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Key Takeaways
- RNs are in demand, with strong growth projected from 2022–32.
- ER nurses need an associate or bachelor’s degree, RN licensure and training.
- Emergency nurses can work in hospitals, airports, college campuses and sports facilities.
- Multiple certification options exist to demonstrate competency in emergency medical situations.
The adrenaline and pressure of working as a nurse in an emergency room (ER) cannot be understated. In emergency situations, a nurse can mean the difference between life and death.
Whether it’s catching mistakes or administering CPR, a nurse’s attention to detail allows patients to thrive. And who can deny the importance of a nurse’s soft touch in humanizing a hospital’s septic atmosphere?
If the fast-paced environment of an ER seems like the ideal space for your calling as a nurse, read on to learn how to become an emergency room nurse, including required skills, degrees and certificates.
What Is an Emergency Room Nurse?
An emergency room nurse works in an emergency health setting such as a hospital or military base ER. These nurses must work with precision, urgency and care under stressful conditions.
Nurses work alongside a team, which may include radiologists, doctors, psychiatrists, emergency medical technicians and administrative assistants. The care team works in conjunction to triage patients, determine urgency and identify what care is needed.
Responsibilities and Challenges
Nurses and doctors can’t predict what will send someone to an ER, so they need to be ready for anything: heart attacks, car accidents, mass shootings, earthquakes or even shark bites. Nurses and doctors must stay calm and focused amid an endless list of unknowns.
Nurses must multitask by attending to vitals such as body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate and blood pressure. At the same time, they need to assess unique ER variables such as open wounds, a patient’s consciousness or their ability to communicate.
Workplace Variety
Emergency room nurses traditionally work in a hospital’s ER. However, they can also work in emergency healthcare settings in military bases, college campuses, cruise ships, airports, or sports facilities. They may also contribute to disaster response teams and operate in makeshift camps set up by the Red Cross or a government agency.
Employment Opportunities
Traditionally, ERs hired nurses with years of experience working in fast-paced settings. However, due to a national shortage, many ERs now hire skilled nurses who are fresh out of college but have sufficient clinical experience.
Still, employers prefer nurses with bachelor’s degrees and ER internship experience.
Other Job Opportunities
As nurses gain experience in emergency healthcare settings, they develop valuable skills that make them ideal candidates for supervisory positions, teaching jobs and advanced nursing roles.
When an emergency room nurse combines their licenses, certificates and experience with an advanced degree, they qualify for higher-profile jobs. Options include:
- Nurse manager
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
- Director of nursing
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNP)
- Healthcare company consultant
Steps To Become an Emergency Room Nurse
Emergency room nurse requirements include an accredited degree and active nursing license. Many nurses opt to earn focused certifications or certificates.
Earn a Degree
To become a registered nurse (RN), you must earn either an associate degree in nursing (A.D.N.) or a Bachelor of Science in nursing (B.S.N.). To choose between an A.D.N. or B.S.N., consider your budget, career goals and how quickly you’d like to start working.
Make sure to enroll in an accredited or state board-approved program. Many institutions offer similar nursing curriculums, so look for a college that meets your needs and allows you to graduate with as little debt as possible.
Gain Experience
Gaining clinical experience makes you a more competitive candidate. Depending on your nursing program, you can earn work experience through clinicals, practicums, internships or externships. These situations help you connect the dots between what you learn in class and what you need to do in a real-world healthcare setting.
Obtain a License
To earn RN licensure, you must pass the NCLEX, or National Council Licensure Examination. Check your state’s guidelines to confirm when you’re eligible to take the NCLEX and whether you need to meet additional requirements.
Land a Job
Nurses are in demand. The field is experiencing a double whammy: As the U.S. population ages and requires more healthcare services, older nurses are entering retirement age, too. This demographic shift promises to make nursing an in-demand skill over the next decade.
As you start your job search, look to professional organizations for guidance. The American Nursing Association offers tips on preparing for job interviews, while the National League for Nursing provides career advice.
Earn Certificates and Certifications
If you want to excel as an ER nurse and improve your chances of being promoted, consider earning a specialized nursing certification or certificate. You can earn these distinctions through professional organizations or accredited colleges. Read more about your options in a later section.
Emergency Room Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
Registered nurses reported a median annual salary of $81,220 in May 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS predicts a 6% employment growth rate for registered nurses between 2022 and 2032, double the national average growth rate of 3%.
Certificates and Certifications for Emergency Room Nurses
Below, we outline several professional development opportunities that help ER nurses advance their skills and demonstrate their clinical competency.
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) offers the CEN distinction to RNs with an active license. BCEN recommends two years of specialty experience before applying. To earn this distinction, applicants must pass an exam covering professional conduct and various emergency situations, such as cardiovascular, neurological, wound and mental health emergencies.
To maintain the CEN, nurses must fulfill 100 hours of continuing education every four years. The initial exam costs $380, or $285 for members of the Emergency Nurses Association.
Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) facilitates the ENP certification. The certification is open to family nurse practitioners (FNPs). FNPs have three options for eligibility: complete an emergency fellowship program, complete a graduate or postgraduate emergency NP program, or earn sufficient experience and continuing education hours.
The 150-question exam covers emergency procedures, techniques and knowledge areas. The online application costs $240 for members and $315 for nonmembers. Certification is valid for five years.
Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
RNs can earn a TNCC certificate in one to two days. ENA University, part of the Emergency Nurses Association, offers in-person or virtual instruction with interactive exercises and group discussions. Pre-course learning materials allow students to prepare at their own pace.
Qualified nurses teach this course, which explores the trauma nursing process, injury assessment and LBGTQ+ care. The certificate can cost between $300 and $400 and lasts for four years.
Basic Life Support (BLS)
BLS training prepares individuals to perform CPR and basic life-saving skills. While anyone can benefit from this training, it’s generally required for RNs and other healthcare providers. RNs can complete their BLS certificate in four to six hours. The certificate typically costs between $50 and $150, depending on the test provider.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Healthcare providers can build on their BLS training by completing an ACLS course, which covers cardiovascular emergencies. Topics include cardiac arrest, per-arrest conditions, strokes, airway management and pharmacology.
ACLS training generally lasts 12 to 16 hours and costs between $100 and $200, depending on the provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming an Emergency Room Nurse
Is it hard to be an ER nurse?
Yes. Being any kind of nurse is hard work—physically, mentally and emotionally. But many nurses feel rewarded in their effort to save and improve patients’ lives.
What is the difference between an RN and an emergency nurse?
A registered nurse (RN) works in various medical settings, such as family doctor offices, university health clinics and intensive care units. With certification and training, RNs can work in ER facility settings as emergency nurses.
What is the highest-paid ER nurse?
Nursing salaries depend on various factors such as work experience, geographic location and union status. However, due to their advanced education and license, nurse practitioners (NPs) typically make the most money. NPs who work in general medical and surgical hospitals earn an annual mean wage of $129,330, the BLS reports.
What is the best certification for ER nurses?
RNs have a few ER certification options. The BCEN facilitates the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) title, which covers best practices in emergency situations.
Is ER or ICU nursing harder?
Both work sites are stressful. Working as a nurse in an ER and an ICU requires patience, attention to detail and proficiency in life-saving skills. The ER involves fast-paced, unexpected situations; it’s impossible to predict what emergency has precipitated someone’s arrival. While ER patients may eventually be transferred to the ICU, the ICU team has more information about their condition and health status.