Description of an ER Nurse
ER nurses must be prepared to treat any injury or illness, because they never know what type of situation is going to enter the emergency room. They have to be able to respond to life-threatening conditions at a moment's notice. The members of an ER staff work as a team to treat the most critical patients first and do so as efficiently as possible.
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Job Duties
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The primary duty of an ER nurse is providing patient care. They can perform a wide variety of procedures, such as starting IVs, dressing wounds, giving medications and inserting catheters. RNs constantly assess the physical and mental states of their patients to determine how to care for them. This is done by visual inspection, taking vital signs and talking to the patient, if possible. Another important duty is educating patients about their conditions. Nurses also spend a significant amount of time documenting everything they've done.
Work Settings
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ER nurses are usually employed by hospitals and work in emergency departments or urgent care centers. They tend to work schedules that consist of 12-hour shifts and include some holidays and weekends. There is a constant threat of contracting or spreading infectious diseases in an ER setting, and measures must be taken to prevent this. Other settings where emergency nurses work include prisons, telephone triage, pre-hospital transport, cruise ships and the military.
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Personal Characteristics
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Working in an emergency room can be extremely stressful and fast-paced. ER nurses must be able to act quickly, think on their feet and remain calm in trauma situations. They need to be comfortable working with patients of any age or background. RNs in all specialties should have genuine compassion and empathy for their patients and good communication skills. Intelligence and eagerness to learn are essential for staying on top of medical advancements. To prevent burnout, ER nurses need to be proactive in managing their emotional health.
Education
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ER nurses must have either an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing. Upon graduation, they have to pass a state licensing exam to become RNs. It's common for hospitals to require at least a year of nursing experience before working in an ER, due to the difficulty of this specialty. There are opportunities to obtain additional certifications in specialty areas such as injury prevention and trauma, and this can enhance a nurse's job prospects. RNs with bachelor's degrees are more likely to be promoted to supervisory positions.
Salary
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According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs earned an average salary of $62,450 in 2008. The actual wages of an ER nurse can vary quite a bit based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience and level of education. Hospitals usually provide hourly wage differentials to nurses who work during undesirable hours.
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References
Resources
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