How to Become an ER Nurse
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: stefanmer / iStock / Getty Images PlusEmergency nursing requires unique skills and traits, including critical thinking under pressure, remaining calm in emergencies, excellent communication, and endless compassion.
Learn about the necessary education and licensing to become an emergency room (ER) nurse and how to earn your ER nurse certification.
How Long to Become
2-4 years
Degree Required
ADN or BSN
Certification
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Is an ER Nurse?
ER nurses provide care in emergency departments in hospitals, health systems, and standalone ERs. They perform a wide variety of tasks and must acquire a broad skill set, including:
- Performing triage (rapidly assessing and prioritizing patients based on medical urgency)
- Taking vital signs and assisting with procedures
- Monitoring patients and collaborating with other members of the care team
- Administering medications and other treatments
- Responding to and treating medical emergencies
Working as an ER nurse is a rewarding field, but it can also be rather intense. Anxiety can be significant due to the fast pace of work, the acute nature of the care being provided, and the need to communicate effectively with overwhelmed patients and families. However, nurses who flourish in the ER setting have an opportunity to save lives and work closely with other healthcare professionals.
Emergency nursing also extends to jobs outside traditional healthcare settings too, including military medicine, disaster relief, and flight nursing.
Steps to Becoming an ER Nurse
You must earn an RN license before you can work as an ER nurse. This means attending nursing school and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Almost all hospitals require ER nurses to be certified in basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS). However, you can typically get those certifications on the job.
- 1
Earn an ADN or BSN Degree
To work as an ER nurse, you must first earn a nursing degree. The two most common program types are a two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. While the ADN can get your nursing career started faster, some hospitals may require or strongly prefer applicants with BSN degrees.
If you already have an ADN and want to pursue a bachelor’s degree, an RN-to-BSN program may be right for you. If you have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you can apply for an accelerated BSN program
- 2
Pass the NCLEX Exam to Receive RN Licensure
The NCLEX-RN examination is a multi-hour, multiple-choice examination covering all aspects of basic nursing. It is graded as pass or fail. NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates are a strong indicator of nursing school quality.
- 3
Gain Experience in Emergency Nursing
Once you graduate, you can apply for work in an ER. Historically, hospitals required years of experience in different departments before nurses were allowed to work in the ER. However, thanks to novel programs such as nurse residencies, new graduate nurses can start their careers in higher acuity areas such as the ER, intensive care unit, and operating room.
On-the-job training is critical for new nurses. Employers usually provide this training through a nurse residency program for recent graduates or a preceptorship for more experienced nurses. The programs typically last 3-6 months.
- 4
Consider Becoming a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
There are several emergency nursing certification programs. One of the most widely recognized is the certified emergency nurse (CEN) credential from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). You can take the certification exam once you have an RN license and at least two years of ER nursing experience.
ER Nurse Education
Are you wondering how long it takes to become an ER nurse? You can earn an ADN degree in two years or a traditional BSN in four years. Which one is right for you depends on your short and long-term goals.
ADN Degree
If you want to become an ER nurse quickly, an ADN degree may be your answer. This degree takes two years, compared to four years for a BSN. If you earn your ADN and eventually decide to pursue a four-year degree, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN bridge program. Some employers require or prefer BSN degrees, especially when filling leadership roles.
- Admission Requirements High school diploma or GED certificate with science and math courses
- Program Curriculum Practical nursing skills, such as using medical equipment and monitoring patients; how to maintain a hygienic healthcare environment; how healthcare organizations work; communications; legal and ethical concerns
- Time to Complete Two years
- Skills Learned Administering medication and other prescribed treatments; wound care; performing medical testing; safely using medical equipment; understanding and updating medical records
BSN Degree
The four-year BSN takes longer than an ADN, has more stringent admission requirements, and offers a more in-depth curriculum. A BSN also shortens the path to graduate-level studies, including master’s and doctoral programs. If you have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, you can complete an accelerated BSN program in as little as one year.
- Admission Requirements High school diploma or GED certificate with math and science classes; minimum 3.0 GPA
- Program Curriculum Nursing skills; public health and population health; nurse leadership; research and statistics; understanding and applying evidence-based nursing practices
- Time to Complete Four years
- Skills Learned Performing nursing tasks; patient communications; leadership; strategies for improving patient care
ER Nurse Licensure and Certification
To become an ER nurse, you must have an RN license and maintain it by participating in continuing professional education. Each state has different requirements. Nurses should check with their state’s nursing board for approved in-person or online continuing education providers.
Unlike a license, certification is not required to practice ER nursing. Still, employers may require it for advancement within the department. Even if certification is not required for a position, obtaining it can boost your career and knowledge after you’ve taken a few years to master ER nursing basics.
While all ER nursing certifications focus on the knowledge and techniques of emergency treatment, these credentials vary based on the type of workplace and patient. For example, flight and transportation ER nurse certifications focus on stabilizing patients during emergency transportation with minimal equipment and support.
Available certifications include:
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)
- Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
- Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN)
- Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN)
Working as an ER Nurse
ER nurse responsibilities vary by setting and experience. If you work in a larger emergency department, you may be trained in advanced areas such as critical care, while in a smaller facility, you may be more of a generalist.
According to Payscale, the median salary for an ER nurse is $77,577 as of May 2024. However, ER nurses’ salaries vary widely based on education, region, experience, and workplace setting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an ER Nurse
ER nurses treat patients from various backgrounds for different medical issues, so their roles are highly variable. Common tasks include treating and monitoring patients with medical emergencies, performing triage, taking vital signs, assisting with procedures, and collaborating with other providers to coordinate and optimize care.
Related Pages
How Much Do ER Nurses Make?
ER nurse salaries vary based on many factors. We’ve analyzed salary data for this critical profession by geographic region and several other categories.
Meet an ER Nurse
ER nursing is a fast-paced, challenging, rewarding career. This is how one ER nurse describes this professional choice.
How the Nursing Shortage Affects the ER—And What to Do About It
ER nursing shortages have tangible effects on patient outcomes and retention. ER nurses can help solve this national crisis.