Do You Need Specific Qualifications to Work in ER?
Nursing is an amazing career that offers financial stability, job security, and room for career growth. Within nursing, there are a variety of specialties that nurses can step into that call for different tasks and duties.
One such nursing specialty is that of ER nursing. In essence, these nurses work in emergency room settings and help attend to a wide variety of patients. Those pursuing an education in nursing who are curious about ER nursing can benefit from a deeper understanding of what type of qualifications are necessary to step into the role.
Here’s an exploration of the different types of qualifications that are necessary for nurses to work in an ER.
Earning an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree
Those beginning their nursing and ER career journey will need to begin by obtaining a degree. While some opt for a quicker associate’s degree in nursing, many take the extra time to obtain a bachelor’s degree to bolster their professional value and create a meaningful foundation for career growth.
Earning an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing will get one closer to becoming qualified to work as an ER nurse. However, this isn’t the only educational requirement necessary to become qualified for the role.
Becoming Licensed
In order to work in any medical setting as a registered nurse, one will need to become licensed. To do so, one must take and pass the NCLEX exam. After this, one is qualified to work as a registered nurse in a variety of settings.
However, this doesn’t always mean that it will be easy to immediately step into an ER nursing role. Though becoming qualified as a registered nurse does technically qualify one for the role, employers often want to feel confident in candidates’ abilities before giving them the role.
How to Bolster One’s Qualifications
After obtaining a degree in nursing and becoming a licensed registered nurse, there are a variety of avenues that one can pursue to bolster one’s credentials.
One of the most accessible ways to do this for aspiring ER nurses is by obtaining a certified emergency nurse or CEN credential. Essentially, this credential shows employers that one is ready to face all of the unique and high-stakes challenges that nurses face while working in an ER. As such, this credential can go a long way in making one a more attractive choice for hiring managers in ER settings.
However, earning a CEN isn’t the only option for aspiring ER nurses looking to bolster their qualifications and become attractive candidates.
Many aspiring nurses start their careers off with an advanced degree that helps them have far more power in the job market. One such powerful degree for nurses is the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree or DNP.
One great reason to get a DNP is that it conveys to all employers that one is a skilled nurse with the training to rise to any occasion. As such, anyone intent on pursuing a career in an ER can have a much easier time accomplishing their goal with the help of this amazing degree.
Another key reason that many aspiring nurses and veteran nurses obtain DNPs is the job mobility that it allows one to have. Whether one wants to become a travel nurse for the lucrative salary or a nurse practitioner for the increased autonomy, a DNP is a great way to get closer to achieving these goals.
Ultimately, one’s personal career goals will determine what is the best course of action to bolster one’s education. Going down any of these educational paths will make it easier to land that ER nursing job and thrive in the healthcare space as a budding professional.
The Unique Challenges of ER Nursing
While ER nursing can be an extremely fulfilling career path, it also comes with its fair share of challenges and complications. Before pursuing this job, it’s imperative that one has a firm grasp of what these obstacles are.
Some challenges that ER nurses face include:
- Consistently being in a stressful environment: Emergency rooms are some of the most stressful medical settings in the world. This being the case, ER nurses are steeped in stressful and sometimes even chaotic work situations for a significant part of their careers.
- Mental toll: ER nurses often have to help treat patients at risk of losing their lives. As a result, they have to engage in a variety of difficult and trying practices such as resuscitating patients. Ultimately, this can result in experiences of trauma and cause ER nurses to experience a serious mental toll.
- Increased instances of violence: While all nurses face some risk of experiencing violence from patients, studies have shown that ER patients face this particular risk the most. As one can imagine, this can be incredibly difficult to endure through the tenure of one’s career.
Becoming an ER Nurse is Within Reach
ER nurses play a vital role in the modern healthcare system. Those who wish to step into this admirable role can achieve their goals by attaining the right educational requirements. To further bolster one’s chances of stepping into this role, furthering one’s education and obtaining advanced certifications and degrees is also a great option.
