How to Become an Emergency Room Nurse

A nurse records patient histories, administers medication, sets up patient care plans and performs other duties relating to the day-to-day care of patients. An emergency room (ER) nurse must be able to deal with life-threatening problems in a variety of fast-paced environments including emergency rooms, ambulances, helicopters and sports arenas.

Career Growth

Skilled nurses are in high demand; the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the profession as a whole is expected to grow 16 percent by 2024, much faster than average. As the U.S. population ages and more people gain access to health insurance, people who previously might not have gone to an emergency room for an injury or illness may do so, further increasing the need for skilled nurses in emergency room settings.

Generally speaking, a nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing will have a competitive advantage in the job market.

Salary Potential

The median annual wage for registered nurses (RNs) is $67,490, with the lowest 10 percent of nurses making less than $46,360 and the highest 10 percent making more than $101,630. Nurses employed in hospital settings, such as emergency rooms, tend to earn slightly more with a median annual salary of $69,510.

Education Required

Nurses must have state licensure in order to practice; this requires graduation from an approved nursing program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination. Nurses with a bachelor’s degree tend to have better career prospects and higher pay.

An ER nurse should cultivate critical thinking and communication skills, emotional intelligence and resilience, attention to detail, good organizational skills and physical stamina. ER nurses sometimes also become certified in specific areas.

Online RN to BS Program from Rivier University

Rivier University’s RN to BSN online degree provides students with skills and knowledge essential to pursuing opportunities in a variety of specialty areas. The program takes place in a convenient and flexible online learning environment that accommodates students’ personal and work schedules.