Tele Nurse starting in ED

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Specializes in Cardiac, ED.

I am making the swich to ED after 2 years being on a cardiac step down...any advice?:nurse:

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

you'll be great. i think tele nurses are an asset to the ED because believe it or not you guys read strips better than we do! i'm still trying to remember 2nd degree blocks. the best advice is to prioritze, prioritize. if the patient isn't dying then guess what.....they can wait. the ED is a nice switch, you'll learn alot and have fun doing it. good luck.:nuke:

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

I have also considered ER since it involves quick turnover and having a doctor on the ready everpresent to help out with scary situations. Let us know how you like it and how difficult the transition. Hopefully they will grant you long orientation. I'm kind of freaked about dealing with kids and vented patients on titrations...but newness is the key to keep us happy and on our toes, right?!

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

BriBri,

I transfered to ED in Jan after almost 8 yrs on a cardiac unit,...I love it! There were many things that I'm still getting used to,.like knowing next to nothing about your pt's! The goal in the ED is to treat the emergency and move the pt (home, floor, ICU ,OR, wherever) and do it as quickly as possible because there is always 20 other people in the waiting room to be seen and 4 EMS units pulling into the parking lot!! If you come in with a laceration and your blood sugar is 305 (not that I would even check in most situations), and you haven't taken you BP meds today,.I can't really worry much about that,.fix the laceration and move on. That way of thinking was hard to get used to after years of treating the new MI, AND thier gout, DM, fibromyalgia,HTN, IBS, depression, etc. It even took me awhile to get used to having Dr's around all the time! (I work nights ;)) Once you get used to the pace, and realize that you have to stay c/o focused or you will never get people out of there, you will figure out what works for you. What I like best about the ED is you do your job and go home,what doesn't get done is passed on to the next shift. NEVER in the ED have I been stuck at work an hour after my shift charting or catching up on orders that didn't get done "from my shift"!! My new co workers, many whom have never worked anything but ED, don't understand when I tell them that I'll never go back to a floor again because there was always more to do than staff and time to do it!! The ED is very fast paced, very busy,.but a different type of busy,.you do what you can in the time you have, and let the next shift take over where you left off. Many will laugh,.but I find the ED much less frustrating than the floor! I hope you are happy with your move,.I have been. Hang in there,.keep an open mind and find a good mentor to learn from!! Keep us posted on how it goes for you!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac, ED.

Thanks Cardiac and Tele......:lol2: Your words are encouraging. I really can't wait to start in the ED. Floor work seems to be getting repetitive, (no offence guys). Aug, can't come soon enough! I will keep ya all posted as to how it's going. :wink2:

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BriBri,

I transfered to ED in Jan after almost 8 yrs on a cardiac unit,...I love it! There were many things that I'm still getting used to,.like knowing next to nothing about your pt's! The goal in the ED is to treat the emergency and move the pt (home, floor, ICU ,OR, wherever) and do it as quickly as possible because there is always 20 other people in the waiting room to be seen and 4 EMS units pulling into the parking lot!! If you come in with a laceration and your blood sugar is 305 (not that I would even check in most situations), and you haven't taken you BP meds today,.I can't really worry much about that,.fix the laceration and move on. That way of thinking was hard to get used to after years of treating the new MI, AND thier gout, DM, fibromyalgia,HTN, IBS, depression, etc. It even took me awhile to get used to having Dr's around all the time! (I work nights ;)) Once you get used to the pace, and realize that you have to stay c/o focused or you will never get people out of there, you will figure out what works for you. What I like best about the ED is you do your job and go home,what doesn't get done is passed on to the next shift. NEVER in the ED have I been stuck at work an hour after my shift charting or catching up on orders that didn't get done "from my shift"!! My new co workers, many whom have never worked anything but ED, don't understand when I tell them that I'll never go back to a floor again because there was always more to do than staff and time to do it!! The ED is very fast paced, very busy,.but a different type of busy,.you do what you can in the time you have, and let the next shift take over where you left off. Many will laugh,.but I find the ED much less frustrating than the floor! I hope you are happy with your move,.I have been. Hang in there,.keep an open mind and find a good mentor to learn from!! Keep us posted on how it goes for you!!!

I've been 3 years on a busy Tele floor and I'm wondering what to do next. I feel like I'm not going to learn too much more where I'm at and your post really caught my eye - the staffing issues and not getting out on time after a really bad day - I'm so tired of it. Most of the nurses have gone to ICU - and they always wink at me and say "when are you coming over?" I am not sure - I also think maybe I'd like the ER - I've also been a volunteer first responder (EMT) for 5 years and sometimes I like being first on scene assessing what's going on etc.......

I have thought about how I might like the fast pace of the ER

I'm printing your post to mull over when I'm in my job reevaluation mode!

thanks

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

After 10 years of ICU, I moved to the ER three years ago and rarely regret it. It's never boring, everyday is honestly a new challenge and a learning experience. You will use skills you never knew you had. I've never had such close relationships with my co-workers as I do now. It also helps to have ADD and be a little bit psychotic. Go for it.

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Specializes in ER/ medical telemetry.

i have been on my own as a new grad in the er since a couple of days ago, and have been orienting since the 2nd week of june.

it has been a awsome learning experience.

it can be quiet to insane, but i love it.

you never know what to expect.

dr's are there when you need them.

you get what you put into it.

if you help others, they remember and help you.

never act as if you know everything, because my gosh you do not.

i learn so many things for so many people.

i am so blessed.

i love my job...

i love the er, even though i am a newbie.

after 10 years of icu, i moved to the er three years ago and rarely regret it. it's never boring, everyday is honestly a new challenge and a learning experience. you will use skills you never knew you had. i've never had such close relationships with my co-workers as i do now. it also helps to have add and be a little bit psychotic. go for it.
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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.

Just a post of support from BriBri's twin sis here!

Guess what? She finally got her NY license today! YAYYYYY!!! (That'll teach ya to work in PA.)

I wish you guys knew her in real life, she's an AWESOME nurse.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

BriBri it's Sept,.....waiting to hear how its going?? Perhaps your too busy for allnurses??? Naahhhhhh Let us know how it's going girl!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac, ED.
BriBri it's Sept,.....waiting to hear how its going?? Perhaps your too busy for allnurses??? Naahhhhhh Let us know how it's going girl!!!

Well, I just started today!!! I have been waiting for my NY license for almost 8 weeks!!! YIKES!!! I finally got though orientation and now started on the floor today! I was so excited. I love the people, the pace is great. I can't wait 'til I can actully do somthing productive! lol I'll keep ya posted....I'm sure I will have questions for ya all....

PS: I hung my first Mannatiol (sp?) gtt today!!!hehhehehe

Thanks for all your support guys!!

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Specializes in ER, telemetry.

Hope you love it like I do!! I transferred to the ER after 5 years of Tele, and have never regretted it. I keep trying to get the girls I used to work with on tele to transfer!! I love the fast pace and the variety. And, another poster was right, you will be able to read strips better than most of the ER nurses, and most of the docs too ;) But those nurses and docs will have a lot to teach you as well!!! Good luck and have FUN!

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