Emergency nursing
Encyclopedia
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 yet been made and the cause of the problem is not known. Emergency nurses also deal with non-emergent populations that present with non-life threatening issues as well.
Currently there are approximately 17,500 CENs.
Currently the CEN exam has 175 questions of which 150 are used for testing purposes (25 are sample questions). The passing score is 75% and the candidate has 3 hours to take the exam. The test is administered in testing centers nationwide.
grading system, ENPs are typically graded 'F' or Band 7.
who assesses, diagnoses, and treats a variety of common illnesses, injuries and disease processes in emergency care settings. ENPs are trained in advanced nursing and medical skills such as x-ray
interpretation, ophthalmic slit lamp examination, suturing, local
and regional anesthesia
, abscess
incision and drainage, advanced airway techniques, fracture reduction, and casting
and splinting
.
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.
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
specialty in which nurses care for patients in the emergency or critical phase of their illness
Illness
Illness is a state of poor health. Illness is sometimes considered another word for disease. Others maintain that fine distinctions exist...
or injury
Injury
-By cause:*Traumatic injury, a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident*Other injuries from external physical causes, such as radiation injury, burn injury or frostbite*Injury from infection...
.
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
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of anything. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines with variations in the use of logics, analytics, and experience to determine the cause and effect relationships...
has not yet been made and the cause of the problem is not known. Emergency nurses also deal with non-emergent populations that present with non-life threatening issues as well.
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN, USA)
A licensed, Registered Nurse, who has demonstrated expertise in emergency nursing by passing a computer-administered examination given by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). The BCEN is a division of the Emergency Nurses' Association (ENA). The certification is valid for four years, and can be renewed either by passing another examination or by completing 100 continuing education units (CEUs) in the specialty. There is also an online "open book exam" renewal option.Currently there are approximately 17,500 CENs.
Currently the CEN exam has 175 questions of which 150 are used for testing purposes (25 are sample questions). The passing score is 75% and the candidate has 3 hours to take the exam. The test is administered in testing centers nationwide.
In the UK
A specialist nurse who will independently assess, diagnose, investigate, and treat a wide range of common accidents and injuries working autonomously without reference to medical staff. They primarily treat a wide range of musculoskeletal problems, skin problems and minor illness. They are trained in advanced nursing skills. Under the National Health ServiceNational Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
grading system, ENPs are typically graded 'F' or Band 7.
In the US
An advanced practice nurseAdvanced practice nurse
An advanced practice registered nurse is a nurse with advanced didactic and clinical education, knowledge, skills, and scope of practice in nursing....
who assesses, diagnoses, and treats a variety of common illnesses, injuries and disease processes in emergency care settings. ENPs are trained in advanced nursing and medical skills such as x-ray
Radiography
Radiography is the use of X-rays to view a non-uniformly composed material such as the human body. By using the physical properties of the ray an image can be developed which displays areas of different density and composition....
interpretation, ophthalmic slit lamp examination, suturing, local
Local anesthetic
A local anesthetic is a drug that causes reversible local anesthesia, generally for the aim of having local analgesic effect, that is, inducing absence of pain sensation, although other local senses are often affected as well...
and regional anesthesia
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
, abscess
Abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus that has accumulated in a cavity formed by the tissue in which the pus resides due to an infectious process or other foreign materials...
incision and drainage, advanced airway techniques, fracture reduction, and casting
Orthopedic cast
An orthopedic cast, body cast or surgical cast, is a shell, frequently made from plaster, encasing a limb to hold a broken bone in place until healing is confirmed...
and splinting
Splint (medicine)
A splint is a device used for support or immobilization of limbs or of the spine.It can be used:* By the emergency medical services or by volunteer first responders, to immobilize a fractured limb before the transportation; it is then a temporary immobilization;* By allied health professionals such...
.
Emergency Care Practitioner (UK)
A specialist nurse or specialist paramedicParamedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
who works in the pre-hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
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
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
which has resulted in doctors
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
(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.
Additional Emergency Nursing Training and Qualifications
- ATNC - Advanced Trauma Nursing Course
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support
- ENPC - Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course
- MICN - Mobile Intensive Care Nurse
- PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- PHEC - Pre-Hospital Emergency Care
- TNCC - Trauma Nursing Core Course