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Discussion

Will start ER in 1 month!!!

Hello everyone... I am set to start in the Emergency Department in a community hospital in NY in 1 month. I am very Excited/Anxious and nervous. I do not have any hospital experience. I graduated with my Associates in 2012 and I worked as a School Nurse, Residential Nurse and currently as a Care Manager. I recently graduated with my BSN in October 2015.

When I graduated with my BSN, I started applying for positions in Labor and Delivery and ED. I got 2 call backs and was offered both positions. I chose the community hospital because there is so much room to grow and the Nurse Managers reported that the Nurses do everything and learn sooo much.

As I sit back and think about my decision... I am wondering what I can do to prepare for orientation and my new position. I feel like I have lost all skills and I am starting to get nervous. I appreciate all tips and suggestions.

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    • Featured Replies

    I'm in the same boat! Starting the ED in May --- my first hospital job! Definitely very scary. How long is your orientation?

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    Get an (or a couple of) emergency nursing books and start self studying; I have Sheehy's and ENA's Core Curriculum for Pediatric Nursing (I work at a Level I PediER).

    Also be prepared to get a ACLS, PALS, books; I am sure you will become certified in those.

    Be willing to learn from everybody; take what you need, analyze it and then shape to your practice.

    Once you learn about ESI levels, tailor your practice and monitoring to help with keep up and anticipating what your patients need.

    Also remember your critical thinking hat-don't forget to think outside of the box.

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    My hospital nursing orientation is 4 days( learning how to use the pumps and protocols)... i am going to shadow a nurse/ be with my preceptor for 2 months and longer of need be. How long is your orientation?

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    Is there anything I can study now?

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    Is there anything I can study now?

    I gave you examples by purchasing those books and reading them, to get an background knowledge to what you are going to see; also get the PALS and ACLS book and start reading in order to be prepared to get those certifications.

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    • Author

    Ladyfree28 thanks

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    I'm a new grad Nurse that just started orienting in the ER a week and a half ago (with prior experience as a Paramedic both in hospital and out of hospital) I also agree that Sheehy's Manual of Emergency Care is a great resource. I also have the book "Fast Facts for the ER Nurse" and I am have found that super helpful as well. It is geared toward orientation, so there are tons of good facts plus a list of common ER meds and also an orientation outline. While my hospital doesn't use that outline, it is giving me good ideas of things I need to ask about that we may not cover. I also am keeping a little notebook with tips from my preceptor about things along with important charting tips I need to know. That's where I'm putting questions as I have them (when off the clock). I add in the answers if they're things I don't think I will remember.

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    • Experts

    Who-hoo! You go, girl! Hope to be in your shoes soon! Stay positive! I imagine that you need to review lots of cardiac and pulmonary meds, and CPR. Also, jump right in when there is an opportunity to put in an IV, an NG tube, urinary cath, anything a nurse can , even if you don't get it right at first. Practice makes perfect.

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