Become An Emergency Department Registered Nurse

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Working As An Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Assisting and Caring for Others
Documenting/Recording Information
Getting Information
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Deal with People
Unpleasant/Angry People
Unpleasant/Hazardous Environment
Make Decisions
$55,973
Average Salary

What Does An Emergency Department Registered Nurse Do

An Emergency Department Registered Nurse ensures the safe, accurate, and timely care of patients presented to the emergency department. They typically work in a hospital or urgent care setting.

How To Become An Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses also must be licensed.

Education

In all nursing education programs, students take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology, and other social and behavioral sciences, as well as in liberal arts. BSN programs typically take 4 years to complete; ADN and diploma programs usually take 2 to 3 years to complete. All programs include supervised clinical experience.

Bachelor’s degree programs usually include additional education in the physical and social sciences, communication, leadership, and critical thinking. These programs also offer more clinical experience in nonhospital settings. A bachelor’s degree or higher is often necessary for administrative positions, research, consulting, and teaching.

Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of education programs (bachelor’s, associate’s, or diploma) qualify for entry-level positions as a staff nurse. However, employers—particularly those in hospitals—may require a bachelor’s degree.

Many registered nurses with an ADN or diploma choose to go back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree through an RN-to-BSN program. There are also master’s degree programs in nursing, combined bachelor’s and master’s programs, and accelerated programs for those who wish to enter the nursing profession and already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement.

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) must earn a master’s degree in nursing and typically already have 1 or more years of work experience as an RN or in a related field. CNSs who conduct research typically need a doctoral degree.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

In all states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, registered nurses must have a nursing license. To become licensed, nurses must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

Other requirements for licensing vary by state. Each state’s board of nursing can give details. For more information on the NCLEX-RN and a list of state boards of nursing, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Nurses may become certified through professional associations in specific areas, such as ambulatory care, gerontology, and pediatrics, among others. Although certification is usually voluntary, it demonstrates adherence to a higher standard, and some employers require it.

CNSs must satisfy additional state licensing requirements, such as earning specialty certifications. Contact state boards of nursing for specific requirements.

Important Qualities

Critical-thinking skills. Registered nurses must be able to assess changes in the health status of patients, including determining when to take corrective action and when to make referrals.

Communication skills. Registered nurses must be able to communicate effectively with patients in order to understand their concerns and assess their health conditions. Nurses need to explain instructions, such as how to take medication, clearly. They must be able to work in teams with other health professionals and communicate the patients’ needs.

Compassion. Registered nurses should be caring and empathetic when caring for patients.

Detail oriented. Registered nurses must be responsible and detail oriented because they must make sure that patients get the correct treatments and medicines at the right time.

Emotional stability. Registered nurses need emotional resilience and the ability to manage their emotions to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses.

Organizational skills. Nurses often work with multiple patients with various health needs. Organizational skills are critical to ensure that each patient is given appropriate care.

Physical stamina. Nurses should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as moving patients. They may be on their feet for most of their shift.

Advancement

Most registered nurses begin as staff nurses in hospitals or community health settings. With experience, good performance, and continuous education, they can move to other settings or be promoted to positions with more responsibility.

In management, nurses can advance from assistant clinical nurse manager, charge nurse, or head nurse to more senior-level administrative roles, such as assistant director or director of nursing, vice president of nursing, or chief nursing officer. Increasingly, management-level nursing positions are requiring a graduate degree in nursing or health services administration. Administrative positions require leadership, communication skills, negotiation skills, and good judgment.

Some nurses move into the business side of healthcare. Their nursing expertise and experience on a healthcare team equip them to manage ambulatory, acute, home-based, and chronic care businesses. Employers—including hospitals, insurance companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and managed care organizations, among others—need registered nurses for jobs in health planning and development, marketing, consulting, policy development, and quality assurance.

Some RNs choose to become nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners, which, along with clinical nurse specialists, are types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). APRNs may provide primary and specialty care, and in many states they may prescribe medications.

Other nurses work as postsecondary teachers in colleges and universities.

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Emergency Department Registered Nurse jobs

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Emergency Department Registered Nurse Career Paths

Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Staff Nurse Nurse Manager

Assistant Director Of Nursing

7 Yearsyrs

Registered Nurse Supervisor Unit Manager Nurse

Assistant Nurse Manager

7 Yearsyrs

Registered Nurse Supervisor Clinical Instructor Nurse Educator

Clinical Nurse Educator

12 Yearsyrs

Nurse Practitioner Nurse Manager

Emergency Services Director

8 Yearsyrs

Family Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner Staff Nurse

House Supervisor

6 Yearsyrs

Registered Nurse Case Manager Senior Technician Specialist Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse/Supervisor

5 Yearsyrs

Nurse Practitioner Staff Nurse

Nurse Case Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Registered Nurse Case Manager Clinical Instructor

Nurse Educator

10 Yearsyrs

Staff Nurse Registered Nurse Supervisor

Nurse Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Nurse Registered Nurse Supervisor

Registered Nurse Case Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Nurse Staff Nurse

Registered Nurse Supervisor

7 Yearsyrs

Nurse Manager Unit Manager Home Health Nurse

Telephone Triage Nurse

10 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Staff Nurse 5.9 years
Registered Nurse 5.7 years
Registered Professional Nurse 5.2 years
Relief Charge Nurse 4.6 years
Staff Nurse For Emergency Department 4.5 years
Registered Nurse Charge Nurse 4.4 years
Registered Nurse Nurse Manager 4.3 years
Nurse Clinician 4.3 years
Emergency Department Registered Nurse 4.0 years
Senior Registered Nurse 4.0 years
Emergency Room Nurse 4.0 years
Registered Nurse In The ICU 3.6 years
Trauma Nurse 3.5 years
Registered Nurse In Pacu 3.4 years
Clinic Registered Nurse 3.4 years
Pediatric Nurse 3.2 years
Agency Registered Nurse 3.2 years
Psychiatric Registered Nurse 3.1 years
Practical Nurse 2.9 years
Special Duty Nurse 2.8 years
Recovery Room Nurse 2.7 years
Progressive Care Nurse 2.7 years
Registered Nurse Med/Surg 2.7 years
Contractor-Registered Nurse 2.5 years
Telemetry Registered Nurse 2.3 years
Registered Nurse PRN 2.3 years

Top Careers Before Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Top Careers After Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Emergency Department Registered Nurse Demographics

Gender

Female
77.4%
Male
20.8%
Unknown
1.8%

Ethnicity

White
82.0%
Hispanic or Latino
9.0%
Asian
7.1%
Unknown
1.4%
Black or African American
0.5%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
63.8%
Portuguese
6.9%
German
5.2%
Korean
5.2%
Japanese
3.4%
Mandarin
3.4%
Turkish
1.7%
Chinese
1.7%
Ukrainian
1.7%
Cantonese
1.7%
French
1.7%
Tagalog
1.7%
Polish
1.7%

Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Emergency Department Registered Nurse Education

Schools

Walden University
14.5%
University of Phoenix
12.8%
Chamberlain College of Nursing
9.0%
Grand Canyon University
8.1%
University of Texas at Arlington
6.4%
South University
6.4%
University of South Alabama
6.0%
University of Cincinnati
4.3%
University of Alabama at Birmingham
4.3%
Ohio University -
3.0%
Western Governors University
3.0%
Liberty University
3.0%
Kaplan University
3.0%
University of Maryland - Baltimore
2.6%
Jacksonville University
2.6%
George Mason University
2.6%
Wilmington University
2.1%
University of Rhode Island
2.1%
University of Pennsylvania
2.1%
University of Central Florida
2.1%

Majors

Nursing 82.6%
Business 3.5%
Family Practice Nursing 2.9%
Nursing Science 2.0%
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs 1.2%
Management 1.2%
Health Care Administration 1.2%
Education 0.9%
Public Health 0.7%
Clinical Psychology 0.5%
Health And Wellness 0.5%
Medicine 0.4%
General Studies 0.4%
Liberal Arts 0.4%
Medical Technician 0.3%
Biology 0.3%
Medical Assisting Services 0.3%
Physician Assistant 0.3%
Psychology 0.2%
Health Sciences And Services 0.2%

Degrees

Bachelors
35.1%
Masters
32.2%
Associate
20.7%
Other
6.9%
Doctorate
2.4%
Certificate
1.2%
Diploma
1.0%
License
0.4%

Emergency Department Registered Nurse

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Real Emergency Department Registered Nurse Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Emergency Department RN	Baptist Hospital of Miami, Inc.	Miami, FL	Sep 08, 2014	$83,960
Emergency Department RN	Baptist Hospital of Miami, Inc.	Miami, FL	Sep 08, 2011	$83,042
Emergency Department RN	Baptist Hospital of Miami, Inc.	Miami, FL	Oct 01, 2011	$79,035
Emergency Department RN	Baptist Hospital of Miami, Inc.	Miami, FL	Mar 09, 2015	$76,781
Emergency Department RN	Baptist Hospital of Miami, Inc.	Miami, FL	Mar 09, 2012	$73,066
Emergency Department Registered Nurse	Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center	Patchogue, NY	Dec 15, 2009	$67,347 - $39
Emergency Department RN	Homestead Hospital, Inc.	Homestead, FL	Nov 10, 2014	$63,612
Emergency Department RN	Baptist Hospital of Miami, Inc.	Miami, FL	Aug 07, 2011	$62,986
Emergency Department RN	Homestead Hospital, Inc.	Homestead, FL	Nov 11, 2012	$61,775
Emergency Department RN	Baptist Hospital of Miami, Inc.	Miami, FL	Aug 25, 2011	$61,170
Emergency Department RN	Baptist Hospital of Miami, Inc.	Miami, FL	Jul 14, 2011	$59,396
Emergency Department RN	West Kendall Baptist, Inc.	Miami, FL	Feb 01, 2012	$58,561
Emergency Department Registered Nurse	The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital	Torrington, CT	Nov 24, 2009	$58,436
Emergency Department RN	Homestead Hospital, Inc.	Homestead, FL	Nov 10, 2011	$55,973
Emergency Department Registered Nurse	Sierra Vista Hospital	Truth or Consequences, NM	Jan 01, 2011	$55,973
Emergency Department RN	Homestead Hospital, Inc.	Homestead, FL	Oct 04, 2010	$54,345
Emergency Department Registered Nurse	Homestead Hospital, Inc.	Homestead, FL	Aug 05, 2009	$54,345
Emergency Department RN	Homestead Hospital, Inc.	Homestead, FL	Oct 05, 2009	$54,345
Emergency Department RN	Palm Springs General Hospital	Hialeah, FL	Dec 15, 2009	$52,175
Emergency Department RN	Ultimate Care Inc.	Miami, FL	Oct 01, 2009	$52,175
Emergency Department RN	Ultimate Care Inc.	Hialeah, FL	Oct 01, 2009	$52,175

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Top Skills for An Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Top Emergency Department Registered Nurse Skills

Emergency Department Patients
Triage
Trauma Patients

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Displayed expert clinical skills in managing the critical care of all categories of Emergency Department patients.
Performed triage and initial assessments of adult and pediatric patients presenting with trauma/medical/cardiac/neurological/gynecological/obstetric/psychiatric symptoms.
Assessed/treated medical/trauma patients for emergent injuries/illnesses.
Key Accomplishment * Frequently assigned to triage patients due to strong customer service orientation and effective listening/communication skills.
Employed as a staff RN in this small emergency department in rural Northern Michigan.