becoming a ER RN

Depends on how you pitch yourself!

Discussing EKGs, blood draws, and understanding of labs would be great. A lot of hospitals focus on pt satisfaction, so that is always a plus.

You're talking about a job as a tech? If so, then what libran said is good advice.

As an RN.

For the sake of discussion, I assume you'll apply to an ER straight out of nursing school w/ 5yrs medical assisting experience: Certainly any medical background is a bonus. It would set you apart from your plain vanilla new grad w/o any prior medical experience.

However, understand that every ED is different and the hiring practices/preferences usually come down to the ED Director, as well as the local nursing market conditions. Some ED's are open to hiring new grads, some aren't. Some areas are saturated with nurses, some aren't.

The best thing to do is to try to get on as a tech or a nurse aide, get to know people, help out as much as you can, be nice, join the Emergency Nurses Association (and go to meetings!), don't complain, work hard and finally, bring doughnuts and coffee in from time to time.

I wish you the best.