Will ER nurses help me answer a few questions, please??

[mcao11]

I really want to be an ER nurse. I'm currently in an associate nursing program and would like to know what steps you took to get from an RN to ER nurse, education-wise?

Once you've become an ER nurse, are there courses or training that you need to take every so often in order to keep your license?

What are some things you like and don't like about being an ER nurse?

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

I have been in the ER for 6 years. Started in a little ER when I was a new grad. Now I work in a level 1 trauma center. If I could do it over again I would go straight into a level 1 Truma center. You get everything there and learn so much more. It's great experience but I am starting to get tired of it. Best of luck to you

Trauma nursing is my goal! Don't you have to have a BSN and then your TNCC to be a trauma nurse? I am getting my ADN starting in August then my BSN after that and will do whatever it takes to be a trauma nurse!

[hardworkinmama]

Trauma nursing is my goal! Don't you have to have a BSN and then your TNCC to be a trauma nurse? I am getting my ADN starting in August then my BSN after that and will do whatever it takes to be a trauma nurse!

The hospital that hired me (new grad ER) also offers a trauma/CCU residency & they did require BSN. So at least 1 hospital does require that. TNCC you would probably be expected to earn while you work there as you have to have hours in order to take the exam (if I remember right)

[mcao11]

Thank you for the reply, floridaRN38, and turnforthenurseRN :)

Trauma nursing is my goal! Don't you have to have a BSN and then your TNCC to be a trauma nurse? I am getting my ADN starting in August then my BSN after that and will do whatever it takes to be a trauma nurse!

I work in a L-1 center and we hire only BSNs, except for some of the travelers. That's specific to each hospital, though.

TNCC is no big deal... just a two-day class.

I recently took the TCAR class and found it to be at least as good as TNCC.

ANTC or ATNC or whatever it is (from STN) is said to be the best of the group.

I don't know how the other places work but we don't have 'trauma nurses.' We all take our turns in various roles. For example, last shift I was in the high acuity pod and drew an icu iassignment, 1 trauma and 1 medical (and we were slammed so I helped out a lot with some other patients and had another lower trauma). One of the gals in the low acuity pod ended up with an ARDS patient who totally crumped. tonight I'm drawing the trauma rooms.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

If you are looking for more info try using the search box in upper right corner. This query has generated other responses you may wish to look at.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Trauma nursing is my goal! Don't you have to have a BSN and then your TNCC to be a trauma nurse? I am getting my ADN starting in August then my BSN after that and will do whatever it takes to be a trauma nurse!

No, you do not have to have a BSN ... although many Level I trauma centers are teaching / university-affiliated hospitals and they may have a hiring preference for BSNs ... but if so this will be true for all nurses hired at that hospital, not just trauma nurses.

And when you say "trauma nursing" ... In the vast majority of ERs all ER nurses rotate through all different assignments. Some days you'll be assigned the trauma bays ... other days you'll be taking care of ankle sprains and belly aches. Realize, too, that even in a Level I trauma center -- you'll see workplace accidents and high-speed motor vehicle crashes, but also the guy who lives down the street from the hospital who has a toothache. Trauma patients are only a small portion of the total patient volume.

Some hospitals have trauma ICUs, dedicated to the ongoing care of patients whose injuries require ICU-level care. Your interest may lie there.

[al7139, ASN, RN]

Ive been an ER nurse for 2 1/2 years before that tele on a unit. I will NEVER go back to floor nursing. We have to have BLS, ACLS, PALS and TNCC and they prefer CEN cert as well. I had to go agency and task in the ED and get recs from the nurses I worked with to get hired, but it was worth it, I wouldn't do anything else now.

[Kidrn911]

Also other certifications would be Pals and ENPC and CEN

[1Cor1313]

In our ER we are required to be certified in BLS (Basic), ACLS (Advanced Cardio), TNCC (Trauma), ENPC/PALS (Peds). In addition our hospital requires department specific web based competencies we must complete each year. Best of luck in your endeavors! :)

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

I worked for a year in a medical stepdown, basically a MICU overflow. I recently accepted a position in our ED.

I think already being ACLS certified and used to intubation and codes helped me, not to mention familiarity with the elderly CHF/COPD/PNA/HHNC/DKA/GIB/ETOH/Drug/psych population.