Nurses specialize in a number of different areas of health care – pediatric nursing, surgical, physicians’ offices and emergency nursing, among them. Do we really need nurses to be trained in emergency medicine?
Think about it. Accidents and emergencies happen. Emergency nurses treat patients in situations in which they’re experiencing trauma or injury. When/If you’re the victim of an emergency situation, wouldn’t you feel more comfortable knowing the nurses caring for you are skilled in the treatments and procedures you’ll require?
Emergency nurses can work in a variety of environments…from hospital emergency rooms to ambulances, and helicopters to sports arenas, and more. They are trained to quickly recognize life-threatening problems and how to address them so patients receive quality care.
In order to become an ER nurse, candidates must complete an accredited associate’s or bachelor’s degree nursing program and become licensed by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. But, they’re not ready for ER work just yet. First, they must have passed classes in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, nutrition and behavioral science. Then, they must demonstrate the skills to function in stressful emergency settings by gaining supervised clinical experience.
Once accepted into an emergency position, they’ll find themselves talking with patients to gather all necessary information about their injuries; prepping exam rooms to accept new patients; following doctors’ treatment orders; and possibly performing certain medical procedures, such as giving injections and performing CPR. In some case, emergency nurses may be asked to collect lab tests for diagnosing patient conditions or moving patients from one place to another.
ER nurses also may fill administrative roles, which include handling charts, records and paperwork, or supervising other nurses. It can be a chaotic, fast-pace environment…but, also very rewarding. As a registered nurse, in emergency rooms or elsewhere, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes RNs earn a very decent salary and forecasts the healthcare industry will need, on average, nearly 44,000 new nurses each year through 2026.
It takes a special kind of person to be a nurse – especially in an ER. If you’re one of those special people, Fortis Colleges and Institutes are part of one of the nation’s largest nursing education and training networks. Fortis schools can provide the education and skills to help you excel in the profession. To learn more about Fortis nursing options and the campuses nearest to you offering nursing programs, visit our nursing program page.
Then, when an emergency happens, you may find yourself on the front lines of life-saving healthcare.
