Soon to be a new RN grad, want to work in the ER

[nice2]

I am soon to be a new RN grad, and want to work in a ER in the Chicagoland area or suberbs. How can I get into a ER with training. HELP somebody !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CHATSDALE]

some hospitals want some experience before working in specility areas

some would rather have someone who doesn't have anything to unlearn

er calls for keen assessment skills, also a thick skin and lots of patience

good luck

[Jaybird310]

I went straight into ER after school. The hospital I first worked at was already a teaching hospital and even though I didn't go through their program for my schooling (it's associated with a community college and I went to a university) I applied there for ER and got offered a job. They had a new grads program, ask people in your area if any of the hospitals around where you work have new grad programs for the ER. Or as the poster above me said some hospitals like having new grads because there are no bad habits to unlearn and they can be taught their way from the get go, so just look around. If something doesn't come up right away you can always work for a year or two and get experience under your belt then go into the ER. Nursing a long term career and ER's won't be going anywhere and some will always be understaffed so eventually you'll get in.

[alkaleidi]

Going into the ER as a new grad is completely doable -- just keep in mind you are learning 2 things: 1) how to be a nurse, and 2) how to be an ER nurse. Make sure you are VERY well-orientated on general nursing assessment, etc, in addition to the ER-specific skills and processes.

Get your hands on policy and procedure manuals and actually READ them. It seems like everywhere I have work at kind of views the P&P's as "you can read them (wink wink) and sign here saying you have read them and are familiar with them all," but as a new grad it's actually good to read them. Also, as a new grad and for ANY ER nurse, get a copy of all of the protocols, both the basic ones (sore throat, abdominal pain, toothache, etc) as well as the big ones (stroke, chest pain, etc).

It is harder because you are a new grad, but it's definitely something that has been done and will continue to be done. Not every new grad works out (though few ERs tend to utilize the 90-day probationary period)... but many do.

For example, the ER I work in right now is just finishing orientating 4 new-grad RNs. 2 of 4 are doing GREAT. 1 of the other 2 is doing alright. The other 1 is doing poor to fair. If it's something you are passionate about, and you are willing to learn, no, ABSORB, and adapt to a new way of thinking as a nurse, then GO for it... it's an exciting place to be! :) Good luck and welcome!

[alkaleidi]

What suburbish area are you in? (I'm south of Chicago.) If you are that passionate about going right into an ER, I would apply at all of the local ERs that you are interested in, within a decent driving distance. (Sorry, addendum to my previous response.) :)