Emergency room nurses have a difficult job to perform which requires a prospective ER Nurse to be fully prepared for any and all situations that may arise in relation to a patient’s life. The opportunity to work as part of a medical team in assisting patients with traumatic injuries and illnesses can be highly rewarding. Preparing for a career as an emergency room nurse is not for everyone, but it’s certainly worth the effort.
How to Prepare for a Career as an Emergency Room Nurse
Emergency room nurses are required to work in fast-paced and often stressful environments. Many nursing professionals would acknowledge that these brave nurses have the most rewarding careers in the field. An emergency nurse will perform many skills in busy facilities in cities across the United States and around the world. Victims of crime, people who have accidents, or those who face dangerous circumstances can expect to receive help from emergency room nurses and staff to offer life saving procedures.
Work Environment
Working as an emergency room nurse can be emotionally charged. A person will be required to work long hours with long shifts and not expect to punch a clock to leave right on time. Emergency nurses must be able to assess patients quickly and accurately. The first step a person must take is to stabilize the patient and work to make sure the patient’s condition does not deteriorate. While trying to stabilize the patient, emergency room nurses often will be called upon to perform any number of medical procedures with confidence including:
- IV lines
- First aid
- Blood transfusions
- Rescue breathing
- CPR
- Intubation
- Suturing
- Setting broken bones
- Delivering babies
How to Become an Emergency Room Nurse
Once the decision is made to become an emergency room nurse, the steps that are necessary can include licensure with the nursing board (NCLEX-RN) and choosing to continue education for further advancement, which is up to each nurse’s career goals and educational needs. Available options for nursing education abound and include Master’s degrees and advanced practice nursing. A floating nurse can be in an emergency room or assist paramedics to gain valuable experience working in emergency and high intensity situations. To become certified, it takes two years of experience in emergency medical settings before sitting the Certified Emergency Nurses Examination, administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing.
If you have dreams of joining the highly respected ranks of emergency room nurses and want more information about how to get started in nursing school, contact the admissions officers at Felbry College and let us help you on your way to saving lives.