Starting as a New Grad RN in a Level 2 Trauma ED at Cleveland Clinic Monday

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Hi everyone!

So I landed my dream job as a trauma/ED nurse at one of Cleveland Clinic's Level 2 trauma centers. I start this Monday Oct 23. I can't help but say I'm super excited, however I I'm not going to lie I am nervous.

During my second degree accelerated BSN program, I had the opportunity for each clinical rotation to follow a nurse one on one preceptor style working the 12 hour shifts, nights, days, holidays for each clinical. I completed 270 hours on a step down unit, 90 hours on a SICU and did my senior practicum 180 hours in a neighboring ED (non trauma, still high volume). Although I have "experience" in the ED as a student, I can't help but say I'm afraid I will be overwhelmed with the high acuity trauma.

I tend to learn baptism by fire, I think quick on my feet and thrive/excel I high stress environments/ chaotic situations. I tend to stay calm under pressure.

My question to everyone is... for your first day of work in the ED is it natural to have the nervous butterflies? How did you cope with being an orient? How do you prevent feeling overwhelmed?

Thanks!!! I appreciate everyone's help!

Kaity

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Specializes in Adult and pediatric emergency and critical care.

If it makes you feel any better, trauma care is one of the easiest parts of ED nursing. Don't let the Level 2 thing make you worry, of all things you have far more resources available; I have worried more about traumas in my level 4 center than when I used to work in a level 1.

Feeling nervous is a good thing. It means that you don't feel prepared, you are in a new environment. If someone walked in and wasn't nervous on their first day I would be concerned about them. A good preceptor is going to be a great resource for you. If you know when to ask for help you will do great. When you feel overwhelmed ask for help.

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Assuming your ED has a segregated trauma bay, it'll be a while before you're over there taking care of fresh traumas. Worry about bread and butter ED for now.

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Totally normal! If trial by fire works for you, you'll do well. Give it six months to a year before you don't feel like a complete idiot, cry your whole drive home, and lie awake at night re-living all of the things you did wrong. You'll do great!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

It is normal to have nervous butterflies whenever you start a new job, return to work after a lengthy medical leave or when you're starting a new clinical as a student.

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A 'go getter' attitude that is palpable, a grateful heart sprinkled with humility...you will go far...v e r y f a r !!!! Nerves are normal. I encourage ask, ask and ask then ask some more. My orientees that did this and displayed these behaviors got to see and do and learn the most and ended up staying for the long haul...You got this, you'll do great. Prayers going up for you!!! Have a great first day :)

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Thank you so much for your kind advice! Today wasn't as overwhelming as I thought! I learned a lot!! I can't wait to keep going back, because I truly love the department already. You mentioned that you had orientees, as a preceptor what are some things you have noticed your orients have struggled with? Do you have any suggestions on additional outside textbooks/resources? Any tips/ helpful advice I welcome!! I'm not afraid to ask questions, when you don't ask questions even if you're not sure... that's when you put he patient most at risk. That's when your mindset shifts from the patient being the center of your focus, to yourself being your focus and having too big of an ego to admit you don't know.

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