Certified Emergency Nurse Course and Training
Read about initial and continuing education courses that train emergency nurses. Investigate the requirements and process for specialty professional certification.
What You Need to Know
Emergency nurses are registered nurses who work in the emergency department of a hospital or health care facility. Schooling is rigorous and available at the diploma and certificate levels. Some of the courses you might expect to take include nutrition, patient assessment and physiology.
| Programs | Associate of Science or Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Diplomas, Certificates, Continuing Education |
| Courses | Nutrition, pathophysiology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacotherapeutics, health assessment, community health nursing |
| Responsibilities | Initial patient assessment; perform emergency response procedures; cooperate with other health care workers |
| Median Salary (2021)* | $77,600 for all registered nurses |
| Job Outlook (2021-2031)* | 6% for all registered nurses |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Does a Certified Emergency Nurse Do?
As an emergency nurse, you will assess, triage and stabilize patients with uncontrolled bleeding, and cardiac, respiratory and obstetric emergencies. You will take the skills learned in your nursing degree or diploma program and apply them in a high-stress, fast-paced atmosphere. Most likely, you will work for a hospital or ambulatory care facility. Emergencies happen around the clock, so you can expect evening and weekend shifts. In addition to medical skills, you must possess the ability to stay calm under pressure.
What Kind of Degree Do I Need?
To become a registered nurse, you can complete either a diploma, Associate of Science or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Each of these should prepare you to pass the national registered nursing exam. Your nursing courses should cover subjects such as:
- Physiology
- Anatomy
- Pharmacology
- Patient care
- Nutrition
Your coursework should also include basic skills in patient communication and emergency medicine. You can take the opportunity to gain experience in emergency care when choosing a practicum as part of your required studies. You will also find programs designed for licensed emergency medical technicians seeking a nursing degree.
What Kinds of Certificates Are Available?
A few certificate programs or continuing education courses in emergency nursing are available. These are certificate courses designed to prepare you for the Certified Emergency Nurse exam. You will cover subjects such as communicating with patients and their families, assessing emergencies and moving patients safely. Your coursework may also cover common emergencies like heart and respiratory emergencies, as well as excessive bleeding, burns and animal-related emergencies.
How Can I Get Certified?
Certification is offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. The exam is open to registered nurses with two years of emergency experience. You will cover cardiac, gastrointestinal, obstetrical, ocular, neurological, orthopedic, respiratory and toxicological emergencies. The exam consists of 175 questions; 25 of the questions are not scored. You are required to get 70% of the questions correct to pass.