Specialize in Pediatric AND Adult emergency care?

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Hi,

I'm really interested in working in the emergency department. I'm about to graduate from a BSN program and currently doing my preceptorship in a Pediatric ER. It seems to me that the nurses that work in peds ER only float to the general peds floor and PICU. However, I'm interested in both Adult and Peds emergency and wondering if there are positions that float between both? Peds and adults have separate ERs in the hospitals that I'm looking to work at. I don't want to be tied down to just Peds. I know I could look for a hospital that incorporate both into their ER, but those hospitals tend to be smaller and not teaching hospitals.

Does anyone know of nurses that float between both pediatric emergency and adult emergency departments (without being a nurse that floats all over the place)?

Thank you!

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Specializes in Emergency.

My er sees everybody. Yesterday, my patient's ages ranged from 10 months to 98 years. We're a 50 bed er in a suburban community hospital. Nope, not a teaching hospital but is that absolutely critical to you?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

In the places I've seen that have separate adult and peds EDs, most nurses tend to stick to one or the other. A couple floated between both, though. I work in an all-ages ED myself, which I enjoy - variety works for me. :)

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I have worked (and continue to work) in academic medical centers - Level I trauma - where we see everyone, womb to tomb.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I live in a small town, small community ER, so we see it all and I don't think that is what you are after. If your admin won't allow you to float between the two, is there another ER in town that you could get a prn job at? I would think working at the peds ER at your current job and then having a PRN job at a L2 ER nearby might give you close to what you want. And after you are doing that for a bit, maybe admin would realize their rule is only hurting themselves!

Just a thought....

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Thanks for all the replies! Its going to be hard enough to find a job as a new grad, I'll prob have to take whatever they have. Just trying to decide how to write my cover letter to the regional hospitals with separate ERs. I'd take either ER but would love to do both. Work Per Diem is a good idea too! Maybe I could do that for awhile till I decide which I like best.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
Work Per Diem is a good idea too! Maybe I could do that for awhile till I decide which I like best.

I would strongly discourage this for a new grad. You need a solid orientation of at least 12 weeks, 16 is better (16 weeks is the ENA recommendation). And you will not get that at a per diem job.

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Specializes in Emergency.
I would strongly discourage this for a new grad. You need a solid orientation of at least 12 weeks, 16 is better (16 weeks is the ENA recommendation). And you will not get that at a per diem job.

I have to agree with Altra, I know I suggested it, but I didn't realize you were a new grad at the time, I would suggest getting a firm foundation in one or the other before you go for the PRN position.

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We have adult and peds ER and nurses can float between them both. Not all do, and some have a preference not to float.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

We Orient new grads in our ER for 6 months, 40 hrs a week, some of it is classroom and some of it is on the floor, they also complete TNCC, ENPC, ACLS & PALS. Experienced nurses get 12 weeks

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