Emergency RN Job Description

Registered nurses have a bachelor's degree and registered nursing certification. Some nurses have a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) certification, which is voluntary but reflects the nurse's additional training for emergency medicine. Emergency or trauma room nurses provide immediate care for patients in distress. Emergency nurses should have strong analytical skills, be able to multitask and cope with pressure.

Duties

• ER nurses provide immediate care--such as taking blood, inserting IVs and administering physician-directed tests or treatments--to ill and critically injured patients.

Function

• Registered nurses working at hospital emergency departments are also responsible for triage of patients. Triage involves assessing the patient's condition and assigning the level of priority for treatment.

Fun Fact

• While most emergency nurses work in hospital emergency departments, some also work in ambulances, medical helicopters and cruise ships.

Considerations

• Emergency room nurses might also be responsible for education and supervision for junior nurses. They might also conduct public safety classes on topics like domestic violence or car seat safety.

Compensation

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for an emergency RN is around $67,000, as of May 2010.