Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner Programs Online

Emergency room (ER) nurse practitioners provide urgent care to patients in partnership with physicians, RNs, and other healthcare professionals. If you thrive under pressure, work well with others, and want to care for a variety of patients and conditions, this career could be right for you.

This guide to the best emergency room nurse practitioner programs can help you find the perfect school for your career goals and background. We explore top programs, how to apply, and why program accreditation matters.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best emergency nurse practitioner programs, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

Keep reading to learn more about emergency room nurse practitioner programs, or go straight to our list of the best emergency room nurse practitioner programs.

Emergency room nurse practitioner programs prepare learners to diagnose and treat patients with health crises, including injuries and illnesses. Coursework includes advanced physiology, assessment and diagnosis, treatment of medical emergencies, emergency transportation and care, and the legal and ethical aspects of emergency care.

Students learn about communication with patients and families during emergencies and issues related to violence and violence prevention as part of healthcare. The curriculum also includes caring for patients who come to emergency departments in situations that aren’t emergencies, for a variety of reasons.

Assessment courses concentrate on reading X-rays, ECGs, and other scans. Treatment courses include trauma treatment and resuscitation. Emergency nurse practitioner programs also include clinical hours in emergency rooms.

Emergency room nurse practitioner programs require at least one year of experience as an emergency department RN or other trauma care experience. Some schools accept military experience as an equivalent.

During the program accreditation process, an independent group of practitioners and academics reviews a program to determine if graduates can practice nursing safely. This comprehensive review process includes:

While not a guarantee, this thorough review process gives students the reassurance that they are investing their time and money wisely. In addition, accreditation tells employers that applicants have received a quality education.

This guide lists only accredited programs.

Emergency nurse practitioners work primarily in hospitals or stand-alone emergency departments. They also work in jails, military bases, and urgent care clinics. These nurses are licensed to diagnose and treat medical conditions.

ER nurses work all shifts, typically three 12-hour shifts per week. Depending on the hospital and staffing levels, nurses may work regular shifts (the same times each week) or variable shifts. Overtime work is common for ER nurses.

You must earn at least an RN license to become an ER nurse. Most ERs require additional certifications, such as trauma nursing core, advanced cardiovascular life support, and/or pediatric advanced life support. To become an emergency room nurse practitioner, you must attend a graduate or postgraduate emergency nurse practitioner program and pass board certification examination.

ER nurses need to know how to administer medications and other treatments; assist physicians or nurse practitioners during procedures; monitor patient vitals and perform medical tests; and communicate with the rest of the care team, patients, and family or loved ones. They must remain calm under pressure.