Thinking about Making the Switch

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

I'm thinking about taking a job in the ER. Currently I work on an antepartum unit, but am looking for a change. I think?

I have my interview on Friday-any suggestions for questions I should ask? For my current job, I knew exactly what I wanted to know because I was very familiar with OB and what my expectations would be.

I plan on feeling this job out as much as the NM will be feeling me out, so any questions are welcome. I'm not 100% about this just yet, and this interview will surely sway me one way or the other.

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Specializes in Peds,ER, Management, Critical Care.

Have you thought about shadowing for a 12 hour shift in the Ed? I'd want to know what's all about before I interviewed for a job. Different ED's do things alot different.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
Have you thought about shadowing for a 12 hour shift in the Ed?

That's interesting. I'm not sure I'd be able to do it before the interview, however, as it's at a different hospital than I'm currently employed. But it's definitely something I'll ask about at the interview before I accept or decline (assuming I'm offered the job:uhoh21: ).

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Well going from Antepartum to ER is definitely a change.

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The ER is a very fast paced, stressful job. Not sure how much stress comes along with antepartum........maybe a lot! But the ER is an incredibley difficult & sometimes terrifying juggling act....I don't mean to disuade you, but it is tough. For me it is anyways!!

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

Well, on antepartum we have the occasional emergency (using emergency in the true sense of the word-not counting precip. deliveries or fevers, etc) such as hemorrhages, cord prolapse, etc.

I was looking for a change of pace, and expected one moving to the ER. :)

I was offered, but decided not to take, this ER job. It's in a small community hospital (smaller than I thought) not equipped to take real traumas, have no neuro on site, no ICU, etc. They do have a 24hr transport ambulance waiting on call, and the Life Flight Helicopter, but the life flight is sometimes grounded (bad weather) or being used. I don't feel comfortable caring for a patient that the facility isn't equipped to treat.

Thanks

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

Hmm...might be nice to have someone around that's comfortable with "catching" babies. Me, "I don't know nuffin 'bout burfing no babies"! he he.

Thing about ED nurses is either you love it or you hate it...but I guess OB is like that too...who knows if it's a change you're going for then a change is surely what you'll get in the ED.

I wish you luck in your new endeavors.

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I was offered, but decided not to take, this ER job. It's in a small community hospital (smaller than I thought) not equipped to take real traumas, have no neuro on site, no ICU, etc. They do have a 24hr transport ambulance waiting on call, and the Life Flight Helicopter, but the life flight is sometimes grounded (bad weather) or being used. I don't feel comfortable caring for a patient that the facility isn't equipped to treat.

Thanks

Actually, working in a rural ER is a challenge because they don't keep traumas. We have to stabilize the pt and keep him stabilized until the transport team can get there, way different than trauma centers that can have the pt in the OR within the hour. Whole different challenge.

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