Emergency Room (ER) Nurse Jobs
An ER nurse is a registered nurse who works specifically in emergency room settings. They have to identify medical issues and determine their severity before launching into the appropriate treatment strategy. The ER nurse is one of the first responders when a patient comes to the emergency room.
Scope of practice
ER nurses perform a variety of standard nursing duties as well as specialized tasks to treat patients who have been admitted into the emergency room. Some of their duties include:
- Reviewing medical histories
- Triaging cases
- Stabilizing patients
- Creating and maintaining patient records
- Leading emergency response teams
- Carrying out treatment plans
- Using advanced equipment to monitor patients
- Starting IVs
- Setting broken bones
- Performing intubations
- Giving stitches
ER nurses also help with transferring patients to other units when the immediate danger has passed and they have stabilized.
Required education and training
To become an ER nurse, you need to be a registered nurse. The two most common paths towards becoming an RN are getting an associate degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and then passing the NCLEX.
These credentials allow you to earn your license and begin working as an RN. More employers are looking for RNs with BSN degrees, so investing your time in that path may be beneficial.
You’ll then have to work for about two years as an RN and obtain your Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) credentials from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). This certification demonstrates that you have the required level of expertise to be an ER nurse.
Travel ICU nurse salary and benefits
As an ER nurse, you can expect to make a similar, if slightly higher, salary than the average RN. Your salary can vary depending on your experience. Another factor that will impact your salary is the state in which you practice. Some, like Alabama and South Dakota, pay the lowest salaries, while California, Alaska, and Hawaii pay the highest.
When you find an ER nurse position through Prolink, you’ll gain access to our benefits package:
- Day-one 401(k) contributions and available match
- Extension and referral bonuses
- Medical coverage from day one
- Life insurance
- Short- and long-term disability
- Dental and vision insurance
Nationwide opportunities for ICU Travel jobs
Emergency room travel nursing combines the thrill of emergency medicine with the freedom to travel. Prolink helps healthcare professionals find premium ER travel nurse jobs and gives them great support with competitive pay.
Role and Professional Growth
ER travel nurses at Prolink play vital roles in healthcare settings of all types. They assess patients, step in during emergencies, and help stabilize people with many different medical conditions - from small injuries to life-threatening situations. The job needs quick thinking and expert triage skills, which makes it challenging yet rewarding.
Contact us today to learn more about our job opportunities for travel emergency room nurses.
ER nurse FAQs
Yes. You will need to become a registered nurse first, which means that you have to get either an associate degree (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and pass the NCLEX. Getting your ADN takes two years, while a BSN takes four. Keep in mind that most employers are now looking for RNs with BSNs.
Once you have your degree as an RN, you can get experience and certification to start working as an ER nurse.
Yes. ICU nurses care for patients who have life-threatening conditions and require around-the-clock monitoring. ER nurses stabilize patients who come in with acute medical issues and perform triage to quickly administer treatment to those who need it most. Once these patients are stabilized, some of them may be sent to the ICU for further care.
You get to work in a variety of locations and facilities, meeting all kinds of people. You can learn how to follow procedures in a different way than you’re used to, which allows you to build flexibility and resilience. You’ll also likely make a better salary than you would as a local nurse while getting the chance to help facilities fill staffing shortages.
Hospital emergency rooms are open 24/7, so ER nurses often work in 12-hour shifts. The ER is a fast-paced environment that experiences high-traffic times, like weekends and holidays. Depending on where they work, ER nurses can get overtime pay.
This schedule means that ER nurses are in constant movement, spending a lot of time on their feet and interacting with all manner of healthcare providers as they coordinate care.
Prolink helps healthcare professionals find premium ER travel nurse jobs and gives them great support with competitive pay.
Prolink stands out as a great choice for ER nurses looking for travel assignments. Their steadfast dedication to healthcare professional success and large network of healthcare facilities create the perfect setting for career growth in the ever-changing world of healthcare.
When you partner with Prolink, you receive an industry-leading benefits package:
- Day-one health insurance and 401(k)
- Dental and vision coverage
- Short- and long-term disability
- Life insurance
- Exclusive perks and discounts
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