Shadowing in the ED

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2011

This is probably a little too late...:

1. Get to know the person you are shadowing. As in ask them the same question: "Hey! I know I'm new here. I want things to proceed smoothly. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask if you have any pet peeves when being shadowed?"

2. Keep your eyes and ears open.

3. If possible try and establish a "Can I ask questions?" and "how can I/how do I ask questions?" routine established. Some nurses don't mind interruptions, some do, some are vague about it etc.

4. Don't worry about "getting in the way". Old ED joke: As a 'shadow' you're supposed to get in the way!

5. At the same time, please don't take offense if a staff member or your assigned shadow nurse shoo's you out of the room for some reason. They may or may not be able to explain why.

6. No one expects you to know everything. So if you're asked a question you don't know the answer to - even if you feel like you should - admit the truth with a simple "I don't know" or "I've never seen that" or "I've never done that". ED nurses can smell bullpoop a mile away.

Good luck!

Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 19, 2011

Good advice so far. I guess they're not going to actually let you DO anything, but just observe, right? As in, no EKG's, no IV starts, etc. However, it's very helpful when I get an ambulance to one of my rooms if I have someone there just to take VS while I take down the hx, allergies, story, and everything from the EMS guys. Speeds things along when there's someone who hooks up the pt to the heart monitor, BP cuff, O2 probe, etc. That would help ingratiate you to me!

And just gophering in general. However, don't offer to leave and help someone to the BR if there's actually something neat going on that you could learn from, but if you're just sitting around at any point, then bringing a pillow to someone else's pt shows a willingness to help even when you're not hardly allowed to do much of anything.

Good luck!

ERRNLNCINCA · Jul 19, 2011

I believe you can't do anything patient related when you shadow. The feedback the RN you shadow gives to the manager will probably make or break your job offer there. As an ER nurse, I appreciate a smart newcomer. So ask thoughtful questions, but don't pepper a busy nurse with too many questions. I would remain quiet and polite. I would not give anyone too much personal information. Don't offer any opinions on any of the staff there, even if they seem mean, as ER nurses can sometimes be perceived as mean. Enthusiasm is good, but not fake and overdone. When they are thinking of hiring you and they schedule you to shadow, it means that there is something about you that they like. Now they are looking to see if you fit in with the staff. They are also looking for any blatant bad habits. Bathe, don't eat onions, and keep your tatoos and body parts hidden.