Need Help to transition from out of hospital to ER. Advice?!?

[KelliMcDonaldRN]

I am desperately in need of some advice...

I have been a nurse for six years and have worked everywhere except the hospital. While in school I had an internship at a level 1 trauma center and my first job out of school was in an ER. That is where I had the most fun and satisfaction as a nurse. After trying many other things (long term care, corrections, school nursing, mental health, home health...) I keep coming back to the desire to go back to the ER. My resume however is not impressive and I can't get past the HR people who toss it aside.

Is there any hope for me? I have applied to many different hospitals for many different units thinking if I could just get my foot in the door I could work my way to the ER. But because of my unusual background no one will hire me. I have considered going back to be trained as an EMT then Paramedic... there is a program nearby for RN to EMT then RN to Paramedic. Would that help my chances at all or would that be a waste of time?

I'm still fairly young, I can't believe that my nursing career is at a dead end already. There has got to be SOMETHING I can do to get back in the ER. I would greatly appreciate any advice or ideas you may have. I am passionate about this (I have many ER nursing books) it's what I am determined to do whatever it takes!

Thank You!
Kelli

[amygarside]

I suggest that you can try the paramedic to RN course. It could not hurt to at least have a training so at least you have a fall back. I am sure that you will able to find a job that you would want. Just keep on trying and I wish you the best of luck.

[jayne1975]

I would suggest patience. Most ERs in my experience have a sort of cyclic turn-around for staff. It won't be helpful to you immediately, but I'm sure time will open up an opportunity for you. I know in my area, any nurse with experience is preferred to a new graduate for the ER, but the openings in the ER are dependent on the time of year, etc.
I would also suggest other certifications like the TNCC or CEN as most ERs, in my experience, look at those to be the best certifications an ER nurse can have as far as hiring and practice. I don't know anyone who's done the EMT or Paramedic that was already an RN, so I couldn't really tell you if that's something that would be a benefit other than the knowledge you'd get from the course itself. (The EMT is pretty basic info and should be an easy class for you at least...)
I'd talk to the management in the ER at the hospital where you want to work and ask them specifically what they look for in new hires. That way, you'd know what would benefit you most on a resume for that facility.

[KelliMcDonaldRN]

I have good news to report... I just accepted a job at an LTAC Hospital here! This should be a great opportunity and give me a lot of experience in critical care. After working here a few years I think I will have better options to choose from as far as getting into the ER. I think I am still going to do the RN to EMT and RN to Paramedic courses, granted this new job lets me take off every Wednesday.

Thanks for your input!

[amygarside]

Oh, good for you. I wish you well in your new job!

[scotttyna]

Wow that's really great . So how is new job and All the best for your job.

[jayne1975]

Unless you are planning to be a flight nurse or work in a level 1 trauma center, I do not understand why you would pay to take the EMT and/or Paramedic class. The EMT and Paramedic are both pre-hospital certifications and probably wouldn't influence a decision to hire vs not hire. You'd probably be better off with those credentials if you wanted to work as a first responder rather than a nurse (with the exception being flight nursing).

The Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) or the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) are the in-hospital certifications that most employers will look for in a hospital emergency room, and some facilities (including where I currently practice) will pay you at a higher rate if you have and maintain the CEN.

edit: Congrats on the job!

[KelliMcDonaldRN]

My understanding though is that you have to be an ER nurse before taking the CEN. Is that true?

[jayne1975]

My understanding though is that you have to be an ER nurse before taking the CEN. Is that true?

No, you don't have to have experience before taking the CEN. The Board recommends two years of ER experience, but it's not required.

http://www.bcencertifications.org/ce...es/CENFAQ.aspx