You had already worked seven rough hours when the EMS call came in: my 3-week-old son wasn't breathing. ER shifts are unpredictable and chaotic, and I knew you were tired, hungry, and counting down the hours to home. None of that showed when they rolled him in on the stretcher. You were already waiting in the room.
At that moment my son was your son. Your feet didn't ache, your stomach didn't growl. The only person in the world was my baby boy. You worked with precision and skill, taking orders and performing with excellence. Doctors, lab techs, respiratory therapists, and radiology techs filled the bedside. I was pushed aside while everyone worked to figure out what was wrong. But a nurse stayed with me, asking questions, telling me my boy was breathing and okay. I couldn't think. All I could do was sit and stare in fear. There is nothing more frightening for a parent than thinking you've lost a child. You knew that, because you were a parent too.
You kept him breathing, swaddled and warm with his favorite pacifier. You answered every question and came running each time I thought he had stopped breathing again. Once he was comfortable, you moved on to other patients of every age and illness, and gave them the same care you gave my son.
ER nurses rarely get a specific thank-you. They stabilize patients and move them to the next stage of care. But they work the frontline, and they save lives. This one is for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an emergency room nurse do? ER nurses assess and triage patients as they arrive, stabilize life-threatening conditions, start treatments, monitor for fast changes, and coordinate with physicians and the rest of the care team. They handle everything from minor injuries to cardiac arrests, often several patients at once.
How busy are US emergency departments? Very. US emergency departments log about 155 million visits a year (CDC), which is why pace and triage skill define the job.
How do you become an ER nurse? Earn an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, pass the NCLEX-RN to become a licensed registered nurse, then gain emergency or acute-care experience (BLS). Many nurses add certifications like CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) and courses such as ACLS, PALS, and TNCC.
What skills make a good ER nurse? Fast clinical judgment, calm under pressure, sharp assessment and triage, clear communication with frightened patients and families, and the stamina to stay precise across a long, unpredictable shift.
How much do ER nurses earn? Emergency nurses are registered nurses, whose median wage was $93,600 in May 2024, with the top 10% earning more than $135,320 (BLS). Pay varies by experience, certification, region, and facility.