Where should I start?

ERRNTraveler, RN · Jan 22, 2008

You could try to get a job as a tech in an ER while you finish school- that will give you an idea of what the "ER environment" is like, and you'll have your foot in the door to move into an ER RN role after you graduate.

bill4745, RN · Jan 23, 2008

ER tech would be the best thing you could do. You will learn a lot about ER nursing and see firsthand what it is like so that you will know if it is what you really want to do.

Larry77, RN · Jan 23, 2008

If pre-hospital care is really what you want to do maybe you should just get your midic after your LPN rather than doing both RN/medic?

Or if you want to have both maybe you would be interested in Lifeflight nursing but then you should look into the ICU as they usually like some critical care experience as well as prehospital.

Have you been on a ride-a-long with EMS? Also could job-shadow a nurse in the ED and ICU to see what you think you will like.

You have a ton of options and even if you don't like your first choice it will be easy to change departments once you get your foot in the door.

Congrats and good luck!

RN1989 · Jan 23, 2008

Reading quite a few of the posts from new nurses to the ER, I don't think that you should be jumping right into ER work. Too many of the posters here have expressed difficulty adjusting to such a fast pace without adequate training and followup. While you are still an LPN, I would suggest you take a job on a med-surg unit. You need to get all the basics down first. No, med-surg floors aren't usually considered "fun" places to work, but you will get a variety of diagnoses that will train you on all the nuances of care for those type of pts. It will be much easier for you to go into the ER when you have an excellent grasp of the care/needs of various diagnoses. Then you will just need to learn the ER side of things instead of trying to learn how the ER works while you are still trying to get accustomed to recognizing the signs/symptoms of ailments.

The poster who discussed mobile ICU such as flight nursing was correct - you will need ICU experience. If you get med-surg experience as an LPN, you probably will not have any problem sliding into an ICU position once you get your RN. Or even into an ER position upon graduation from RN school.

Good luck on your trek and don't be afraid to change directions if an opportunity arises. Many people become afraid to change the road they are on but sometimes a detour is just what you need in the long run of attaining your goals.

Price 2002 · Jan 31, 2008

Thank you all for your responses and tips. I have been on many EMS ride alongs over the past few years. I thought about becoming a tech my only problem is that I work PRN at a LTC only twice a month because school is taking up so much of my time right now. LPNs in the my area hospitals only make about as much as I do as an aide. But I think I going to work in a LTC after getting my LPN and then try to PRN in a hospital...if I can find one interested in me. But I plan on going for my RN as soon as I pass boards and then bridging to my medic. I look forward to gaining more knowledge and really enjoy learning from everyone here on this site. Thank you so much!

ERRNTraveler, RN · Jan 31, 2008

Thank you all for your responses and tips. I have been on many EMS ride alongs over the past few years. I thought about becoming a tech my only problem is that I work PRN at a LTC only twice a month because school is taking up so much of my time right now. LPNs in the my area hospitals only make about as much as I do as an aide. But I think I going to work in a LTC after getting my LPN and then try to PRN in a hospital...if I can find one interested in me. But I plan on going for my RN as soon as I pass boards and then bridging to my medic. I look forward to gaining more knowledge and really enjoy learning from everyone here on this site. Thank you so much!

Well, if you are looking for a job that is going to better prepare you to work in an ER as an RN, working in a LTC facility isn't going to help you out much...

Price 2002 · Jan 31, 2008

Well of course I realize that but there is not many jobs for LPNs in the hospitals in my area...most LPNs are being fased (sp?) out. So I am going to do my best to find one but I have to get a job when I am done and there are plenty of LTCs here that are dying for nurses....I am think that once I get my RN I will try to get a position on a Med/Surg floor and work on getting into the ER from there

ERtech · Feb 1, 2008

I will echo the idea of working as a tech in the ER while in school. I am currently working as a tech in the ER, finishing up pre-req's and starting nursing school in the fall (i hope!). I have learned a ton working as a tech and definitely think the experience will help me a lot once I become an RN. I am able to work alongside the nurses in a very fast paced environment doing everything from stocking linen to drawing blood and helping in codes. Great experience!

Price 2002 · Feb 3, 2008

That does sounds like a good idea. I have an apps in a several area hospitals...just waiting to hear something. I just have VERY limited hours that I can work.