Tele Unit to ER?

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I am a new grad and just got a job on a Med Surg Telemetry Unit. It is at a major cardiac hospital and most if the patients come from the CVICU, so some are pretty acute. I know that it will be a great experience, especially since I will get a great deal of practice reading strips. Ideally, I would love to get an ER after this. Would experience in this unit provide me with a good shot at getting a job in the ER after a year? I know some people use it as a stepping stone to the ICU, but what about the ER?

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

The experience could definitely provide you with a good stepping stone when you want to transition to ER. My other advice is to see if you can float or pick up extra shifts in the ER to help out. I have over 2 years of experience in progressive care and my ER prefers to hire nurses with ER experience, but what got me in was floating/picking up extra shifts. They were able to see my work ethic and see that I was a good fit for the department.

Congratulations on your new position! :D

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I've got two years on tele and am going to the ED soon. According to the managers I interviewed with tele is a great place to get experience that will help in the ED. Our tele unit is also a step down from CCU/CVICU and it's a STEMI center, so it's a good fit.

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Totally. I did it 10 years ago and am still working in the ED. You just have to keep yours eyes open for any spots or any ER training programs where you work. I tried to transfer of and my manager blocked me. Her boss loved me because I always worked hard my patients loved me and I Just had fun at work. I became a very valuable asset to the floor and the hospital. The point of this is I turned in my 2 week notice after finding another ER job and they did everything they could to keep me so I stayed. So it is very very very doable. a lot of places arent real concerned with where you came from per se ust more concerned with how fast and well you work and can identify sick people

Jamie

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