ER Nurses are the ones who see it all. They’re the ones who are there when you need them most. They’re the ones who know your family better than you do.

But what exactly is an ER nursing? What do they do? And why should you care?

In this article, we’ll be answering those questions and more.

We’ll explore what kind of stuff goes on in an emergency room, why an ER nurse might be your best friend (or nastiest enemy), and how to get started as an ER nurse yourself!

What is ER Nursing?

Emergency room nursing is a challenging and rewarding career. It’s also one of the most critical careers in healthcare, as emergency rooms are often the first point of contact for people who need medical care.

In an emergency room, nurses help patients with everything from minor cuts and scrapes to life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

The job requires an exceptional amount of skill, dedication, and compassion — qualities that define an emergency room nurse.

Moreover, emergency room nurses are responsible for the care of people who come into the hospital through the emergency room. They can work in a variety of specialties within the emergency department, including pediatrics, trauma, or critical care.

What does an ER nurse do?

ER nurses are a special kind of nurse. The role involves working in high-pressure situations and dealing with people who are often in very bad shape. This can be emotionally draining, but it also means you’re helping people when they need it most.

There are three main areas that ER nurses work in:

Patient care: ER nurses assess and treat patients who come into the department, as well as those who have been referred from other departments or wards.

They can deal with anything from minor injuries and illnesses to major traumas like gunshot wounds or heart attacks. Or they may also deal with psychiatric patients and those experiencing drug overdoses or alcohol withdrawal problems.

Supporting colleagues: ER nurses help out with paperwork and support staff members who are under pressure or stressed out by difficult situations.

They may also give refresher training sessions to new recruits and train specialists like paramedics on how to treat certain conditions in the emergency room setting.

Research and development: As well as caring for patients, some ER nurses take part in research projects aimed at improving patient care or reducing errors in treatment protocols (see Why Do Nurses Work So Hard?).

ER nurse responsibilities

The average ER nurse is a patient advocate, diagnostician, and crisis manager; all rolled into one.

ER nurses are responsible for providing direct patient care, which includes assessing the patient’s condition, identifying and treating injuries or illnesses, and referring patients to other medical professionals when necessary.

These nurses also monitor cardiac rhythms, administer medications and start IVs as needed. In addition to providing direct patient care,

ER nurses may be called upon to educate patients about their illnesses and treatments, explain billing procedures, and coordinate care with other medical professionals.

Responsibilities vary depending on the size of the hospital and its staffing needs at any given time. Large hospitals may have multiple emergency departments spread across several floors or wings; smaller facilities may have just one or two rooms where patients are seen.

Regardless, most ER nurses have similar responsibilities regardless of where they work:

• Monitoring heart rhythms via electrocardiograms (EKGs).
• Administering intravenous fluids.
• Starting intravenous lines (IVs) when needed.
• Escorting patients to CT scanners for diagnostic imaging exams.
• Assessing patient symptoms and vital signs.
• Providing emotional support.
• Documenting patients’ conditions and treatments.

ER Nurse Salary

The average salary for an emergency room nurse is $93,405 per year or $45 per hour. Most nurses start out at the bottom of the pay scale and work their way up as they gain experience and education.

The highest-earning ER nurses, who are referred to as “charge nurses,” earn about $124,500 annually.

ER Nurse Salaries by Level of Experience

The following table shows how much ER nurses make based on their level of experience:

How to Become an ER Nurse?

ER nursing is a rewarding career choice. You’ll be on the front lines of some of life’s most difficult situations, but you’ll also have the chance to save lives and make a huge difference in people’s lives.

To help you along your way, here are four steps you can take to become an ER nurse:

1. Get Your Degree

The first step to becoming an ER nurse is getting your degree. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, but many hospitals require you to have at least an associate’s degree before applying for the position.

2. Pass Your Licensure Exam

Once you have completed your education and received your license, you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to practice as an ER nurse. This is a national test that assesses knowledge of fundamental nursing skills, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and more.

3. Gain Experience

The best way to become a registered nurse is to gain experience in the field. You can do this by volunteering at a local hospital or clinic, becoming an EMT, and/or doing clinical rotations through your nursing program. The more practice you get, the better you’ll be at taking care of patients.

4. Get Certified

There are many certifications available for nurses, including Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) certification and the American Heart Association certification. You can also earn certifications through your hospital or employer if they offer them.

Having one or more of these certifications will make it easier to find employment as an ER nurse because they show that you have additional training beyond what is required by law or by your employer’s guidelines.

Types of Certifications

ER nurses can pursue a variety of certifications. The following are some of the most common ones:

• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN).
• Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN).
• Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN).
• Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).

What is the Career Outlook for an ER Nursing?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the number of emergency room nurses will grow by 7%. This growth rate is much faster than average and especially high compared to other medical professionals.

There are many reasons for this rapid expansion. One reason is that an increasing number of people are visiting the ER for minor emergencies, such as sore throats or earaches. These patients can be treated by a family doctor or urgent care clinic and don’t need to be admitted to the hospital.

However, this means that more patients require treatment in the ER while they wait for their doctors’ appointments or return visits.

Another reason why there’s increased demand for er nursing is that hospitals are shifting towards outpatient care rather than inpatient care.

This means that fewer patients require admission into the hospital, but still require monitoring and treatment during their stay at the facility.

ER Nursing Skills List

A lot of people think that an emergency room nurse only has to do CPR and treat injuries. This couldn’t be further from the truth. ER nurses are highly trained professionals who have a wide array of skills and knowledge.

These skills and knowledge help them to save lives, treat patients with various types of injuries, illnesses, or traumas, and deal with many other situations that arise in the emergency department.

The ER nursing skills set includes the following:

1. Patient assessment skills: The ability to evaluate a patient’s condition, including physical and mental status, as well as vital signs such as pulse and blood pressure.

2. Treatment skills: The ability to administer medications and fluids to treat symptoms such as pain, nausea, and vomiting, shortness of breath, or muscle spasms.

3. Medical device management: The ability to use medical devices such as IV pumps, ventilators, or ECG monitors safely and effectively.

4. Communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively with other health care professionals in order to provide optimal patient care.

5. Safety skills: The ability to prevent injuries by using safe practices while performing procedures such as CPR or drawing blood from an IV line.

Rewards and Benefits of Emergency Room Nursing

ER nursing is a fast-paced, stressful job. When you add in the pressure of dealing with life-or-death situations, it’s no wonder that many nurses who work in emergency rooms feel overwhelmed. But they also enjoy the rewards and benefits of this challenging career.

The following are some of the benefits you’ll receive as an emergency room nurse:

1. Opportunities for Advancement

You’ll have opportunities for advancement and specialization. Emergency room nurses may advance to supervisory roles, become nurse practitioners, or pursue master’s degrees in nursing or other fields.Some emergency room nurses work with patients on long-term physical therapy programs after leaving the hospital, helping improve their quality of life and mobility.

2. Flexible Schedules

You’ll have flexible schedules and time off between shifts.

Most hospitals allow emergency room nurses to schedule their shifts around their personal needs and preferences — including days off between shifts — which makes it easier for them to balance work and home life.

3. You’ll Be Able To Save Lives

You can make a difference in someone’s life. Every day, you’ll have the opportunity to help people who are suffering from serious injuries and illnesses. You’ll be able to comfort them and provide them with whatever they need to feel better. This is a great way to give back to your community.

4. Variety

You never know what’s going to happen next when you’re working in an emergency room! From minor cuts and bruises to major accidents and burns, there’s always something new happening at any given time.

It can be challenging at times, but it’s also exciting to be able to handle any situation that comes your way without having to wait on someone else.

Wrapping It Up!

So there you have it. What is ER nursing?

It’s a lot more than just running around with a tray of pills.

It’s the thrill of being a part of the very first team that takes care of patients in their moment of crisis, and it’s knowing that you’re going to be on call for the rest of your life—whether you’re working in an emergency room or not.

If you’re ready to start your new career as an ER nurse, we hope this article has helped you understand what it’s like to work in this fast-paced, challenging environment. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us!

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