Emergency Room (ER) Nurse Job Description Template

Image of content creator
Written by Danielle Roques, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
ER nurses rush a patient to surgery.

Emergency room (ER) nurses care for patients with a wide array of needs, ranging from broken bones to life-threatening illnesses. They need to be able to assess, communicate, and intervene in stressful and time-sensitive situations to preserve patient health and safety. Facility leaders looking to fill ER nurse vacancies often find it challenging to hire a qualified and experienced nurse, but creating a well-written ER nurse job description can help you find the professional nurses you need.

In this article, we provide a sample template to help you highlight the perks of working for your organization. We outline degree, licensure, and certification requirements necessary for success in emergency room nursing to help you recruit the best possible candidate. Check out these ER nurse job listings for additional insights.

Emergency Room (ER) Nurse

Tips: Begin your ER nurse job description by providing a brief introduction to your facility and the patient population you serve. Emergency rooms differ greatly depending on the location, size, and acuity of the facility. It’s important to outline the specifics of your ER nurse role to help nurse candidates understand whether the position is the right fit for them.

Listing safety certifications, accolades, and awards can showcase the high-quality care your team provides. Help nurses understand your organization’s mission, vision, and values to get them excited about joining your team.

Template:

Here at [Facility Name], our Level I Trauma Center specializes in providing emergency medical care to the sickest patients in our community. We’re developing our ER nursing team and are looking for experienced RNs to work in our downtown hospital.

Qualified applicants will have at least three years of experience working as a nurse in emergency, intensive care, emergency transport, or rapid response positions. We strive to treat patients with the compassion and respect they deserve. Continue reading below as we outline the skills, certifications, and requirements for the role — we’d love to have you as part of our team.

Benefits

Tips: Now that you’ve outlined your nurse role, dive right into the perks of working for your organization. Be sure to highlight unique professional, financial, and lifestyle benefits like tuition assistance or free gym membership. This is an excellent opportunity to show job candidates that your organization values work-life balance and prioritizes nurse well-being.

Template:

  • Health, dental, and vision benefits
  • FSA/HSA options
  • 401(k) matching
  • $10,000 sign-on bonus after completion of 2-year contract
  • Generous paid vacation/holiday/family leave
  • Free access to continuing education (CE) courses
  • Annual scrub and non-slip footwear stipend
  • Tuition reimbursement of up to $4,000 per year
  • Employee discount program for public transportation, restaurant certificates, travel packages, and more

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: This section of your job description should give potential applicants an idea of what it’s like to work at your facility. It’s important to differentiate your facility’s ER nurse requirements from the responsibilities of other emergency department staff roles like medical assistants and triage specialists.

Template:

Emergency room nurses at our facility are expected to perform the following duties:

  • Assess and triage incoming patients based on illness or injury severity
  • Monitor vital signs and document findings in the electronic health record (EHR)
  • Perform diagnostic tests and assist with bedside procedures to stabilize critically ill patients
  • Administer life-sustaining medications, resuscitative IV fluids, and blood products
  • Collaborate with the emergency room multidisciplinary team to establish treatment goals and develop care plans

Compensation and Schedule

Tips: Job candidates appreciate scheduling and pay transparency. Outlining hourly requirements and salary information in your ER nurse job description can help nurses weigh their options prior to submitting an application. Make sure to review shift times and lengths, and outline any holiday, weekend, and on-call scheduling requirements to avoid frustration and confusion later in the process.

Template:

  • Our ER nurse salary starts at $90,000, with adjustments subject to education level and relevant leadership experience
  • Overtime, holiday, and incentive pay available
  • $4/hour charge nurse and night shift differential
  • 4-week paid orientation period
  • 3 scheduled 12-hour day shifts (7a-7p) per week
  • Bi-weekly pay periods

Emergency Room Nurse Qualifications and Skills

Tips: What licensure and certification requirements are necessary to become an ER nurse at your facility? List behavioral traits and skills that may set a candidate apart from the rest. Provide required and preferred qualifications, making sure to note educational degree expectations and clinical experience needed.

Template:

Required Qualifications:

  • Active and unencumbered RN license
  • ADN required, BSN or MSN preferred
  • BLS, ACLS, and PALS certified
  • 3 years of experience working in an emergency or intensive care setting

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Previous leadership experience as a charge nurse, team lead, or resource team nurse
  • Certified Emergency Nurse Certification (CEN)
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish

Call to Action

Tips: Now that potential applicants have all of the job information, finish your ER nurse job description with a call to action and guide them through the next steps. Lead nurse candidates straight to the job application using a “Join Our Team Now” or “Apply Here” button. Make it easy for them to upload their resume and cover letter for a quick and easy application process.

Template:

Think you have what it takes? Join our emergency department team by clicking “apply now” — the application process is quick and easy. We look forward to hearing from you!

Find Professional Emergency Room Staff to Improve Patient Outcomes

Crafting an ER nurse job description is the first step in hiring high-quality nurses for your facility’s open position. Partner with IntelyCare to streamline the process. Our innovative staffing solutions can help you find the staff you need when you need them most.