Emergency nursing

Emergency Nursing is a specialty within the field of professional nursing focusing on the care of patients who require prompt medical attention to avoid long-term disability or death. In addition to addressing "true emergencies," emergency nurses increasingly care for people who are unwilling or unable to get primary medical care elsewhere and come to emergency departments for help.

History

The history of Emergency Nursing dates back to the time of the Crimean War, where nurses provided emergency care to wounded soldiers. The modern practice of emergency nursing began in the 1960s with the establishment of emergency departments in hospitals across the world.

Role and Responsibilities

Emergency nurses are endowed with specific skills, knowledge and attributes to provide care to critically ill or unstable patients and their families. They are trained to rapidly identify and treat life-threatening conditions, often in cases where the nature of patients' conditions are not known.

Education and Training

The education and training for Emergency Nursing varies worldwide. In the United States, for example, becoming an emergency nurse typically requires a Registered Nurse (RN) license and additional training in emergency care. Many nurses also choose to earn the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) certification.

Challenges

Emergency nurses face unique challenges including high patient volumes, long patient wait times, and violence in the emergency department. They often deal with patients in critical conditions, which can be emotionally taxing.

Associations

The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) is a professional organization representing emergency nurses. It provides continuing education, advocacy, and networking for its members, and also publishes the Journal of Emergency Nursing.

See Also

• Nursing
• Critical Care Nursing
• Trauma Nursing