Emergency Room Nursing
If you have a passion for helping people and have just completed high school, consider pursuing a career in emergency room nursing. Emergency room nursing plays a crucial role in the hospital setting, and this article provides an overview of what it entails.
What is Emergency Room Nursing?
Emergency room nursing involves providing care to patients in the emergency room. The emergency room environment requires a higher level of expertise compared to regular nursing positions. When patients visit the emergency room, they often have urgent medical needs that require immediate attention. Emergency room nurses act quickly to reduce discomfort and maintain the patients’ health.
Key Responsibilities of an Emergency Room Nurse
Emergency room nurses have critical responsibilities in the hospital. Here are the key responsibilities of emergency nursing:
1. Triage:
Emergency room nurses prioritize patient care based on their condition. They use their medical knowledge, attention to detail, and quick thinking to assess patients’ needs. Gathering personal information, medical history, and collaborating with doctors are essential aspects of triage.
2. Vital Signs Checkup:
Monitoring vital signs is a primary responsibility of emergency room nurses. They observe patients’ temperature, heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure throughout their stay in the emergency room. Monitoring vital signs helps nurses assess the patient’s condition and detect any changes that require medical attention.
3. Drug Administration:
Emergency room nurses administer prescribed medications to patients. They ensure patients receive their medications as directed by the doctor. Emergency room nurses may also coordinate with the pharmacy to obtain necessary medications.
4. Providing Medical Care:
Emergency room nurses assist with various medical procedures and treatments, ranging from minor health operations to administering medications. They support the physician in stabilizing patients and providing care for critically ill individuals.
5. Assessing Patients:
Nurses monitor the implementation of doctors’ orders, ensuring proper administration of medications and completion of prescribed procedures. In situations where the emergency room is short-staffed, nurses may be responsible for coordinating additional tests, such as X-rays.
6. Charting:
Emergency room nurses maintain accurate and detailed medical records of patients, including medical histories, current conditions, medications, and treatments. Proper charting is essential for effective communication among healthcare staff and protects hospitals and personnel from legal liabilities.
7. Discharge:
When patients are deemed safe to leave the emergency room after treatment and do not require hospital admission, the emergency room nurse prepares discharge summaries. Nurses review the summaries with patients, their families, or caregivers, addressing any concerns they may have. They also ensure appropriate follow-up care and necessary appointments.
Emergency Room Nursing Skills
Emergency room nurses require a range of skills to excel in their roles. Some important skills for emergency room nursing include:
1. Clinical Skills:
Emergency room nurses need a solid foundation in medical skills, including taking measurements, administering medications, preparing patients for procedures, and providing cardiac assistance.
2. Assertiveness:
Emergency room nurses must assertively communicate patient needs to healthcare providers, families, and administrative staff, particularly in time-sensitive situations.
3. Flexibility:
Adapting to changing tasks, priorities, and requirements is crucial for emergency room nurses. They must be able to handle multiple responsibilities and respond to evolving circumstances.
4. Multitasking:
Emergency room nurses often have to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, such as transferring patients while discussing the status of other patients with doctors.
5. Time Management Skills:
Effective time management is essential in the fast-paced emergency room environment. Nurses must prioritize tasks and respond promptly to urgent situations.
6. Interpersonal Skills:
Emergency room nurses interact with diverse individuals daily. They need excellent communication skills to effectively communicate with patients, their families, and colleagues. Empathy, patience, and compassion are essential qualities.
7. Collaboration Skills:
Collaboration with various healthcare professionals and departments is vital in the emergency room setting. Nurses must work well with others to determine the most appropriate treatment plans for patients.
Common Conditions Treated by Emergency Room Nursing
Emergency room nurses encounter a wide range of illnesses and conditions. The conditions treated depend on the location of the emergency room. Common conditions treated include respiratory infections, abdominal pains, strains, superficial wounds, and heart problems. Rural areas may see more trauma wounds from accidents, while urban areas often handle severe cases like gunshot injuries.
Challenges of Emergency Room Nursing
Emergency room nursing presents challenges that nurses must navigate. These challenges include:
1. High Anxiety:
The fast-paced and diverse nature of the emergency room environment can create high levels of pressure and anxiety. Nurses must remain calm and composed to succeed in this setting.
2. Intense Emotions:
Emergency room nurses often witness suffering, tragedy, and loss. Dealing with these emotional experiences can be exhausting. Nurses must maintain emotional stability and empathy while providing care.
3. Continuous Motion:
The constant movement and demanding nature of the emergency room can be physically tiring. Nurses must be able to handle multiple tasks without frequent breaks.
How to Become an Emergency Room Nurse
To become an emergency room nurse, you need to obtain a nursing degree, either a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. After completing your nursing degree, you must pass the required licensing exams to become a registered nurse.
Once you have your nursing license, you can gain experience in emergency nursing. Working as a floater nurse in the emergency room or assisting rescue teams can provide relevant experience. Additionally, you can pursue certification from the Board of Accreditation for Emergency Nursing after gaining a minimum of two years of emergency nursing experience.
In summary, emergency room nursing involves caring for patients with urgent medical needs. It requires specific skills such as collaboration, time management, and interpersonal skills. While it presents challenges, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling career path. If you need assistance with emergency room nursing assignments or any nursing needs, consider reaching out to professionals who can provide help and support.