How to Become an Emergency Room (ER) Nurse
What is an ER Nurse?
An ER nurse works in emergency rooms (ERs) and urgent care facilities, providing immediate care for patients with various urgent health concerns. They are responsible for triage, managing critical situations, and ensuring patients receive appropriate care before transferring to other departments for continued treatment.
Key Traits of a Competent ER Nurse:
To excel as an ER nurse, one should have the ability to:
- Communicate effectively in stressful situations
- Stay calm and composed during crises
- Build patient trust quickly
- Think critically and act swiftly
What Does an ER Nurse Do?
An ER nurse’s duties are fast-paced and varied, including but not limited to:
- Swift triage and patient evaluation
- Taking reports from emergency medical services (EMS)
- Performing wound care, blood draws, and IV insertions
- Coordinating care and handling insurance documentation
- Collaborating with social services for post-discharge care
- Assisting in orthopedic procedures like setting fractures
- Administering medications and managing sedation
- Supporting sterile procedures, such as chest tube insertions
- Operating medical equipment (e.g., crash carts)
- Managing discharge plans and patient transportation
A Typical Day for an ER Nurse
Here’s a breakdown of a 12-hour shift for an ER nurse:
- 05:00 AM: Wake up and get ready for the day
- 06:45 AM: Attend pre-shift briefing about patient admissions, policies, and satisfaction scores
- 07:00 AM: Receive patient assignments, including chest pain, breathing issues, and a suspected stroke
- 09:00 AM: Initiate IV, draw blood, and prepare for CT scan for stroke patient
- 09:50 AM: Administer clot-dissolving medication after stroke diagnosis
- 12:00 PM: Transfer stroke patient to the Neuro ICU, discharge chest pain patient, prepare for pediatric fracture case
- 1:30 PM-3:00 PM: Treat a 50-year-old male experiencing sudden distress, assist with cath lab transfer
- 6:00 PM: Perform rounds, administer fluids, prepare patients for tests
- 7:00 PM: Hand off shift to night staff
Where Do ER Nurses Work?
ER nurses typically work in hospital emergency departments (EDs). Many hospitals, including large healthcare systems like HCA Healthcare and Ascension Health, provide emergency services, with some facilities offering standalone ERs for quick stabilization and transfer. Nurses in high-acuity settings may prefer larger hospitals for the breadth of cases they encounter.
Specialized Roles for ER Nurses
ER nurses can specialize in various patient populations or types of emergencies, such as:
- Burn Center ER Nurse: Specializes in the treatment of severe burn injuries.
- Flight Nurse: Provides emergency care in air ambulances.
- Pediatric ER Nurse: Cares for children with acute injuries or illnesses in the ER.
- Sexual Abuse Nurse Examiner (SANE): Specializes in the examination and care of sexual assault victims.
- Trauma Nurse: Works with patients who have sustained major trauma.
Steps to Become an ER Nurse in 3 Steps
- Earn a Nursing Degree
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): A two-year program, including prerequisites, leading to RN licensure.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A four-year degree offering a competitive edge in the job market.
- Accelerated Programs: For those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
- Pass the NCLEX Exam
After completing your nursing degree, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed registered nurse (RN). - Gain Relevant Experience
Experience in acute care settings is essential for pursuing ER nursing. Consider starting as a CNA or tech in the ER, working on an acute care floor, or shadowing ER nurses. Volunteering or working as a psych sitter can also be valuable in building experience.
Obtain Certifications
ER nurses can enhance their qualifications with certifications such as:
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) through BCEN
- Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC), an essential certification for trauma nurses
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), for those working with children in emergencies
Additional Requirements for ER Nurses
- Basic Life Support (BLS): CPR and cardiovascular support skills.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS): Focused on managing life-threatening cardiac situations.
- PALS: Required in facilities that treat pediatric emergencies.
Salary and Career Outlook
The demand for skilled ER nurses is expected to grow, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 6% increase in registered nursing jobs between 2021 and 2031. The average annual salary for an ER nurse is around $91,071. However, salaries can vary based on location, experience, and the complexity of the healthcare facility.
FAQs
- What is an ER nurse?
An ER nurse provides critical care for patients with urgent health issues, performing triage, administering treatments, and preparing patients for further care or discharge. - How long does it take to become an ER nurse?
Becoming an ER nurse typically takes 4-6 years, including the time it takes to earn a nursing degree and gain relevant experience. - What is the salary for ER nurses?
ER nurses earn an average salary of around $91,071, although this can vary depending on location and experience. - What’s the difference between ICU and ER nurses?
ICU nurses focus on long-term critical care, whereas ER nurses stabilize patients in immediate crisis and prepare them for further treatment or transfer.
Next Steps for Aspiring ER Nurses
Consider pursuing advanced nursing roles, such as becoming an Emergency Nurse Practitioner, for those interested in furthering their careers. The role of an ER nurse is dynamic, fast-paced, and essential to patient care. It requires resilience, quick thinking, and teamwork.
Explore job opportunities in emergency nursing and other specialties today at GoodWork.
