Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner Career Overview
Emergency room nurse practitioners (ERNPs) have a crucial role in caring for patients during medical emergencies. This specialized profession often offers a six-figure salary and the satisfaction of knowing you can save lives and treat severe injuries and conditions.
ERNPs need to be prepared to diagnose and manage various acute medical issues in a diverse patient population. Let’s take a closer look at the world of ER nurse practitioners.
ERNPs usually handle around 22 patients per day, making it a fast-paced career. If you thrive on teamwork and making a significant impact, continue reading to explore the realm of ERNPs and their contributions.
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What is Emergency Room Nursing?
How Long to Become:
Typically 6 years (BSN – 4 years, MSN – 2 years)
Job Outlook:
52% growth between 2020 and 2030
– United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Annual Salary:
$130,000
– American Association of Nurse Practitioners
MSN or DNP Required
NP Certification Required
ERNP a Plus
Emergency room nurse practitioners must effectively collaborate with other members of the emergency care team, such as social workers and healthcare providers, and communicate clearly with patients and their families. Given the high-stress environment of emergency rooms, ERNPs must remain calm under pressure and demonstrate empathy.
Below are some common responsibilities for ERNPs.
Key Responsibilities:
– Assess patients
– Order tests
– Diagnose conditions
– Prescribe treatment in emergency departments
– Educate patients
– Supervise registered nurses (RNs) and other nursing staff
– Collaborate with physicians, surgeons, and specialists
Career Traits:
– Ability to make sound decisions under pressure
– Stress management
– Collaboration
– Strong communication skills
Why Become an Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner
Working as an ERNP isn’t for everyone. Like other emergency responders, emergency room nurse practitioners deal with stressful situations, trauma, and individuals experiencing emotional crises. However, the satisfaction of making a difference and the financial rewards can make the position worth it.
Advantages to Becoming an Emergency Room NP:
– High demand
– Six-figure salaries
– Satisfaction of making a difference
– Camaraderie and team spirit
Disadvantages to Becoming an Emergency Room NP:
– High scheduling demands and related stress
– Higher risk of lawsuits than other specialties
– Frustration dealing with non-emergencies
– Potential for violence with agitated patients or family members
How to Become an Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner
To become an ERNP, you must earn a graduate degree in nursing (either an MSN or a DNP), pass the board certification, and earn your state license as a nurse practitioner.
Become an Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner:
1. Earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree.
You must earn either a four-year BSN or a two-year associate degree. The BSN takes longer, but it offers the most options for earning an MSN.
2. Pass the NCLEX exam to receive an RN license.
The National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) is a multi-hour multiple-choice examination on nursing theory, practical nursing, communications, and legal and ethical aspects of nursing.
3. Earn an MSN degree.
Most full-time MSN programs prefer at least 1-2 years of experience as an RN. These two-year programs include advanced nursing topics and new topics, including diagnostics, pharmacology, and treatments.
Consider earning an MSN in family nurse practice (FNP). FNPs are preferred in the emergency room because of the diversity in ER patient ages.
4. Pass the certification exam.
The national board certification is another multi-hour multiple-choice examination.
5. Get NP state licensure.
State requirements vary, but all include passing the board certification, having a clear and unencumbered RN license, and completing a background check with fingerprinting.
6. Gain experience.
Working as an FNP and then working for two or more years in the ER can help with eligibility to apply for an ERNP certification course to get certification. Many hospitals prefer the extra certification.
How Much Do Emergency Room Nurse Practitioners Make?
According to the AANP, the median ERNP compensation is $130,000, including base salary, incentives, and bonuses. Salary.com reports that as of April 2022, the highest-paid 10% make $143,890 or more. While the BLS reports on NPs in general, rather than breaking out emergency room nurse practitioner job outlooks, it projects growth of 52% for NPs between 2020 and 2030.
FAQ: Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner
What is an emergency room nurse practitioner?
Emergency room nurse practitioners have more training than RNs but less than physicians. They are licensed to assess patients, order medical tests, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatments.
Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner Career Overview
In emergency rooms, they may focus on treating patients who need nonemergency care, or they may treat patients at all levels of need, depending on volume and staffing.
How long does it take to become an emergency room nurse practitioner?
It takes at least six years of education and typically at least two years of experience to become an emergency room nurse practitioner.
Most ERNPs have a BSN, which takes two years, practice nursing as RNs, and then earn a two-year MSN degree. (Most MSN programs require or at least strongly prefer at least 1-2 years of experience.)
How much do emergency room nurse practitioners make?
ERNPs make a median $130,000 in total compensation, according to the AANP. Emergency care is one of the higher-paying NP specialties, largely because of the higher stress levels, greater likelihood of being sued, and potential for burnout.
What’s the difference between an ER nurse and ER nurse practitioner?
ERNPs are authorized to order medical tests, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatments. They can prescribe medications, including controlled substances. RNs are not authorized to do any of these but instead carry out the medical testing and often administer the prescribed treatments.
Resources for Emergency Room Nurse Practitioners
– The American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners provides professional development, publishes a specialty journal, and codevelops the emergency nurse practitioner certification, in collaboration with the AANP certification board. It offers emergency room nurse practitioners ongoing education, including certification preparation courses, and a career board.
– The AANP is the largest trade association for nurse practitioners in all specialty areas. It advocates for NPs on public policy, including scope of practice, funding for NP education, and multistate licensure. It also provides professional development activities, publishes journals and newsletters, and offers a career board.
– The AANPBC is an independent affiliate of the AANP. It manages board certification for several NP specialties, including the emergency nurse practitioner certification. The multiple-choice certification examination covers all aspects of emergency care, including diagnosis, patient management, and legal and ethical aspects of care.
– The Emergency Nurse Association is open to RNs and NPs. It offers ongoing professional development, including courses and conferences, publishes a journal and newsletter, and other tools for emergency nurses and provides member communities. Its Institute for Emergency Nursing Advanced Practice focuses on ERNP needs.
– The ANA is the largest nursing association in the world. It offers services for RNs and advanced practice nurses. Member services include professional development and education, advocacy for nurses at all levels, media campaigns and outreach to promote the value of nurses and nursing care, and networking opportunities.
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