To become a certified emergency nurse, an individual must first become a registered nurse. This involves completing a two-year associate degree in nursing, a three-year hospital-administered nursing diploma or a four-year nursing bachelor's degree. These programs usually require students to complete a certain number of supervised practical experience hours in addition to courses on subjects such as pharmacology, human physiology and critical care nursing, according to Western Governors University. Students who are interested in triage or critical care work also can take certification courses in life support and concentrate of the areas of emergency nursing and trauma. After graduating from a state-approved nursing school, students then must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
Registered nurses who want to become certified emergency nurses first usually become exposed to several areas of nursing for at least a year or two. However, they can immediately claim an emergency nurse role if they have the proper personal and professional skills. These individuals also can complete professional training for a variety of trauma situations. These situations can include orthopedic, obstetrical, respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological emergencies. Formal orientation programs at hospitals and medical centers should last at least three to six months and thoroughly introduce new nursing graduates to the emergency department, according to the Emergency Nurses Association. Gaining training in cardiac and surgical nursing is especially helpful for aspiring certified emergency nurses because these specialties require nurses to be quick-thinking in applying medical concepts.
With training and years of experience in assessing and responding to emergency situation calls, emergency nurses can become voluntarily certified. To do this, they must pass an exam administered by the Board of Certification in Emergency Nursing of the Emergency Nurses Association. The exam covers several areas of medicine such as substance abuse, wound management and communicable diseases. The Certified Emergency Nurse credential aims to encourage these professionals to participate in continuing education and to provide a universal standard for emergency nursing.
Certified emergency nurses can work in a wide range of locations such as hospital emergency departments, emergency care centers and emergency medical services/pre-hospital transport. These professionals also can find jobs in prisons/correctional facilities, federal and state governmental agencies, crisis intervention centers, the military, corporations/businesses and even a telephone triage. They additionally can work in administration or work for colleges or research institutes. Certified emergency nurses can even do flight nursing in helicopters or airplanes.
Employment of registered nurses, which includes certified emergency nurses, is expected to increase by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary of a certified emergency nurse in 2010 was $46,000, according to SimplyHired.com.