To all you ER Pros

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I'm graduating in May and will be working in the ER, if all goes accordingly. What I want to know is: I'm doing my last semester clinical practicum at a hospital that lets us do alot. It's the "county hospital," you might say. It's also the hospital where I plan on working. My fellow students think I'm crazy for working at the "indigent" hospital.:rolleyes: Needless to say, I've gotten to do more in two weeks than they'll probably get to do all semester. Anyway, back to what I wanted to know. What should I be focusing on this last semester that will help in my new grad ED experience. I know that, regardless, I'll be entering the complete unknown, but that's what I like. But surely there are things that I could really focus on now that may help later. Sorry if this has been asked, I looked through the forum, but "fortunately" got caught up in the "Rules for ER nurses" thread for several days. :roll

Nurses rock!!

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

Focus on the basics, ABC/s, try not to let the patients boss you around. Tell them "I am here to do a basic assessment so the doctor can decide if you can eat or drink, please let me do that so your time in this ER/unit can move along quicker".

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Specializes in Emergency.

Have you asked the manager/educator of the ER if there is a new hire package or orientation manual you could get your hands on. I'm in the exact same position as you, doing my placement in a busy ER that lets me do ALOT. Before I started I was given the new hire package and access to an orientation manual for new hires. The educator told me to use this as a guide for what I know/need clarification/am clueless about. It's helped me alot to study on my own time, and guide the questions to ask the nurses.

Hope your final placement keeps going well..... :)

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

Find a way to unwind when not at work. Remeber when you walk out that door at work, you leave it there.

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.
Find a way to unwind when not at work. Remeber when you walk out that door at work, you leave it there.

You wouldn't have any specific ideas of how to unwind, would you? ;)

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