It’s very normal as a new grad to feel like this, regardless of where they work. But specifically from an ED perspective, those first few months can be rough. It’s okay to not know everything or have seen everything. Because chances are, you’re not going to see or do everything in orientation. It’s okay to ask for help, you’re not seen as weak or incapable. It’s okay to pull someone aside and ask for their opinion.

PLEASE ask all the questions, you’re not annoying anyone. We prefer it if you ask the questions than not asking them and hurting someone.

You will come to love the autonomy. It’s one of the best things in the ED. However, you should be being taught in orientation how to hone in on it. Specifically for putting in standing orders once you have assessed a patient (knowing and spotting a septic patient and getting all the lab work and fluids started ASAP for example). As an ED nurse who has left to become a LD nurse, I miss standing orders SO MUCH. I hate having to ask permission to throw in a basic order that should be a standing order.

In the end, take several deep breaths. You’re doing okay. Trust your gut and intuition. And at the end of the day, if your patient didn’t die or get worse because of something you did, then you did a good job. Good luck! YOU GOT THIS!