Starting new job in ER--HELP!

[Jocklene]

I just graduated in May with a BSN and have been hired as an ER nurse in a local hospital. I will start in a few weeks and I am SCARED to death! Any advice for the naive new nurse???? HELPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MICU-RN]

Originally Posted by Jocklene

I just graduated in May with a BSN and have been hired as an ER nurse in a local hospital. I will start in a few weeks and I am SCARED to death! Any advice for the naive new nurse???? HELPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Jocklene.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Keep abreast of information through journals, internet, books, and others. You are not expected to know it all so don't beat yourself up. Find a mentor in either your preceptor or another nurse. Remember the learning is just begining and it never stops.

[Jocklene]

Thanks! I love ANY advice. I'm excited and NERVOUS! Thanx!

[Texasunionguy]

Plus know your rights and what your states Nurse to patient ratios are. Protect your patients and your self

[ERMonkey]

I started as a new grad in the ED and my biggest piece of advice is that your mentor / person to go to for questions without being judged may not be your preceptor and that is ok.

[danielle9552]

How does one know where they will be comfortable being a nurse. I've only really had experience on the Med/Surg floors, with OB and advanced Med/Surg coming shortly. I really don't know where I should begin. Would it be better to work for awhile before obtaining any types of certifications or should I jump right into them??? Help from anyone would be helpful!!! Thanks!!!

[ERMonkey]

I worked as a tech/PCA/CNA (pick nurse's aid abbreiation) per diem in a hospital float pool while attending nursing school. This meant that I got to see everyfloor, all the ICU's, the ED, and psych wards. I knew I felt most comfortable in the ED after that because it is where I wanted to be in the hopital, its stuff I wanted to learn, and it was at my pace.

[tigerrn06]

I was a new grad when I started in the ED... (I was an ED tech, and did my externship and practicum there though)...My advice, take ACLS, PALS, and TNCC as quickly as you hospital will allow you to. The worst that happens is you don't pass and have to take it again...but these classes will help you with skill, drugs, and thought process not taught/ emphicied in nursing school that you will need. TNCC will help you start thinking about er/trauma nusing instead of general nursing. Classes can't replace experence but it can help you identify what you don't know and help you get the best gudance for your needs during orientation

[AJJRN]

If you need help ask for it! I would much rather work with someone who asks for help than someone who doesn't and doesn't know what to do! I was very fortunate to work with a nurse who was great, I started out "green" and she was there to help and now after 11 years I still love working with her.

Good luck!!