Emergency nursing is a dynamic, fast-paced field that gives you the opportunity to treat a wide range of patients with an even wider range of illnesses, conditions and traumas. ER nurses have to be able to think on their feet, work well with their teammates and be ready for just about anything. ER nurses are highly trained in their specialty, and there are lots of certifications available. At a minimum, an ER nurse should be certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Other certifications include Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC), Mobile Intensive Care Nurse (MICN) and Neonatal Advanced Life …show more content…
Support (NALS).
The stress level in the emergency department can get high at times, but ER nurses have their own unique brand of humor that helps lighten the tension.
They also tend to be a close-knit group, offering each other a kind of support you just don't always see in other areas. ER folks take care of each other.
But before anyone can become an E.R. nurse they must first train in the Hospital as an RN. Registered nurses (RNs), regardless of specialty or work setting, perform basic duties that include treating patients, educating patients and the public about various medical conditions, and providing advice and emotional support to patients' family members. RNs record patients' medical histories and symptoms help to perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.
RNs teach patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury, including post-treatment home care needs, diet and exercise programs, and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. Some RNs also are trained to provide grief counseling to family members of critically ill patients. RNs work to promote general health by educating the public on various warning signs and symptoms of disease and where to go for help. RNs also might run general health screening or immunization clinics, blood drives, and public seminars on various
conditions.
RNs can specialize in one or more patient care specialties. The most common specialties can be divided into roughly four categoriesby work setting or type of treatment; disease, ailment, or condition; organ or body system type; or population. RNs may combine specialties from more than one areafor example, pediatric oncology or cardiac emergencydepending on personal interest and employer needs.
When I asked Kelly, "What can I do to better my chances of landing an ER internship?" She gave me this advice;
"Once you get an emergency nursing position, continue to take classes and fine-tune your skills. When opportunities to learn something new come along, take them. Don't be afraid to ask questions - there's a wealth of knowledge to be gained from colleagues, ED managers and emergency physicians on staff. Get involved in unit-based committees and activities as well as local, state and national ENA activities. Find a mentor to help you in your professional development in emergency nursing. Set a two-year goal to obtain your Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN®) or Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN®) credential. Be a mentor someone yourself! There's no better way to fully learn and understand a subject than to teach it to someone else. Keep yourself challenged and look for new professional growth opportunities."