How to Become an ER Nurse, Career Near Me
How to Become an ER Nurse, Career Near Me
Becoming an emergency room nurse can be a very demanding, yet rewarding experience. Working as an ER nurse is similar to being a nurse in other specialties—you will need the ability to effectively communicate with staff and patients, collaborate with other staff, and quickly build rapport with patients. But because of the nature of ER work, it is also necessary that you have excellent critical thinking skills and good judgement. If this sounds like you, let’s get started. You’ll need to obtain the proper educational requirements before you can begin your career.
Part 1 Getting Your Education.
1. Earn your high school diploma or GED. Without a high school education, you won’t be able to enroll in all of the other required schooling. If you already have or are working on your high school diploma, you are on the right path. If you didn’t get your high school diploma, it’s not too late. You can earn the equivalent of a high school diploma by passing the General Education Development (GED) test.
Planning ahead during high school is important. The better you do in your high school classes—including good study habits, testing scores, and grades—the more prepared you will be for your college courses.
You should take as many advanced math and science classes as you can, since this is what your focus will be in college. In fact, if you take advanced placement (AP) courses in high school, you can earn college credit and be 1 step ahead!
You should also work to maintain a high GPA during high school. Admission to most nursing programs are typically based on high school and college GPAs.
2. Earn your Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) for a fast option. The ADN program is focused on the specific courses required for nursing and can be completed in 2 years. The cost of obtaining an ADN will vary depending on the school you attend and the program you enroll in, but you can expect to pay around $15,000.00 for this degree.
You should know that while many hospitals will hire nurses with an ADN, they may require that you obtain your BSN within a certain amount of time. Also, as the market becomes more competitive, some hospitals are starting to shift away from ADNs altogether and will only hire those with a BSN.
The program you select should come from a university that has been accredited—preferably by the US Department of Education.
Remember to stay focused on your schooling and grades. If you find that you are struggling in a particular class or subject, look for a tutor to get extra help.
3. Get your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for more opportunities. A BSN includes the required nursing courses as well as other general education and elective classes. Because of the extra coursework, this degree will take about 4 years to complete and will cost around $40,000.00, depending on the school and program.
The extra coursework will give you a more well-rounded education and tends to be favored over an ADN by employers.
Make sure the school you attend has been accredited—preferably by the US Department of Education. Employers will look at the school you received your degree from to make sure it is a quality university that has met accreditation standards.
Just like in high school, stay focused during college and get good grades. Stay up on your homework and studying and do well on tests. If you find that you are struggling with certain subjects or concepts, look into getting a tutor to get back on track.
4. Apply for your nursing license through your state board of nursing. Do an online search for “YOUR STATE Board of Nursing” to find contact information and the specific requirements for your state. Typically the requirements include a degree from a state-approved nursing program and a declaration of all chemical dependencies, functional ability deficits, and criminal convictions.
The board will determine if you meet the eligibility requirements to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and receive a nursing license after you pass.
5. Take and pass the NCLEX-RN Exam. The NCLEX-RN Exam is a standardized test meant to determine if you are ready to practice nursing and costs $200.00 to take. When you can take the exam varies by state, but most candidates take the exam about 45 days after receiving their degree.
You can pay $7.95 to receive your unofficial test results within 2 business days, otherwise your results will be sent to you approximately 6 weeks after your exam.
If you do not pass the exam, you can retake it as many times as you need to, but you must wait a minimum of 45 days between testing.
Part 2 Starting Your Career as an ER Nurse.
1. Apply for ER jobs in the area you would like to work. Most hospitals have emergency rooms and triage clinics where they treat patients suffering from minor ailments to serious injuries—and they always need to be staffed with qualified nurses. You should have plenty of options for places to work, so begin by determining which places you would be interested in working at and start applying.
Don’t limit yourself to only working in a hospital ER. You could look for positions on a military base, the nursing school at a university, in a prison, poison control center, or an urgent care clinic. You could even become a flight nurse on an airplane or helicopter!
If you are considering moving out of your current state of residence, check to see if both the state you live in and the state you are transferring to participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If they do, you will be able to practice nursing in the other state. If the state you are considering moving to does not participate in the NLC, you may need to apply for a nursing endorsement in order to practice there.
2. Take-on a nursing position in another field if you can’t find a job in an ER. Some hospitals will not hire recent nursing graduates to work in the ER. They may require that you participate in an internship or orientation program first. This will help prepare you for working in the emergency room.
While you are participating in preparatory program or waiting for a position, consider working in a critical care or step-down unit to gain relevant experience.
3. Know what to expect when working in the ER. Once you have been offered and have accepted a nursing position, it’s time to get your career started. Understand that working in an emergency room is different than what you see in TV dramas. You will be dealing with real-life emergencies, frantic family members, and life-or-death situations that may depend on the decisions you make.
Dealing with trauma and these types of situations can be difficult, so make sure you are prepared mentally and emotionally to handle whatever situation comes your way.
Also expect to work varying shifts—often late nights and weekends.
4. Become a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) to advance your career. If you decide that working in the ER is the right place for you, then consider becoming licensed as an emergency nurse. This certification recognizes your ability and knowledge specific to working in the emergency field, as well as your dedication to education and the practice. It also allows you to be recognized by employers and the public for your accomplishments.
You must pass an initial exam through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing, and it will cost between $230.00 and $270.00 to take it.
The board recommends a minimum of 2 years of emergency room experience before obtaining your CEN, but it isn’t required.
Tips.
When selecting a degree program and a school to attend, it’s important that you choose one that fits your needs. For instance, if you will be working while you obtain your degree or if you have a family to care for, you may need to consider schools that offer courses online or on evenings and weekends.You may find that working as a nurse in the ER is extremely stressful and demanding, but don’t forget to occasionally take some time to enjoy the rewards of your new position. You should feel good about yourself knowing that you get to help make a difference in people’s lives every day.
