With an ADN can I be a ER nurse right out of the program?

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2004

Absolutely! You can be hired into an ED with an ADN...Typically a valid RN license is the requirement.

Look for a facility that offers a comprehensive orientation plan or an internship. There's a lot to learn between nursing school and ED nursing. Good luck!

susswood · Aug 10, 2004

ADN or BSN....please do not go straight to the ER out of school. You have a long career ahead of you, why not spend the dreaded year of med-surg first? Sorry, new grads do not belong in the ER. I could go on and on about why, but if you really think about it, without getting too emotionally caught up in it, it will make sense to you too.

Good luck in your career! I mean this in only the most sincere way! :)

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2004

I parrot what Susswood said. Your limiting factor will be your lack of experience not your degree. You would do yourself a big favor if you had a year of med surg under your belt. That is always my advice to new grads no matter what they may want to do down the road. You gain invaluable skills that will be needed forever. Nursing school teaches you how to be a nurse just like a driving permit teaches you to drive. Both assume a level of competence, but what you need is experinece. ER is very tough on a new grad. Most ER's are so short staffed and busy that even if you have a good preceptor, you are going to be missing out on something. If you are bent on working in the ER right out of school, then at least work there in some capacity while you are in school. The more exposure and patient care you can get, the better. Read the following thread about a typical day in an urban ER and you will get a good idea of what it is really like.

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=75201

andyman1216 · Aug 10, 2004

I Completely Agree With The Last Two Kiddies. Go To Med/surg, Get Your Basics Down Where No One Is Gonna Die When You Start Making Your Mistakes... Cause Everyone Does.

Up Until Last Year, I Use To Think That Some Exceptional New Grads Could Do Er, But I've Seen The Light. You Will Not Enjoy It Nearly As Much If You Dont Know The Basic Fundamentals.

I Appreciate My 5 Yrs Of Pshych, Med/surg,peds,and Home Health. I Am Positive That I Am A Great Nurse Because Of That Experience...

Trauma Columnist · Aug 10, 2004

I work in a large level one trauma center and we now hire new grads. However, we have a very comprehensive 12-16 week orientation. During orientation, the new nurses take ACLS, a peds course - either PALS or ENPC and a trauma course - TNCC usually. So...it is okay to go straight to the ED but you have to be willing to really work and continue to study on your time off.

needsmore$ · Aug 10, 2004

We have started taking GNs but I find that it really helps if they have a yr medsurg-learn how to put foleys/NGs/IVs in. Learn about the common million meds elderly people take. Start developing critical thinking skills in a less stressed environment (note I did not say less-busy). Those skills are a MUST before you enter an atmosphere where you have to work fast, efficient and make critical decisions on the run. I am orienting GNs-I developed a 3 month training period w/ mentoring afterwards- (including ACLS, PALS)-and I am finding that those with less experience (the 2 yr program nurses) are finding the transition very difficult-those that had 4 yrs (these pograms may have more clinical time) do better. Also, it helps if you had experience working in an ED as a tech-so you're familiar with some of the ED flow. Most orientation programsare not designed to make you an ED nurse-it just makes sure you provide safe care.Yyou have to make yourself an ED nurse with continuing education-and alot of it- Good luck- ED is the place to be

:)

needsmore$ · Aug 10, 2004

pograms=programs

programsare=programs are

Yyou=you

Worked all night-sorry for the typos

Anne

purplemania, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2004

You can be hired and probably will be, but I echo the sentiment that new grads need med-surg experience. ER nurses are required to make accurate assessments rapidly. I know they focus on the complaint, but if I come in with an infected foot and you neglect to address my diabetes, we might have problems.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Aug 10, 2004

In our facility, the ED is the one unit where brand new nurses won't be hired (even they teched there previously).

susswood · Aug 10, 2004

It really needs to be looked at from an advocacy point of view. We do what's right by the patient. Patients in critical care areas deserve experienced nurses, period.

tiredfeetED · Aug 11, 2004

Although i spent one year working on a Tele floor as a Nurse Extern, I went straight to the ED out of school.... This is what i wanted from day one. I had only been in a ED prior to working there once. Now that i think about it I learned alot as a Extern, Pulling femoral sheaths, monitoring chest tubes etc.. IV skills were still weak and put in one NG tube the whole year...

I think no matter where you go after graduation, there will be a huge learning curve. The first six months were the scariest...I dreaded to see the 3 month old septic work up..but i think i would of been scared anywhere.

But the biggest thing you must know before working in the ED is GET A GOOD pair of shoes! Because you wont sit down! :)