As some of healthcare's most essential professionals, emergency room (ER) nurses are always in demand! Here’s everything you need to know about working ER nursing jobs, including how to qualify, the future job outlook, and what to expect on a day-to-day basis.
- Looking for a new career opportunity? Search ER nursing jobs here
Guide to ER Nursing Jobs: Trends & Future Outlook
What’s the ER nurse job outlook for 2025, 2026, and beyond? Official sources predict “faster than average” growth for all RN jobs over the next decade. And ER nurses are some of the most in-demand RNs, with job openings surging in recent years, You can see for yourself by browsing current ER jobs here.
Why is demand growing for ER nurses?
The emergency room (ER) is where patients in need of serious and immediate care enter the hospital. Not only is the ER open 24 hours a day, but it’s usually busy, too. So, there’s always a need for skilled nurses to work those jobs.
Because ER nurses treat a huge variety of illness and injuries, it’s also an ideal setting to get training in lots of patient care essentials. For this reason, some RNs use ER nursing jobs as stepping stones to other positions. But it's also a great career path in its own right — ER nursing jobs pay well, and there are always plenty to choose from!
How much do ER nurses earn in 2025-2026?
On average, RNs earn $93,600 per year. As an ER nurse, you may make more or less than this — exactly how much depends on where you work (the state and type of facility), how much experience you have, and your level of education and number of certifications.
How much do travel ER nursing jobs pay in 2025-2026?
Because demand is high, ER nurses can earn quite a bit more than the standard RN salary. For instance, many of the travel ER nurse jobs available on the HealthTrust jobsite pay more than $2,000 per week after housing stipends are factored in, for a total of more than $100,000 per year. Travel nurses who specialize in ER always have plenty of opportunities to choose from, too.
What to Expect from ER Nursing Jobs
As an ER nurse, you'll be responsible for performing triage on patients who are seriously injured or suffering from an illness requiring immediate care. Working under the direction of a doctor or nurse practitioner, you’ll also be responsible for administering other essential treatments, as well as providing medication, monitoring vitals, documenting treatments, and assisting in care planning.
Since patients arrive in the ER as their entry-point into a hospital, you may have to help stabilize them for transfer to other departments, where they can get longer-term care. You may also be called upon to supervise other staff members, like LPNs, CNAs, and aides.
What other skills do you need to work ER nursing jobs?
The emergency room is a fast-paced setting, and you can expect to be on your feet for most of your shift. So, working ER nursing jobs requires a certain level of physical stamina. You may also need certain “soft skills,” like the ability to:
- Communicate effectively with doctors and other members of the care team, as well as patient and families who may be under severe emotional strain
- Make fast decisions to solve problems and adapt to fast-changing situations
- Multi-task to quickly and smoothly handle many different needs at once
How to Qualify for ER Nursing Jobs
All ER nursing jobs will require a valid nurse’s license in the state where the job is located. In states that have joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), you may be able to practice with a single multi-state license. Learn more and see a map of NLC states here.
What education do you need to quality for ER jobs?
You’ll need either a two-year associate’s degree (ADN) or a four-year bachelor’s degree (BSN) to get your nursing license. After that, you may also need one or two years of experience in an emergency room to qualify. (Clinical hours from nursing school may also qualify.)
What certification and training do you need for ER jobs?
You’ll need to have these certifications for most ER nursing jobs:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association (AHA)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) from the AHA
Many of the higher-paying jobs available at our nursing jobsite also require additional certifications like:
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) from the AHA
- CPI training from the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)
- NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification from the AHA
You might also boost your chances of landing the ER job you want with some additional certifications and training programs:
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)
- Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) from the BCEN
- Trauma Nursing Core Course from the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
- Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) from the American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- Wound Care Certification (WCC®) and Advanced Wound Care Certification (AWCC®) from the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO)
Another way to improve your chances of getting hired is with continuing education (CE) credits, which are also required to maintain your license in most states. This can also help you specialize in a certain aspect of ER nursing like trauma care, pediatrics, or cardiac care.
You can find CE opportunities by joining professional groups, especially the ENA, American Nurses Association (ANA), or Society of Trauma Nurses (STN).
And don't forget, working as a travel nurse is another great way to get the experience you need to land the ER nursing job you really want. Learn more about the benefits of traveling here, or check out available opportunities here.
- Don't forget to prep your resume and interview skills! Learn how to craft the perfect nursing resume here, and get some essential interview tips here.
Find Your Next ER Nursing Job with HealthTrust
You'll always find plenty of great ER nurse jobs at the HealthTrust jobsite! We also offer help with licensing and credentialing, plenty of professional development opportunities, and an exclusive job search app for travel and per diem nurses. See what’s available by searching all ER nursing jobs now.
