1 yr RN, starting in the ER Dec 29, 2014

[ConstantLearner2010]

Hello Everyone,

I just had my one year anniversary on Dec 21 and I am very excited. In the past year I have worked very hard to prepare for this particular position. I initially applied for this position in January and was later found that I didn't qualify because my school wasn't accredited to the standards of the VA. So I graduated with my BSN in October and completed ACLS and TNCC training, all in preparation. I am super excited and nervous of course. I would like to know if there are any tips of the trade. I am afraid to have a nurse that doesn't like teaching or someone to try and disregard me because of my lack of experience. I do not have the experience but I have the drive and determination. I know it is going to take me getting out there to really learn but are there any books or quick guides that would help me during a shift? What do you recommend I take with me everyday? Any advice is appreciated. No matter what, I am going to love it!

Thanks.

ConstantLearner

[JBudd, MSN]

Get ready to have 83 things thrown at you all at once; learn to set priorities. What needs to be done STAT, ASAP, urgently, or can wait a bit.

Ask lots of questions, learn where everything is.

Get used to the crash cart.

Find out policies on how often VS and assessments have to be done and charted.

Drink lots of water, and don't be afraid to leave the floor long enough to pee (except during codes and traumas of course!)

Don't fall for the poorpitifulmenothingoworksexceptpushingDilaudidreallyfast act.

Don't assume your coworkers are cold and callous when they don't take certain people at face value (had a student that thought we were just horrible when a loud and inebriated young woman kept asking for rehab and none of us were impressed. Until we sent the pt. to rehab, only to have her show up in exactly the same state the next night).

Welcome to the whacky and wild world of whoop it up emergency nurses!

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

What Jbudd said!

Also, don't be that new hire who says "yeah I've already seen it all/done it all". It takes a while to earn your wings and no one will judge you for being new. If anything they are thinking "thank GOD!! Extra hands!! I hope she stays through orientation!"

[BellionRN]

Yes ask lots of questions! Listen to what the nurse doing your orientation has to say as well as the other nurses. I find it's easy to figure out who you jive with and who you won't pretty quickly. Try to observe traumas/codes while still on orientation so that you can see the team dynamic. Don't be afraid to ask your coworkers if they need help. Don't be insulted if they say no or seem suspicious of you ... Working in critical care and emerge and being new can be difficult because we need some time to put our trust in you as our coworker!

Our ED is usually very good at choosing nurse who enjoy doing orientations so I wouldn't worry too much about that ... Managers hope you'll stay so I think they put thought into who you're paired with!

I think you'll be fine, and having a yr of experience will serve you well!

Good luck, I hope it's what you're expecting!

[AZQuik]

I've found becoming part of the team the most important aspect of my orientation. I jump at every chance someone asks if I've seen or done X. I'm honest about my skills and comfort level, and get my hands dirty at every chance. I jump at the opportunity to help do the nasty stuff nobody wants to do. Need a cdiff pt rolled and cleaned? I'm your man. Need pee cleaned up? I'm on it. Eventually it's, get in this code and do compressions! Etc. ED has moments where team work is vital. Be ready to go for anything with a moments notice, stay humble, and listen to what people say, even if you already know it. Remember, it's your job to fit in there, not vice versa.

Gluck!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Congratulations! How were you so lucky?