tips on acclimating to ED- seasoned nurse

[arnie1234]

Hi everyone,

after 13 years of nursing, mostly in the periop setting (pacu, or, preop)...

I made the daring step of moving to the ER in an academic setting. I have been officially on the floor for a little over 2 weeks. I think it is a great environment, the docs and NPs are great, most of the nurses have a great sense of teamwork. As far as the techs go, some are great, and some I can never find. If I have to hunt you down to ask you to do something, I could have done it already myself at that point...

I want to make sure that I do a good job and carry my weight. So far, I feel that I have acclimated to the charting system and have a pretty good handle on prioritization of care.

Last night one of our patients had BPs in the 60/40 range and my preceptor and I spent alot of time in that room. I was not freaked out about this since I have worked in pacu with ICU patients. Obviously, this patient became our priority and the others had to sit until we could stabilize her.

When it was time for lunch relief, I asked if our relief could go give another lunch first, I wanted to get caught up on charting and VS for the others. She did. I didnt like leaving things undone. Maybe I am spending too much time worrying about things that are not important? Before I call report on a patient I also like to take a few minutes to review any abnormal labs, any pertinent history outside of the reason for visit...

So far my preceptor hasnt provided any negative feedback other than maybe I should try to spend less time with my patients so I wont feel behind at times.

Another thing I am adjusting to is that the flow of the area makes no sense. The supplies are not kept near the med room, so to start an infusion you have to go to two totally different places for supplies... and then to a totally out of the way closet for a pump . Oh yeah and there are few supplies in the rooms unless they are trauma rooms..

I am just looking for tips that might help me not feel behind ( if possible )

How do you manage your work flow?

I know that it is situationally dependent, but how much time is an acceptable time lapse from the time a patient gets into the exam room until you get in to meet them?

Any tips that can help me acclimate would be great!

thanks

[diprifan]

I just transferred from ICU to ED, its been challenging. I am running into the same things. I find that the work flow does not make sense and somethings are not logically in place (at least where I work).