Should a new grad go straight into the ER?

ODJ · Aug 17, 2005

for what it's worth, i'm a new grad and have been in the ED for a little over two months and didn't like it, and will actuall be transferring to SICU in about a week.

before becoming an RN i was an EMT for the same hospital i work for now, which is the regional trauma center for hudson county, nj. (located in jersey city). when i filled out my applicationi put down ED as my first choice and ICU as my second. when i interviewed i was told that with my background it was only natural for me to go into the ED so i agreed.

all throughout school i was flip-flopping between deciding between both ED and ICU.

for me the ED was just too chaotic, and personally i need a bit more structure, and since i came from an EMS background and worked in a very bus urban city i have seen a lot and have kind of gotten over the "addiction" of emergency medicine. i am not saying anything bad about the way my particular hospital operates; this is just the way the ED is, especially in one like i am in. the staff is amazing in out ED actually, and this was the reason i chose to work there. second, and one of the most important, is the fact that i didn't feel like it is the best environment to learn, especially as a new grad. by that i mean things happen quickly and the patient turnover happens so fast you don't have time to really learn about each case, and once the pt. is stabalized they are discharged or admitted (or they expire) and you don't really get to follow up on the case. plus with a pt. load of 7 usually (i know some ED's have more, i heard horror stories!) you don't have time to research/learn about each pt. personally i just kept wanting to know more. also, this may sound bizarre, but i actually was losing weight! we get one 30 minute break per 12 hr. shift, which is ridiculous! my health is more inportant than anything else!

on the flip side i know a paramedic who worked with me in EMS, became an RN, went to the ICU, hated it, and transferred to the ED, and loves it! so it really depends on what you are looking for. by no means is SICU going to be easy, (it will be a huge challenge!) but i think it will be a better environment for me to learn about physiology, sytems, pharmacology, etc.

so, i guess it all depends on what your looking for, and if you really want to be in the ED, you are in an amazing place, and if it is your first time being exposed exposed to this kind of environment i can definately understand your reasons for enjoying it, and if you think it's for you then go for it! i have a friend who used to be an attending in that ED, and i actually thought about going there as well. if you can hack it there you will most likely be able to go any ED!

good luck, and sorry about the long post!

liz1979 · Aug 22, 2005

thanks for writing me back with good advice. i agree with you - i think that everyone is different and has to think about what they can handle or what kind of environment they want to be in. i am pretty much decided that i will do a years worth of medical-surgical nursing before specializing any where. because i took an accelerated nursing degree i don't feel i have had enough exposure of clinical skills and worry that i won't be able to grasp half the stuff in a hectic ER.

thanks again! :wink2: