ER Nursing, Is it considered critical care?

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I am a first year nursing student. I do not have any experience in the health care industry. I am wondering if ER nursing is considered critical care? Also, what areas are considered critical care?:typing

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.
I am a first year nursing student. I do not have any experience in the health care industry. I am wondering if ER nursing is considered critical care? Also, what areas are considered critical care?:typing

That's a tough one. Yes at time one can be taking care of a critically ill pt but many ER nurses have limited experience with the on going management of drips, vents, and invasive hemodynamics (unless they have worked in a ICU).

I speak from experience - as a new grad 20 yrs ago I went straight to ER and after a few years then transferred to ICU specifically to learn more about taking care of critically ill patients and to learn things like vents, swans, and multiple vasoactive drip management.

FYI - when one is applying to CRNA school they want to see critical care experience and ER does not count.

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:typing Does anyone have any advice on how a new grad can get a job in the ER? I've heard it's shark territory for new grads but I'm up for the challenge. :heartbeat Any advice out there?

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I worked as a ER tech through nursing school and then applied right out of school. I won't hurt to have volunteer ambulance experience and or your EMT as well.

But you won't know until you apply - so go for it!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.
:typingThanks Everybody for all the info. Yes I was asking because I would like to continue my education to become a nurse practitioner, however I really want to work in the ER:heartbeat. I'm not sure if aspiring nurse practitioners tend to lean toward one area or another and was just trying to see what the story is.

First off give yourself time to learn how to be a nurse first then go for the FNP. I actually think that ER is a good training ground for FNP or ACNP just because of the variety of patients, injures and illnesses that you are exposed to in just one shift. In addition, many hospitals are using mid level practitioners and working in a ER you get to see the role first hand.

After years of working in ICUs and progressive care I am now returning to the ER because I want to refresh my triage, assessment, and treatment skills in preparation of starting a FNP program in January (part time). I also don't know what area I want to eventually work in as a FNP, but I do know that I am tired of taking care of post op hearts and lungs.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
What state board of nursing are issuing specialty certifications???

I thought the state just issued a "license" to practice.

-MB

Sorry for my lack of knowledge on the subject. I thought it was the state that issued specialty certifications.

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.

This question always bothers a certain segment of ER nurses. ER nurses do see critically sick patients.

But...they also see OB patients, pediatrics, medical, psychaitric, office-types, etc...

So...to call an ER nurse a 'critical care' nurse would be like calling an ER nurse a 'pediatric nurse' or an 'office nurse' (in fact, 'office-type' patients are more the norm than any others)...etc. etc.

ER nurses are like 'jack of all trades' nurses...who get a smattering of everything. (including a smattering of critically sick patients)

They are not critical care 'specialists'. Just as they're not OB specialists, or pediatric specialists, psych nurses, etc.

And as far as AACN 'classification' of critical care nurses is concerened, they also include recovery-room nurses, IMCU/tele nurses, etc.

Anyone who is ACLS certified and can read telemetry can call themsleves a 'critical-care' nurse...and have an argument why.

And pump their chest (and egos) a bit...

:yeah:

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So...if I am taking care of an ICU pt in the ED who is vented and has 4 drips hanging, a Hare traction splint, A-line and restraints, in addition to, another ICU patient with multiple rib fractures and bilat pulmonary contusions a skull fracture, and [bTW] is also vented....

Then...I am not performing the duties of a critical care nurse?

If you say so.

I would rather be schooled in all aspects of emergency medicine anyway; otherwise, I would just take a position in one of the critical care units.

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.
So...if I am taking care of an ICU pt in the ED who is vented and has 4 drips hanging, a Hare traction splint, A-line and restraints, in addition to, another ICU patient with multiple rib fractures and bilat pulmonary contusions a skull fracture, and [bTW] is also vented....

Then...I am not performing the duties of a critical care nurse?

If you say so.

I would rather be schooled in all aspects of emergency medicine anyway; otherwise, I would just take a position in one of the critical care units.

and..what if a patient strolls in having contractions...(duties of OB nurse)...hallucinations (psych nurse)...headache or diahhrea(sp?) (office?)....are you not performing these duties as well?

Sounds like you're very concerned about others' perceptions... of course you take care of critically sick patients...but all the time? nope. In any given shift (in 95% of the USA's ER's) there is a very good chance you WONT be caring for a critical-care type patient.

And are you more of a critical-care nurse than the tele/IMCU nurse with 5 patients on 10 drips? (would 15 drips impress you more?) in addition to a crazy-needy patient with a nut-ball family?? Or the recovery-room nurse with two or three vented patients on 10(15?) drips?

You see, 'critical-care' nurses come is several varieties... but... critical-care 'specialists' dont work in ER (neither do pediatric specialists...or psych specialists, etc. ad nauseum)

ER specialists do.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.
I wouldn't use your comment above as a true definition.

ANY RN from any work setting is eligible to become CEN.

Likewise ANY RN can sit for the Flight Nurse exam.

I'm sure there are other specialities that are open to ANY RN in any setting.

So board eligibility alone wouldn't define critical care.

-MB

But, what you neglected is that not any RN can be board eligible for the CCRN exam; therefore, I stand by my statement that ER nurse are critical care nurses because they are included in the eligibility requirements for taking the critical care nursing boards.

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Other people's perceptions has nothing to do with it. I actually asked a question and you ran ahead and hammered me with your answer.

What do you site as your source for ED nurses not caring for a critically ill patient during their shift? I would like to read that article for more information.

[Oh yeah, it's diarrhea.]:up:

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.
Other people's perceptions has nothing to do with it. I actually asked a question and you ran ahead and hammered me with your answer.

What do you site as your source for ED nurses not caring for a critically ill patient during their shift? I would like to read that article for more information.

[Oh yeah, it's diarrhea.]:up:

You want an article? :rolleyes:

I digress.

you are a critical care nurse. :up:

and an OB nurse...

and a pediatric nurse...

and an office nurse...

and a psychiatric nurse...

and you know how to spell diarrhea...

and...

:smokin:

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What is your problem? If you choose not to answer the question then don't.

Don't worry, you're "critical care kingdom" is not in jeopardy from this "ED Specialist". We'll keep sending them to you to receive care from the critical care specialists.:bow:

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