New grad emergency (ER) residencies
Emergency departments do hire new graduates, usually through a residency with an emergency track. The interview is where most applicants win or lose these spots, because it is built around how you set priorities when several patients need you at once.
What the first year looks like
- Emergency tracks usually add triage training, trauma basics and a longer orientation than a floor unit.
- Some departments start new nurses in a fast-track or observation area before the main department.
How to stand out
- Practise triage scenarios out loud: who you see first, what you check, who you call. Use an example from your own clinicals where you can.
- An emergency capstone helps, and so do certifications you already hold, such as BLS, ACLS or PALS.
- If you worked as an ER tech, EMT or scribe, say so near the top of your resume. Emergency managers value it.
If you do not get a spot
- Med-surg and telemetry residencies build the assessment and time management skills emergency managers look for when nurses transfer in later.
Keep reading
- When residency applications openMost rounds are open for about a week.
- Resume and interview tipsWhat to put first, and the questions to practise.
- RN pay by stateMedian and 25th percentile pay in every state.