BSN -ER focus??

RunnerRN, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2007

As far as I know (and I haven't researched this at all....just know from talking to people) there are NO ED focused programs out there. Actually, most completely brush over emergency care, and if you ask they tell you to "wait and learn on the job if you go in the ER." Best way to go on this is get your BSN (if that's what you want) then go through an ED fellowship program to learn emergency nursing.

Good luck!

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2007

While you probably won't find any BSN programs with an ED specialization per se, an increasing number of programs are offering students some sort of senior practicum that involves extended clinical time in a high-acuity setting like ER or ICU.

mmutk, BSN, RN, EMT-I · Mar 3, 2007

Ha!

I haven't heard of any BSN programs around here that have an ER specialty seems more likely to get one via a ADN or MSN program.

carachel2 · Mar 4, 2007

I don't know about an E.R. specialty, but a lot of BSN programs have pretty intensive summer electives. I took an ER/trauma elective when I was a Sr. nursing student and was required to spend about 200-250 hours in the E.R. that summer...I learned a LOT.

Ginger35 · Mar 4, 2007

Hi There,

If your BSN program does not offer this extra critical care / trauma course - If you can, perhaps you could work as a tech in the ER part time or PRN? It sounds like you have the experience out in the field. I have seen medics & nursing students do this and many have went into an ER position after graduating.

Hope this helps,

Ginger

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 4, 2007

The BSN degree is an entry-level degree into the profession. Therefore, the graduates of BSN programs are prepared as generalists, not as specialists. At least that's the way it is in the United States.

However, many generic BSN programs offer students their students an opportunity to focus on a specific clinical area as they do an indepth senior year practicum or preceptorship.

BSN completion programs rarely include those types of clinical classes because those programs are designed differently. They are designed for RN's who are already clinically competent at the introductory level of nursing. So, they don't include the same type of "clinical rotations" that a generic BSN program would include. BSN completion programs assume that the student is already a competent practicing RN and that the student is returning to school to qualify for positions in leadership (such as management, education, or advanced clinical specialization that requires a Master's Degree.) So ... most BSN completion programs as designed to prepare the student for leadership positions and/or graduate school.

You'll find more opportunites to specialize in a specific clinical area at the Master's or Doctoral level of education. The BSN is a stepping stone to get to the graduate level of specialization.

My suggestion is to get a job in an ED after you graduate where you will learn about ED nursing. Then, as you do various projects and papers in your BSN program, focus those projects on topics related to ED nursing. Most BSN completion projects include a variety of projects that give the student an opportunity to tailor the assignment to include topics of interest to the student. For example ... an assignment might ask you to describe how you would use a particular nursing theory in your practice ... or to choose a problem or issue in your practice and design a research study to explore that topic. You should be able to integrate your interest in ED into your BSN program through such assignments.