Discover ER nursing – an essential part of urgent healthcare. ER nurses play key roles in critical moments and various medical emergencies. This guide explores their vital responsibilities, qualifications, and career paths in detail.
Emergency Room nurses, also known as ER nurses, trauma nurses, or critical care nurses, play a crucial role in providing immediate care to patients in the emergency department. Their primary responsibility is to stabilize patients before transferring them to specialized units or discharging them if they are medically stable. ER nurses encounter patients of all ages and backgrounds, who seek care for trauma, injuries, or acute-onset symptoms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were approximately 131 million emergency room visits in the United States in 2020. Out of these visits, 18.6 million patients were admitted to the hospital, while an additional 3.1 million were admitted to critical care units following their emergency room visit. ER nurses are responsible for triaging, treating, and stabilizing these patients, often working alongside a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals.
Summary of Steps
01
Start by earning either an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program.
02
After completing your nursing program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
03
Meet state requirements to become a registered nurse (RN) after earning your degree and passing the NCLEX-RN.
04
While it is possible to enter the ER directly after nursing school, some hospitals prefer ER nurses to have prior experience in bedside nursing.
05
Although not mandatory, obtaining advanced certification can enhance your skills and career prospects as an ER nurse.
Emergency nursing is an area of specialization for RNs, which means that all emergency room nurses are registered nurses and many become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). According to the most recent data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earned an average annual salary of $89,010 – the equivalent of $42.80 per hour.
State | Hourly Wage | Monthly Wage | Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|
Hawaii | $61.59 | $10,675 | $128,101 |
Massachusetts | $60.02 | $10,403 | $124,846 |
Nevada | $59.96 | $10,393 | $124,719 |
Rhode Island | $58.63 | $10,161 | $121,942 |
Oregon | $58.30 | $10,105 | $121,264 |
Alaska | $57.79 | $10,016 | $120,196 |
North Dakota | $56.90 | $9,862 | $118,345 |
Washington | $56.34 | $9,764 | $117,179 |
New York | $55.30 | $9,585 | $115,030 |
Maryland | $54.29 | $9,411 | $112,933 |
ER nurses specialize in providing immediate care to patients in critical conditions in the emergency department. They handle a wide range of medical emergencies, often in fast-paced, high-stress environments. On the other hand, OR nurses work specifically in surgical settings, assisting surgeons during operations. They focus on preparing the operating room, ensuring sterility, and providing support before, during, and after surgical procedures.