When someone wants to become an emergency room nurse, they often do so because they want to help patients and save lives. Emergency room nurses are integral members of important medical teams who assist patients experiencing traumatic injuries and sudden illnesses. These nurses may work in fast-paced and stressful environments, but they have one of the most rewarding careers available in the medical field.
Get a Formal Education
There are different academic options to become an emergency room nurse. Medical students need to either earn a two-year associate degree or four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing. There are also accelerated programs for working health care professionals to quickly learn the management skills and advanced nursing theories needed to succeed as emergency room nurses. These programs prepare graduates to excel in challenging health care environments as leaders and ethical decision makers. Students learn effective patient assessment, treatment and communication strategies. They also learn …show more content…
Most states require RNs to obtain certification in basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and trauma nursing core course (TNCC). Depending on the employer and scope of duties, emergency room nurses may be required to obtain pediatric advanced life support techniques (PALS) or certifications in phlebotomy and advanced cardiac monitoring. Many RNs seek voluntary certification in emergency room care by passing the Emergency Nurses Association’s (ENA) Certified Emergency Nurse exam or the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing’s (BCEN) Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) exam. These exams focus on the nursing skills required to handle a variety of emergency room situations, such as wound, respiratory, neurological and substance abuse