E MERGENCY R OOM N URSE T HERAPEUTIC P ATHWAY Ashley Watson Hour 7

J OB D ESCRIPTION ER nurses care for patients. They work under general supervision. They work with other professionals to help achieve the best patient care possible. They effectively interact with patients. They must be able to recognize and effectively diagnose and treat illnesses.

J OB D ESCRIPTION /D UTIES Records current symptoms as well as medical history Manages basic life support needs/ keeps patients stable Gives patients IVS and provides IV therapy Provides bedside care Reports suspected abuse to the correct agencies Performs triage

J OB D ESCRIPTION /D UTIES C ONTINUED Records all patient care accurately with correct abbreviations Teaches patients and family members about how to manage their illness Accomplishes tasks in a timely manner Works directly under a doctor, assists them with the medical examination of a patient Bandages and cleans wounds of patients Displays a professional demeanor

W ORK S ETTINGS ER nurses work in hospitals and other health care facilities, one could travel to different countries to work. Working hours include days, nights, weekends and holidays The environment is high stress ER nurses are frequently interrupted when working Nurses are exposed to infectious diseases and chemicals. Generally work a twelve hour shift with three fifteen minute brakes and a half hour lunch

P ERSONAL C HARACTERISTICS N EEDED Need to be able to cope with high amounts of stress, because there is a high level of stress working in a trauma environment where peoples lives depend on your decisions. Must be able to relate to people of varying ages, because anyone can get hurt or have life threatening diseases. Must be kind and caring, so they can take care of patients Must be able to think on their feet and quickly come up with a plan for treatment, because patient status can quickly change Empathy, to relate to patients and help them get through their trauma

P ERSONAL C HARACTERISTICS CONTINUED Must enjoy helping others, because nurses help save peoples lives Must enjoy a challenge, because there are a plethora of illnesses and injuries that people have when they are in the ER Must have a positive attitude, to keep patients calm Must be a good talker, to be able to effectively give patients information without making them worried Must follow direction well, because nurses work under doctors Must be able to take action when doctors are not present, because doctors are not always present

E DUCATION N EEDED Helpful High School Classes Human Anatomy and Physiology Chemistry (AP Chemistry) Biology (AP Biology) Psychology (AP Psychology) Speech (OIC) Must have a degree from an accredited nursing program (at a min) Bachelors degree is preferred

E DUCATION CONTINUED Some of the Course Work ER nurses take Gen EDS Medical terminology Advanced First Aid Psychology ok_prn.pdf ok_prn.pdf Training Most of the training is on the job

N URSING C OLLEGES Wisconsin Schools UW Madison School of Nursing UW Green Bay Professional Program in Nursing Out of state schools East Carolina University College of Nursing University of Baltimore County School of Nursing

W AGES AND B ENEFITS Starting wage- $41,520 to $61,534 Range of wages- $41,520 to $77,404 Average wage was $59,227 New York Average $92,076 Florida Average $66,117 The wage of a nurse will go up with the cost of living in an area. The shortage of ER Nurses has led employers to give sign on bonuses and tuition reimbursement. ER nurses have health insurance through their jobs. ER nurses do get sick days and vacation days the exact amount depends on the hospital or health care facility. I could live comfortably off the salary I would earn.

J OB O UTLOOK Nursing is projected to be one of the fastest growing professions between Nursing careers are projected to increase 22%.

P ERSONAL A SSESSMENT This occupation fits my personality very well! I am able to think on my feet and get the job done. I am dependable and I handle stress well. The human body has always interested me, so it fits my interests well. It also fits my values because I think you should help people in any way you can and in being an ER nurse I would be able to help a lot of people. It fits my educational plans because I plan to be a nurse.

D AY I N THE LIFE

S OURCES "A Day in The Life: ER Nurse." Youtube.com. ConnectEdCalifornia, n.d. Web. "Emergency Room Nursing Training Programs and Requirements." Emergency Room Nursing Training Programs and Requirements. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec "NurseZone." NurseZone. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec Gunner. "404 Not Found." 404 Not Found. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec