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The stress is high and the hours are long, but the rewards are huge. This is how you can land the job.More than 130 million people in the United States visited the emergency room last year, and—as with most health care jobs—the need for ER nurses continues to rise. Now, working as an emergency room nurse isn’t for everyone. More than 50% of nurses say they work shifts longer than 10 hours, and the ER is about as fast-paced and exhausting as any medical environment can be. And while it’s not exactly the drama circus of Grey’s Anatomy—and it’s definitely not the guessing game depicted on House—chaos can certainly be a core component of the work. From broken bones to serious burns, you’ll see it all as an ER nurse. On any given shift, you may have a packed waiting room full of nonstop action, but you’ll still need to make levelheaded decisions in the best interests of your patients. So, now you’re asking: Is there any upside to this job? Absolutely. First of all, registered nurse is one of the most in-demand job titles out there, and it’s projected to grow 16% in the 10-year span of 2014 and 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job also pays well—really well. The median salary for an emergency room nurse is at least $80,000 per year, according to Monster data. And for what it’s worth, ER nurses don’t just work in emergency rooms—they can work in ambulances, helicopters, emergency care centers, combat zones and sports arenas. ER nurse jobs are also available on a permanent basis or via travel assignments across the country. So if deskwork isn’t your thing—and adrenaline is—emergency room nursing is definitely for you. Luckily, there are loads of nursing jobs on Monster at a variety of venues. Ready to take the plunge into emergency room nursing? If so, this is what you’ll need. EducationEmergency room nurses first need to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing and then to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). After two years of working as an ER nurse, you can get certified through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. You could also get additional certifications in general emergency, helicopter nursing, pediatric emergency and ambulance nursing are additional certifications. SkillsEverything in an emergency room moves fast, so it’s crucial that nurses can act quickly and efficiently. Hospitals want to hire ER nurses who are quick learners, strong multitaskers and cool under pressure. Though these nurses should be ready for anything, they’re frequently asked to treat patients who have been in accidents, suffered from a stroke or heart attack, or gone into labor. But they also handle simpler jobs, like switching out bed sheets and checking patients’ vitals. To treat these issues, ER nurses should know how to start intravenous lines, transfuse blood, set bones and stitch wounds. They should also have extensive experience with and knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rescue breathing. Like other specialties, ER nurses are in charge of assessing patients before a doctor sees them. Since emergency nurses often work with patients in critical condition or who are experiencing a lot of pain, effective and compassionate communication with these patients and their families is crucial. ER nurses also need to communicate with nurses in other departments of the hospital, especially intensive care unit nurses, who often see the same patients. As a team, these nurses care for patients throughout their stay and explain precautions to take to avoid returning to the emergency room. StaminaAs an ER nurse, you’ll probably work three 12-hour shifts per week with the potential for overtime pay. And depending on where you work, you’ll could around 200 patients during any given shift. Also, you’ll be on your feet the whole time. It's worth it. After all, you won’t just make a living, you’ll save lives. There are many different specialties in nursing, ranging from special interests like labor and delivery to technical skills like surgical nursing. One exciting career choice for nurses is emergency room (ER) nursing. Learn more about how to become an ER nurse, what an ER nurse does and if this is the right career for you. There are multiple
pathways to becoming an emergency room nurse. Some common steps include: Pathways to Becoming an Emergency Room NurseThere is no one path to becoming a nurse, let alone an ER nurse. Those interested in this career can consider different degree programs, formats and certifications. While one way to pursue this career is to attend an online nursing program, there are many options, including:
Sponsored Online Nursing Programs Sponsored Earn a Master of Science in Nursing online from Simmons University.
Earn an MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University.
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing
Earn your MSN online from USC’s School of Social Work.
1 U.S. News & World Report, 2022 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s. Ranked in 2021. Sponsored Should I Become an Emergency Room Nurse?Though working as an ER nurse can be a highly rewarding career, it’s not for everyone. You may consider the following factors when deciding if this career is right for you. Roles and ResponsibilitiesAccording to the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), there are several ER nurse roles: trauma, code, triage, disaster response, flight, critical-care transport, pediatric ED, burn center, geriatric ED, military, and charge nurse. Each of these has specific roles that help specific populations of patients. In a typical day, an ER nurse might:
An ER nurse cares for patients with a variety of conditions and injuries. These patients may range from the pediatric to the geriatric. As a result, ER nurses need to have comprehensive training and be prepared for almost anything. SkillsER nurses have a specialized skill set that help them succeed in this challenging environment:
Emergency Room Nurse CertificationsIf you want to become an ER nurse, one option is certification. Earning your nursing certification helps to validate your knowledge and expertise. Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)BCEN offers five nursing certification programs. All require an unrestricted RN license and certifcation by exam every four years.
Information for these certifications and fees was updated as of June 2021. Be sure to check with the BCEN for the most up-to-date information. There are benefits to becoming BCEN certified. In fact, BCEN’s white paper, 5 Compelling reasons to Get (and Keep) Your Emergency Nursing Specialty Certification, found that 92% of supervisors agreed it is important to have professional, certified emergency department (ED) nurses in their facilities. BCEN offers practice exams to help you prepare for the certification exam. When you take your certification exam, you’ll receive your results moments after finishing. Emergency Room Nurse ResourcesThe Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) promotes excellence in emergency room nursing and is a valuable resource to ER nurses. Association members can access resources including practice and government relations information. The ENA also publishes multiple journals and magazines:
The ENA also offers evidence-based ER nursing education and resources on an array of topics. These resources include toolkits, books, posters and more. Many of the programs feature both lessons and exams, and some qualify as continuing education credits. In 2004, the ENA established the Academy of Emergency Nursing to honor nurses who have made significant contributions to the field, advance the profession of ER nursing, and provide visionary leadership. To date, more than 160 nurses have been inducted into the academy. Related Nursing CareersBesides ER nursing, there are many other types of nursing careers that can be fast-paced and exciting. Some of these include:
Sponsored Online Nursing Programs Sponsored Earn a Master of Science in Nursing online from Simmons University.
Earn an MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University.
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing
Earn your MSN online from USC’s School of Social Work.
1 U.S. News & World Report, 2022 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s. Ranked in 2021. Sponsored FAQsIf you’re just starting to explore the ER nursing field, you probably still have some questions about the roles and daily life of an ER nurse. We’ve answered some of the FAQs below. What is an emergency room nurse?An ER nurse works with patients who need immediate triage and treatment. ER nurses are registered nurses, but they may have received additional specialized training that allows them to fulfill the many responsibilities that come with working in the ER. What does an emergency room nurse do?ER nurses work in a fast-paced environment. Patients in the ER can be suffering from significant trauma, injury, or illness, and nurses need to be able to act quickly to evaluate, stabilize and treat patients who are in crisis. When a nurse isn’t triaging patients, they’ll perform other duties in the ER. Common tasks include updating electronic health records, preparing and stocking rooms, checking medical equipment, assisting with tests like blood draws and EKGs, and more. Where does an emergency room nurse work?Most ER nurses work in hospitals or medical clinics, but ER nurses can also work in urgent care facilities, on cruise ships, as flight nurses, and on search and rescue teams. Travel emergency nurses may work in a variety of settings. These nurses travel to emergency rooms with a need for nurses. Because the ER is a high-stress environment, it can have higher rates of burnout. Travel nurses can help by relieving staff and temporarily filling staffing vacancies. What’s the difference between an ER nurse vs. a trauma nurse?ER nurses and trauma nurses perform very similar work. The main difference is in the type of injuries and conditions they handle. ER nurses may be prepared for almost anything. Patients may come into the ER because of burns, stroke or heart attack signs, fainting or loss of consciousness, broken limbs, severe stomach pain, and more. A trauma center is often located in the ER and sees extreme cases where a patient’s survival is in jeopardy. Patients may come into the trauma center with gunshot or stab wounds, major burns, traumatic injuries from car accidents, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious conditions that require immediate triage and treatment. Information on this page was retrieved in January 2022. |