Emergency nursing

Emergency Nursing is a nursing specialty in which nurses care for patients in the emergency or critical phase of their illness or injury.

While this is common to many nursing specialties, the key difference is that an emergency nurse is skilled at dealing with people in the phase when a diagnosis has not been made and the cause of the problem is not known.

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN, USA)
A licensed registered nurse, (RN), who has shown expertise in emergency nursing by passing a written, (or computer) examination administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) of the Emergency Nurses' Association (ENA). The certification remains in effect for four years, and can be renewed either by passing another examination, or by documentation showing a specified number of continuing education credit hours in the specialty. The ENA and others publish study materials for preparation, although a first-time applicant is encouraged to have at least two years' experience in the clinical area.

Emergency Nurse Practitioner (UK)
A specialist nurse who will independently assess, diagnose, investigate, and treat a wide range of common accidents and injuries. They primarily treat a wide range of musculoskeletal problems, skin problems, and are experts in wound management. They are trained in advanced nursing skills which are very medical in nature - such as taking a full medical history and examination, x-ray interpretation, prescribing, suturing, & plastering.

Emergency Care Practitioner (UK)
A specialist nurse or specialist paramedic who works in the pre-hospital setting dealing with a wide range of medical or emergency problems. Their primary function is to assess, diagnose and treat a patient in the home in an emergency setting.

This is a new profession that has developed as a result of political changes in the United Kingdom which has resulted in doctors (general practitioners) opting out of "out of hours" medical care in many areas. This role is now being fulfilled by ECP's in many areas - and has been shown to reduce emergency admissions to hospital.

Post Registration Emergency Nursing Training and Qualifications
TNCC - Trauma Nursing Core Course

ATNC - Advanced Trauma Nursing Course

ALS - Advanced Life Support

ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support

PHEC - Pre-Hospital Emergency Care

DipIMC - Diploma in Immediate Medical Care (Royal College of Surgeons - Edinburgh)

References/Links
Emergency Nurses Association - Scope of Emergency Nursing Practice

RCS Edinburgh - Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care

Emergency Nurse

impactednurse.com - blog of an emergency nurse