Being able to make fast and accurate decisions is a vital skill for nurses working in a hospital emergency room. However, being an ER nurse also requires the ability to adapt to change on the fly. Emergency Room staff see a daily volume of arriving patients and treatment needs that can vary tremendously. Hiring managers always seem to appreciate a nurse with adaptability combined with state-of-the-art clinical skills, so being a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) is a great idea! This certification (which is solely granted by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing) is typically only necessary if you wish to join a facility as permanent staff.
What Makes an Outstanding ER Travel Nurse?
Some of the most important things to have include critical thinking and good communication skills. Having these two personal qualities will have other nurses and staff consider you to be an “expert” in ER triage nursing. Some other qualities also include good assessment abilities and intuition. Many administrators feel that having the ability to function under pressure is even more important for ER nurses than those in other specialties. Of course, these are only a few of the qualities one should poses.
Job Outlook for Emergency Room Nurses
One of the biggest consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is the high percentage of patients that have postponed or reported difficulty accessing treatment for their chronic disorders (things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and so on). This means that there is also an increase in ER visits due to heart attack symptoms and diabetic complications around the US. Even before the pandemic, we have seen a growth in these types of ER visits. This means that placements in an ER setting is even more likely than before.
Four Benefits of Holding BCEN Certification Emergency Care and Travel Nursing
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the nursing shortage problem across the US. Whether it is due to nurses not being able to work because of COVID infection status, higher-than-normal patients, or just general burnout among full-time staff, travel nurses across the country have been enlisted to cope with this situation. Obtaining a BCEN certificate can improve your options for placement as a travel nurse, as well as improve your eligibility for the highest-paying positions in your dream location!
- Cardiovascular emergencies
- Genitourinary, gynecological, and obstetrical emergencies
- Gastrointestinal (GI) emergencies
- Psychosocial and medical emergencies
- Orthopedic and trauma (wound) emergencies
- Your certification indicates to employers that you have determination, time management skills and a desire to advance in your career. Certification can also facilitate transfer from other nursing units to work in an emergency setting.
- RNs with less than three years of experience in the ursing field can be better-positioned to be candidates for an open nursing position if they earn this certification
- A CEN on your resume can boost your chances of advancement to a supervisory role.
- Travel nurses seeking a permanent, full-time position may be at an advantage in acquiring a position in a hospital or outpatient surgical setting. Your certification will be highlighted on your submission profile – so that hiring managers wont miss it.
You can always speak with our recruiter if you have any questions on how to get different certifications or which certifications will be helpful for your career! We hope you have found this article helpful! If you are interested in starting your travel med career, reach out to one of our recruiters or visit our jobs board today!