Emergency Room Registered Nurse (ER RN) Jobs

ER RN Jobs Overview

Are you ready to put your experience and training to the test by working in one of the most challenging areas of nursing? The emergency department, or “emergency room” (ER), relies on highly skilled RNs who handle stressful situations with grace and are adept at multitasking. ER RN jobs are in high demand, in line with the projected ongoing shortage of RNs in most facilities that hire nurses.

ER nurses must be able to juggle multiple patients with varying needs, from those presenting with flu-like symptoms to victims of violent crime or other traumatic events. If you’re searching for RN ER jobs, IntelyCare’s job board has plenty of listings for full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and per diem RN opportunities. You can also pursue related roles like urgent care RN jobs and med-surg RN jobs.

RN Jobs in the ER: Education, Certification, and Key Skills

To become an RN, you must first earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited educational institution. Keep in mind that most employers prefer a BSN, especially for high-pressure environments such as the ER. During your time in nursing school, you’ll learn a broad set of skills that apply to most nursing roles, including advanced physiology, health assessment, and pharmacology.

After you graduate from nursing school, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) as a condition of getting your RN license, which demonstrates your competence in basic nursing skills.

As a newly licensed RN, you’ll work in a nurse residency program for a year or two, ideally in the ER or a similar environment to build your nursing skill set. While residencies aren’t always necessary for new nurses, most hospitals require it and it’s a common pathway for aspiring ER RNs.

Given the challenging nature and high stakes of ER RN jobs, you may also want to pursue formal certification in a few clinical disciplines. In fact, most hospitals require their RNs to complete certain certifications in the course of their employment. RNs hoping to work in the ER might consider the following certifications:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
• Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)

All nurses need to be highly competent problem solvers, with the right blend of clinical expertise and empathy. ER RNs, however, must thrive in a fast-paced environment and be ready to take on new challenges at any given moment. RNs are more likely to be successful in the ER if they’re able to master certain soft skills, including the following:

• Effective communication
• Creative problem-solving
• Stress-management
• Critical thinking
• Cultural competence

ER RN Jobs: Cover Letter and Resume

As a job applicant, your cover letter and resume will form a hiring manager’s first impression of you. That’s why it’s so important to take your time with these, making sure they’re specific to the exact role (as opposed to taking a cookie-cutter approach). A targeted, personalized application will signal to prospective employers that you understand the role and have taken the time to research the facility.

Your ER RN resume should reflect the main skills and requirements listed on the job description. While this may seem self-evident, it’s important because many employers use software to screen applications by looking for certain keywords related to the desired skills and qualifications.

When writing your ER nurse cover letter, your goal should be to highlight your competitive edge as a candidate while making a human connection. This might even include experiences unrelated to healthcare, such as military service or transferable professional skills. Be sure to show hiring managers that you have what it takes to thrive in the fast-paced environment of the ER instead of simply reiterating what’s already on your resume.

ER RN Jobs: Preparing for the Interview

The next step in the process is the job interview (sometimes a series of interviews). This will go beyond what’s on your resume and cover letter, so you’ll want to prepare ahead of time. Keep in mind that an ER registered nurse will be expected to think on their feet and multitask, so the way in which you answer an employer’s questions, and your demeanor in general, will help them decide whether you’re the right fit.

Questions will gauge your personal interest and motivations for pursuing this role, penchant for making difficult decisions in a fast-paced environment, ability to remain calm and sharp in chaotic situations, and other important aspects of working in the ER. You’ll want to review common ER nurse interview questions and think about possible answers.

Some of the questions you may want to consider include:

• Why do you want to work in the ER?
• What would you do if you were given conflicting information about an ER patient?
• ER work can be particularly stressful. How do you manage stress and take care of your own well-being?

ER RN Jobs: Salary and Compensation

You can expect to earn an average ER RN salary of $78,654 per year. Of course, this number depends on several factors such as your years of experience, level of education, certifications, facility, and location. Some of the highest-paying states for RNs include:

• California
• Hawaii
• Oregon
• Washington
• New York

If you want to get a better idea of how much you can earn as an ER RN in your location, take a look at the relevant job listings on IntelyCare.

Find Your Ideal Nursing Role Today

If you’re ready to take that next step and apply for ER RN jobs that match your skills and experience, our nationwide nursing job board can help point you in the right direction. Want additional options? Explore all the latest RN jobs today.