still too slow and lost!!!!!

[rnhope]

Hi all! ok its been 7weeks of orientation I can only mangage about 3 to 4 pts. and not always effectively and sometimes my preceptor has to jump in and help me out.when a true emergency comes in I feel like I still dont know quite what to do! I really love the er but I am afraid that my coworkers will see me as this new nurse (just graduated in Dec.10 ) who is just not catching on! I feel so out of place most days like I am in the way. I am constantly questioning my preceptor on the orders I am putting in, gosh she must be sick of me. Most days I feel like crying, and I feel like I am just never going to be a great er nurse. Any advice from you on how I can improve would greatly be appreciated. thanks so much!

[whykiki0103]

Hey, first of all, congratulations on landing a job in the ER as a new grad. :) You should be proud of yourself. *pat on the back*

I started as a new grad in the ER myself and know exactly what you're going through. I know the school (or any tech/EMS courses for that matter) never prepared you to be an ER nurse as the courses are more geared towards Med/surg. Don't worry about what other people would think. You need to grow thick skin to work in the ER and you will eventually. :)

I think the most important thing about being an ER nurse is PRIORITIZATION. For example, you have 2 patients who need to be discharged, another one needs pain med and screaming, the next one needs a bed pan, 1 person with fingerstick of 30 and paramedics just brought in a pt with chest pain. What would you do first? :) Know your resources, get acclimated so you can work fast, be flexible as your priority shifts constantly, and don't be too task oriented and forget about the assignment as a whole.

Don't be afraid to jump in and learn as much as you can. For example, don't just watch a code, at least do compressions, hand out meds, get familiar with code carts, look for the pulse yourself, charge up the defibrillator, etc. It's quite different to be doing it than watching it. Write down diagnosis or drugs you've never heard of and look it up at home.

You will do fine. Relax, have fun, learn lots and focus on prioritization! :) Good luck!

[dern64]

We worry about the ones who walk in like they know everything! lol Got to watch them like a hawk. You sound like you care and are trying to do a good job. Asking questions means you are thinking..don't stop!

For a laugh.. we had a "super nurse" who the doctor asked for a stapler while he looking at a scalp lac. She marched right into the nurses' station and picked up the paper stapler, marched right back and held it out with a pleased as punch look! Talk about living hard for a few weeks after that! lol

Keep caring and striving. ER is a blast, hope you decide to stick with it.