ER Nurse requirements by state

BULLYDAWGRN, RN · Jun 3, 2007

In Ms you are just required to have a liscence. The ER director ussually decided if your experience/education is enough for that position.

zozzy777 · Jun 3, 2007

What you will find is every ER is different. They may say they require ICU experience, but they don't always stick to that. I strongly encourage you to apply no matter what they ask for. A lot of ER's now will even take new graduates and they have long orientation programs to accomodate them. So apply to where you want to and see what happen! You never know!! :balloons:

TazziRN, RN · Jun 3, 2007

I've never heard of the state regulating requirements for each unit. I know of places that require experience in another unit, but I have worked in 2 ERs that will hire and train new grads.

rsauten · Jun 3, 2007

i was just hired into the ER. i was a nurse tech for 1 year, and that is the only experience i have. the hospital has a decent preceptorship...3 months or so.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2007

We don't have state requirements. However, if the ED has a trauma designation there are requirements, especially as they pertain to the skill mix and continuing education. Those requirements are covered by facility policy.

Dinith88 · Jun 3, 2007

What are the requirements in your state to move into an ER Nurse position? I am in new york and they require that you have one year acute care experience (ICU/CCU is usually preferred) or are in an approved year long ER Nurse training program. I know this varies state by state. I have 6mo. Med-surg/tele and 6 mo acute psych (charge) experience and I am looking to relocate somewhere (anywhere is US) where I can get into some kind of ER training program. I am working with a recruitment company for direct hire and am wondering what areas might be an option. Any information about your states regulations would be appreciated. Thanks!
(I know some folks will think I am nuts and don't have enough background but I have an extensive background in emergency medicine as an Army Medic which involved doing a lot of what ER Nurses do in the civilian world. Also I spent 4 years in an ER assisting in medical clearance of psych patients. This won't make up for lack of experience but will give me an edge. I don't pretend to know what I need to know which is why I am specifically seeking a position where I will be given an extensive training period.)

It's a facility preference...not a state regulation. No need for icu-type experience, though that always helps. Really just depends on how much need the er/hospital has.

arabianeyez83 · Jun 3, 2007

I work in detroit, Mi Level 1 Trauma Center....They hire new graduates, we have a 4 month orientation process, Good preceptors, everybody is great and laid back, we have alot of fun, we see alot of interesting things. we see alot of everything.. You do not need ICU experience. Let me know if you need more information.. Good luck

loricatus · Jun 3, 2007

I was told the same thing as you about the requirements for NY State; and, was put into a 1 year ED training program because I had a little less than 1 year ICU experience beforehand. I have heard that all of New York State has this requirement; but, I cannot find the actual regulation anywhere. If it helps, the 1 year program in NYS is in name only-you actually are acting as a fully functional ED nurse within 6 months. So, if you wish to move to another state, you would be considered an experienced ED nurse there (especially if you get your CEN). Only if staying in NY would you have to wait until your one year mark to be considered for an experienced emergency nurse position elsewhere.

Have no idea why NY is different. Does anyone know where these rules/regs can be found to back up what the NY hospitals say they must comply with?

Maverick80 · Jun 3, 2007

i work as a tech in the ER. The only way they will hire you as a new grad is one you have to be a BSN and 2 you have to have been a tech. Otherwise you can work on the floors dosn't matter where and then get hired in. You can have a 2 year or a 4 year degree, but we do not hire any LPN's. Most of the nurses are hired are tech's as new grads or nurses come down from the floors, otherwise i think you have to have either a year of ER experience or critical care. New grad's although they do deal with Stemi's and strokes sometimes they do not usually train to the front 8 rooms (the most critical and trauma's) until at least a year after they started. ICU patients are not always in the front 8 rooms!! i work at a 39 bed level one trauma center who sees over 70,000 paitents a year, it's a crazy place!!!

Altra, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2007

I was told the same thing as you about the requirements for NY State; and, was put into a 1 year ED training program because I had a little less than 1 year ICU experience beforehand. I have heard that all of New York State has this requirement; but, I cannot find the actual regulation anywhere. If it helps, the 1 year program in NYS is in name only-you actually are acting as a fully functional ED nurse within 6 months. So, if you wish to move to another state, you would be considered an experienced ED nurse there (especially if you get your CEN). Only if staying in NY would you have to wait until your one year mark to be considered for an experienced emergency nurse position elsewhere.
Have no idea why NY is different. Does anyone know where these rules/regs can be found to back up what the NY hospitals say they must comply with?

I'd be very surprised if these "regs" were actually contained in the NY Nurse Practice Act or elsewhere in NY state law.

Does NY have a strong, statewide nurses' union (similar to CA)? If so, that may be the source of these terms.