Registered nurses who work in hospital emergency rooms or urgent-care facilities care for patients with serious, sometimes life-threatening, injuries or illnesses. They work under the direct supervision of physicians to assess, diagnose and treat emergency patients. All RNs are qualified to work in emergency room settings, but nurses may take additional formal coursework leading to a certificate in emergency department nursing. RNs may also earn credentials as a Certified Emergency Nurse by passing the appropriate certifying examination.
Three primary educational paths prepare a candidate for a career as a registered nurse. Candidates may complete a two-year associate degree in nursing program at a community college, a three-year diploma program from a teaching hospital, or a four-year bachelor of science in nursing degree program from a traditional college or university. Each path includes classroom studies, laboratory work and clinical experience in a health-care environment. All registered nurses, including emergency room RNs, must complete an approved course of instruction prior to qualifying for licensing.
Examination and Licensing
RN candidates must be licensed by the state board of nursing in each state where they wish to practice. Requirements for licensing vary from state to state, but all 50 states and the District of Columbia require candidates to sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination -- Registered Nurse. Candidates who are licensed by the state board of nursing to practice are qualified to work in emergency room settings.
Registered nurses who can demonstrate specialized knowledge in emergency room nursing care might wish to become certified in the field. Although typically not required for employment in hospital emergency rooms, certification provides formal recognition of the RN's experience, skill and specialized knowledge in emergency room nursing. The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing is the independent credentialing organization that provides testing for emergency room nurses. The board does not require a specific level of education or experience beyond holding an unrestricted registered nurse license, but it does recommend candidates for testing have at least two years' experience working in emergency room environments.
Registered nursing is the largest occupation in the health-care industry, which is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. There were more than 2.7 million jobs for RNs as of May 2011, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth of 26 percent between 2010 and 2020. With a median annual income of $65,950 the average registered nurse earns more than 150 percent of the national average of $41,673 as reported by the Social Security Administration.
- Social Security Administration: National Average Wage Index
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Job Outlook
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011 29-1111 Registered Nurses*
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: What Registered Nurses Do
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Registered Nurse
- Education Portal: Certified Emergency Room Nurse Education Requirements
- UC San Diego: Emergency Department Nursing Certificate
- Board of Certification for Emergency Nurses: FAQ
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