Emergency room nurses typically are the front line of patient care when someone comes to the emergency room. Emergency room nurses are professionals who in a fast-paced and stressful area. They are often required to make quick decisions based on skill and experience.

These nurses provide initial care and evaluation of patients. They assess patients and provide necessary and quick care based on order of importance. Care can range from serious trauma to administering medications. Emergency room nurses must be able to cope with stress and deal with human suffering with professionalism.

ER nurses can work in hospitals or urgent care facilities. The environments they work in bring something different every day. These nurses typically work extended hours and spend much of that time on their feet standing talking with patients or moving from station to station. Most emergency rooms operate 24 hours each day and nurses can be on different shifts depending on needs of schedules. .

ER nurses need to determine the medical needs of patients on the spot. Often they face life-threatening injuries working with doctors and other healthcare staff. They must be independent and communicate effectively with others providers.

Job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be excellent, but may vary by employment and geographic setting. Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations.