What does an ER Nurse do?
ER nurses work in hospital emergency rooms and urgent care clinics to address patient needs and perform emergency procedures. They assist Doctors during procedures and monitor patient vital signs to ensure they are able to handle different types of treatment. Some of the duties they might perform include cleaning and dressing wounds, inserting intravenous lines, drawing blood and administering medications. Nurses also help communicate with patients about their treatment plan and talk to them after a procedure to discuss the recovery process. They attend to the general health and hygiene of patients who are admitted to the emergency room by changing bed pans, feeding patients and helping them bathe.
ER Nurse skills and qualifications
ER Nurses need an extensive set of hard skills, soft skills and qualifications, including:
- Expert knowledge of emergency medicine
- Active RN license
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under pressure
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Exceptional multitasking and time-management skills
- Ability to work closely with a team and patients
- Willingness to continually learn the latest advancements in emergency medicine
- Ability to place intravenous lines, set bones and perform other emergency medical tasks quickly and efficiently
- Excellent interpersonal skills
ER Nurse salary expectations
An ER Nurse makes an average of $68,774 per year. Salary may depend on level of experience, education and the geographical location.
ER Nurse salary expectations
-
Common salary:
2087.77 WEEKLY -
Typical salaries range from
1000.00 -3500.00 WEEKLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
ER Nurse education and training requirements
ER Nurses need to be Registered Nurses. To become a Registered Nurse, candidates need to complete an associate or bachelor’s program in nursing. These programs give a mix of practical instruction and clinical experience. After earning a degree, candidates need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination- Registered Nurse. ER nurses undergo training through clinical experience in their nursing programs in addition to training as basic Registered Nurses. In addition to training, an ER Nurse needs an ER certification from a licensing body.
ER Nurse experience requirements
ER Nurses should have at least three years of experience as a Registered Nurse before pursuing this position. This experience allows them to get comfortable with the position before moving into an emergency setting. ER Nurses working in a large hospital or leading others should have at least five years of experience in order to effectively manage others.
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