The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) has been recognizing the second Wednesday in October as Emergency Nurses Day. This day honors these nurses for their dedication to patient care. In 2001, it expanded the celebration to devote an entire week to these hard-working nurses. One day just wasn’t enough to recognize all that they do.
In 2023, Emergency Nurse’s Week will take place from October 8th through October 14th. A special day of focus will be on Wednesday, October 11th, Emergency Nurses Day. Whether you’re a permanent member of the emergency room staff, or working in a travel job, celebrating this day is a great way to advocate for the profession. Perhaps you’d like to provide inspiration to others to embark on this career. You may want to share an empowering story on social media using #EmpowerED and #ENWeek, as well as tagging @ENAorg. The ENA also offers lots of great ideas and useful tools to help get the word out on its website.
Other types of nurses, including travel nurses in every specialty, and the countless patients and families of those patients who’ve had encounters with an ER RN may want to want to recognize them with a shout out, or a thank you note.
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The Many Responsibilities of an Emergency Nurse
Those who don’t work in this field may want to learn more about just what an emergency RN does. As you probably know, they’re often employed at hospital emergency rooms or trauma centers. Other types emergency medicine facilities include cruise ships and prisons. They’re tasked with providing rapid assessment and treating patients during the initial phase of an illness or trauma. Often in life-threatening situations.
An ER RN specializes in assessing, intervening and stabilizing patients with a wide range of illnesses and trauma. An ER nurse requires decisive action which means they most be knowledgeable about both specific and general health issues. Understanding triage, a method of prioritizing injuries and other physical as well as mental conditions based on medical need is essential. This means they’ll have to be able to make a quick, accurate assessment of patients, often under pressure.
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Becoming an Emergency Nurse
Being an emergency nurse is hard and sometimes emotional work, but also very rewarding. It requires becoming a registered nurse (RN). To become an RN you must earn either an associate degree in nursing (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Then you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, or NCLEX-RN. Some ER nurses choose to continue their education, earning a master’s degree and becoming an advance practice nurse.
RNs who want to specialize in ER should have some experience in the field first. It’s generally recommended that nurses accrue at least two years of ER nursing experience. This is recommended prior to seeking Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) certification. There are several types of certifications available, including pediatric emergency (CPEN), flight (CFRN) and critical care ground transport (CTRN).
After gaining certification, emergency nurses typically must continue their education throughout their career, as best practices and technology changes regularly, updated to ensure patients receive the best care possible. A CEN will also need to qualify for re-certification every four years which can be accomplished via qualifying continuing education hours or online testing.
Learn how to become an Emergency Room travel nurse
Due to the great need for emergency nurses there is usually little difficulty in securing a permanent or travel job. As long as the the education, experienced and certifications have been acquired.
ER RNs make an incredible difference when every second counts. Be sure to get the word out and help recognize all that they do by celebrating Emergency Nurses Week.
Interested in emergency nursing travel jobs? Start here!