Basics of Emergency Medicine: a Chief Complaint-Based Guide, 5th ed.

You’ll feel lost in the ED until about the two year mark. Come three years, you’ll be able to handle anything that comes through the doors. You need time to learn. Give yourself some grace. To me, a dangerous nurse is the newer one who is over confident and doesn’t ask questions. So, bother me. Ask me questions. My face may say not to, but that’s just my face. It’s a face I’ve practiced making over the last 30 years. Pick up the following books. I give these to all my new grad nurses I precept. They will help you in your practice and anticipate work ups: Know this book. Memorized this book. This book is great for learning your EKG’s resource when the squiggles get complicated. If you want to deepen your knowledge, Tintinalli's is great. I listen to podcasts as well. Take TNCC and ENPC classes at the 6 month mark. Go ahead and get US IV certified. At the 9 month mark, go to triage class. Listen to your gut, ask questions, keep learning and you’ll be on your way to being a great ED RN in a couple years. Also, take no shit from patients, violence is not part of our job. File police reports.