!! But, i have 10 years of hospital experience and i think it makes for my easy transition.
About the ratio....atleast she is being honest. When i was hired in i was told 4:1....haaaahhaahhaaahhaa. That's when staffing is perfect and there is no wait in the lobby. You are in NYC! That is unlikely to happen. Unless you are an ICU nurse, i don't see too many nurses having a 4:1 or 2:1 ratio in a large metropolis. We have 4-5 room pt load, sometimes more... but with the lobby full of people pts are being pulled out into the hallways. On a med/surg floor, you potentially could be full. The ER....can never be full.
But don't let this discourage you. Try it. You are usually given a long orientation and will know almost immediately if you are an ER nurse, because you will loveit!! MANY nurses come to the ER, with YEARS of experience and quit because they cannot cut it or just simply hate it!!
I think there are definite benefits to starting right out of school because you are trained to be an ER NURSE. If you are smart and ambitious and love the challenge and pace you will be fine. Again, I really love my job....and once you are off orientation you can suck up that OT and shop to your little heart's desire!!!!! EVERYDAY i'm not at work, I get called to come in, with bonus. It's awesome. Good luck!!
HM2VikingRN, RN
4,700 Posts
Thanks for the information. I am doing a synthesis rotation in a small town ER.
When I was at North Memorial in Robbinsdale last spring the nurse I shadowed had a 3:1 ratio. That seemed to be the standard for that ER.