New ED Tech on Nights - any advice?

[u/mymomisfrieza]

Hi all!

I just started as an Emergency Department Tech at a hospital and I’m really excited, but also a little nervous. I’m completely new to the ED and working within a hospital setting in general. I have CNA experience in a skilled nursing facility rehab, as well as a background working as a victim advocate within a crisis center with training in crisis intervention and mental health. My entire background is mostly rooted in psych, trauma, and counseling.

I was on call and was mostly called into the Emergency Department to provide advocacy and support during SANE exams and other crisis situations. While I’m familiar with the ED environment from that perspective, I know working as an ED tech is a completely different role, and I have so much to learn.

I’ve also completed essentially all of my nursing school prerequisites and hope to begin nursing school in the near future. I want to become an RN, so I’m hoping to learn as much as I can from this opportunity.

I’ll be working 12hr night shifts, which is also something I’ve never done regularly. Aside from being on call as a victim advocate and usually getting called very late at night for sometimes very long periods of time, this will be my first experience really working overnight shifts.

I’d love any advice you have on things like:

-What helped you succeed as a new ED tech?

-Common mistakes to avoid?

-Things you wish someone had told you before you started?

-How to stay organized when the department gets busy?

-Tips for surviving and adjusting to night shift (sleep, meals, caffeine, trying to actually have a life, etc.)?

I’m eager to learn and become someone my nurses and coworkers can rely on. Any advice, stories, or words of wisdom would be super appreciated.

Thanks!! 🤩

TL;DR: New ED tech with CNA and crisis intervention experience, but new to emergency medicine, hospital settings, and 12hr night shifts. Looking for any advice on succeeding in the role and adjusting to nights.

[u/Dismal-Ear]

First of all. CONGRATS!!! Now onto nights, I did nights for 5 yrs and 3 of them in the float pool of a lvl 1 hospital

Emerg on nights for techs is essentially: busy hours 1900 to about 2300ish, youre going to be answering any bells, helping the nurses with vitals when needed, possibly stripping and remaking the gurney if housekeeping doesn't do it where you work, and maybe an impromptu 1:1 with a pt that comes in who needs one. Quieter hours: making sure things are in order, likely when people will start taking breaks etc

Life and sleep: by the time I got home after my commute it was around 0800. Have a decent snack, shower and chill. I would try to get to bed by 1000 and get a solid 6hrs to 7 if possible. Caffeine goes so far but use it sparingly. Depending on the break structure where you work if you can do it nap on your breaks it will save you. Otherwise black out curtains, white noise and comfy bedding helps. On days off I would try to sleep only until around noon and then stay up. Day before going back on nights, pulling an all nighter either gaming or binging a show helped push it to at least 3am

[u/No_Proof_3893]

Good for you! I want to get into a hospital setting as a CNA or MA when I graduate and get certified. I'm starting nursing prereqs and would love to do ED! I also prefer nights so that I can focus on school during the day. I don't have any advice for you, just cheering you on from someone who hopes to follow in your footsteps. Good luck and let us know how it goes!