Differences Between an ER Tech and an ER Nurse

Emergency Room (ER) Technicians and Emergency Room (ER) Nurses both play crucial roles in emergency care settings, but their responsibilities, education, and scope of practice differ significantly. In this article, we'll walk through the key differences between the two professions. Nursing Students Student Assist Article

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  ER Technician ER Nurse
Education
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • EMT or paramedic training
  • Nursing degree (ADN or BSN)
  • Pass the NCLEX-RN
Scope of Role Basic patient care, assisting nurses and physicians More comprehensive patient care, medication administration, and patient assessments
Decision-making Authority Limited, supervised by nurse or physician Greater autonomy
Salary $35,470 (2021)1 $77,600 per year (2021)2

 

STAFF NOTE: Original Community Post 

This article was created in response to a community post. The comments and responses have been left intact as they may be helpful. Here's the original post:

Quote

Hi everyone, I just had a random question. My best friend who was a CNA for 6 months got a job as an ER Tech. Im a nursing student right now. She always talks about the things that she does, EKG's, blood, etc. She "claims" that she does more than the nurses.

This really bothers me because she's kind of talking about it like she's better. So I want to know what the differences are.

 

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wackyj2000

About wackyj2000

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Specializes in Emergency.

i'm a nursing student and an ER tech right now. its true that tech's do a lot of things that on any other floor, a nurse might do. but to me, the huge difference between techs and RN's is this:

ASSESSMENT and CRITICAL THINKING.

a tech might do the 'technical' procedure, like put in a foley or get an ekg, but the nurse, he/she knows why that procedure may be needed, may recommend it to the doc, can assess prior to/after the procedure, and then incorporate all of that into the overall picture of the patient's condition and go on from there. a good tech may pick up on some of this and communicate (as appropriate) with the nurse, but it is not in their scope of practice to do so. they are the "hands" for the "brains" of the nurse.

i should also add that where your friend comes off as thinking she's "better" than the nurses: just like cnas and nurses, both must do their jobs WELL for the best patient care.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Techs are CNA's that may draw blood, do CBS, help with minor things like dressings, transport patients that are very stable and that do not require cardiac monitoring. They do not by any means do more than nurses!

Nurses assess the patient, provide treatments, and administer medications, start IV's etc..

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