What was your residency like? (Starting ED residency in under 2 weeks)

[SR8811]

Hey friends!

So I start a residency program in less than 2 weeks and am just trying to get a decent idea of what I am going to be doing..

I know my first 2 weeks are general classes for the charting system and typical orientation classes.. I believe during the interview they mentioned ED specific classes, and then a good amount of time with a preceptor (a couple months at least).

Past that I have no idea what to expect. My manager sent an email saying she will be in contact with me regarding my post- orientation schedule in the ED.

I have also heard there are tests for residency?

Any info is appreciated!

[Cindyel, ASN, RN]

I am currently in a nurse residency in the ED and that is pretty much my exact situation. We get 12 weeks with a preceptor after those first 2 weeks of classes. We also had ED specific classes later in. We had to take an EKG interpretation class that we had to pass or would have to relocate to another dept. We have a ton of online modules to complete as well.

Our residency lasts 1 year with monthly 4 hour classes. It is great to have the support of your cohort.

The ED is a wild ride so buckle up! It is incredibly fast paced and you never know what is coming in the door.

Good Luck!

[OliveOyl91, BSN, RN]

I’m also new to a residency program! I’m working orthopedics/trauma. I’m grateful because it’s the unit and shift I worked for as a CNA for three years. Although already an employee, I enjoyed the week of classroom orientation and got to meet new nurses in the residency and also new (yet seasoned) nurses to the organization. My managers have scheduled me eight weeks of on-the-floor orientation with my preceptor, but have mentioned I’m welcomed to more if I feel like I need it. So far I’ve noticed that it’s a blessing and a curse working on my unit. I’m already comfortable and familiar with my coworkers, patients, and environment, but I’m really having to focus on my new position and priorities.

My residency is also one year long and we have monthly meetings/seminars with our cohort. We won’t have any tests, but at the end of our program we have a specialty specific presentation that we need to give.

[kleeschr, BSN, RN]

I started as a new grad in an ICU - we had 4 months of orientation that was a mix of working on the unit under a preceptor and taking loads of classes. We had general classes such as EHR/courses for nurse residency, but they also had us go through EKG interpretations, 2 rounds of critical care classes, and then a ton of specialty classes on things like vents/cardiac surgeries/transplant patients, etc. We had tests over the EKG interpretation & Critical Care classes, but it was mire to ensure that you actually knew and understood the info then them trying to weed out and fail you. We also did BLS/ACLS/PALS. The nurse residency itself is a year long of maybe one 4-hour class a month (which we all mostly find a waste of time), but the other courses were actually pretty useful.

It is overwhelming at first, but they have trained new people a million times before and have a system - you will do great!