What does it take to be an ED nurse, and should a new grad even try?

[futurecnm]

I am a nursing student who will be done with school in May. I have always been interested in ED nursing. I had a chance to do some shadowing during my summer internship and really liked it. However, I have not had any experience working in ED. Our clinicals have mainly been on med/surg floors. I was scheduled to precept on a cardiac ICU unit, but yesterday was informed of a new opening for a preceptorship in a ED. I took it, just because I really want to know if I love it or hate it. I was wondering if you could tell me what you think are qualities most ED nurses have, and whether it is possible for a new grad to succeed in this environment. I spent the summer interning on a med/surg floor. I went into nursing wanting to go into OB (like many others did) and find myself gravitating more towards the other specialty areas (ICU, ED etc). I am a 2nd career nurse (33 yr old) and feel I handle stress fairly well. However, I'm new and naive! How do you feel about new grads and what types of personalities do the best in the ED?

[MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN]

If you want to do it, go for it! Many ERs are hiring new grads and have programs in place for them to succeed. While I agree not everyone is meant for the ER, the best precepting you will get is as a new grad. Usually 16-20 weeks....experienced nurses only get a few weeks and are expected to go.

JMHO

Maisy;)

[runawaytrain]

I take it that ED is not a fun place to work??? I really am clueless I just wanted to hear if anyone has gone into ED right away and the pros and cons. I guess if I'll just be thrown into the lion's den then maybe I'll stay away:uhoh3:

I am also considering float pool to get an idea of where I want to work. They always are looking for float nurses, even though that probably isn't ideal for a new grad also!

I graduated in May of 07 and started working in the third busiest ED in the state a week later and I'll tell you what, it is a shark tank. Coworkers will be catty and sometimes very jaded in their work. The thing is, though, is that it's not as bad as it sounds. The cattiness of the coworkers is more of a "hazing" until you earn their respect. When you work in a place that's so fast-paced, you really need to prove yourself worthy so they know that when it all comes down on you, you wont kill someone. Am I making sense? Just be open to learn and don't be afraid to ask questions, no matter how dumb you may think they are. I know I asked some pretty dumb questions (or so I thought) and it turns out that even the slightest detail is important. In a place like the ED, you need to be able to understand EVERYTHING, no matter how small. When your questions are answered, your confidence is raised and it will show.

Now when it comes to the jaded nurses, well, they will always be like that and you should limit your interaction with them as much as possible, or you will be miserable, too. I think that if you can't be pleasant at work, then you need to find someplace else to work. Now, we all have those patients that will just make you shake your head, but when every single patient you have is like that, then there is a problem.

Sorry for writing you a novel and I hope any information helps! The ED is a scary place to start out, but as the nurse who hired me said when I told her that I really wanted to do ED, but I was scared that I maybe I wouldn't be good enough, "You should feel like that. It means you will try harder to learn. I wouldn't hire any new nurse if they thought they could handle anything." Good luck!

[LPN2RNdude]

ive worked in a lot of different areas, and ER is like no other. you have to think quick, and always remember the ABCD's..... have to know when a patient is going bad and what to do. ive been in the ER for about 4 months now, and its been quite a learning experience. tonight was new years eve and i think its the worst evening we've had since ive been working there.... for instance...

1200 noon,,,, i had 2 chest pains in exam rooms, one chest pain in the hallway on a bed with no monitor (all of our rooms were full) and then an ambulance brought in an acute abdomen with no palpable pulse or blood pressure, who was practically stabalized in the hallway on the ambulance gurney. but everyone survived, and i was able to leave work on time. it was just really scary,,,,,, the day was like a blur....... dont remember too much about everything that went on.... you have to multi-task and keep track of the patients under your care. ts the toughest job ive ever had as a nurse, but i love it because the variety is so great and i enjoy the team work that goes with being in the ER..... as far as being a new grad in the ER,,,,, we have a few of those..... trust me... you catch on REAL quick about what to do in certain situations.... give it a shot,,,, i think youll like it.