I have about 8 months of ED experience in a small, community ED. I was determined to stick it out here for 2 years in order to have enough experience to transfer back to where I grew up, where all my family is, etc. Recently though there has been a mass exodus of staff at my hospital, to the point where there is only 1 RN with experience left to be charge. Everyone else is traveler, registry or New Grad. My hospital states no travelers or registry can be charge.
Last night I showed up at work and the administration had placed a New Grad as Charge. I know we are short on Charge RNs, but being a New Grad as well, I did not feel this was safe and told my unit manager. I also told her that if this continues to happen I would have to look elsewhere for work. Unit manager stated she didn't have anyone else but she would look into it next week--she was out for 5 days on vacation.
The shift was a bit rocky--I had an ICU hold that was slowly tanking, and one other bed that a new ICU patient was placed in. I was not given ANY help in stabilizing new ICU patient, which took about 2 hours. My other patient's BP continued dropping and I would run over and titrate the drips and fluids while trying to get my new patient stable. When I asked for help, I was told everyone was busy.
This experience, plus the conversation I had with the manager, is making me think leaving now versus later is the best decision. I don't have enough experience to get hired in another ER closer to home, so I was wondering what other types of positions are out there that an ER RN would be a good fit for. Urgent cares? Prisons? I don't really want to go to med/surg or a SNF, but those options are available as well.
Any thoughts?
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I have about 8 months of ED experience in a small, community ED. I was determined to stick it out here for 2 years in order to have enough experience to transfer back to where I grew up, where all my family is, etc. Recently though there has been a mass exodus of staff at my hospital, to the point where there is only 1 RN with experience left to be charge. Everyone else is traveler, registry or New Grad. My hospital states no travelers or registry can be charge.
Last night I showed up at work and the administration had placed a New Grad as Charge. I know we are short on Charge RNs, but being a New Grad as well, I did not feel this was safe and told my unit manager. I also told her that if this continues to happen I would have to look elsewhere for work. Unit manager stated she didn't have anyone else but she would look into it next week--she was out for 5 days on vacation.
The shift was a bit rocky--I had an ICU hold that was slowly tanking, and one other bed that a new ICU patient was placed in. I was not given ANY help in stabilizing new ICU patient, which took about 2 hours. My other patient's BP continued dropping and I would run over and titrate the drips and fluids while trying to get my new patient stable. When I asked for help, I was told everyone was busy.
This experience, plus the conversation I had with the manager, is making me think leaving now versus later is the best decision. I don't have enough experience to get hired in another ER closer to home, so I was wondering what other types of positions are out there that an ER RN would be a good fit for. Urgent cares? Prisons? I don't really want to go to med/surg or a SNF, but those options are available as well.
Any thoughts?