Emergency Room (ER) Nurse Administrators provide patient care and maintain a healthy work environment for staff members in the emergency department of various health care settings. In addition to nursing service, their responsibilities include planning, monitoring and evaluating the patient care procedures; contributing strategically towards the allocation of human and financial resources; taking initiatives for quality improvement in services; organizing educational programs for staff members; communicating with staff members and department heads to achieve organizational goals; maintaining 24 hour accountability so on and so forth.
ER Nurse Administrators find employment in various health care settings such as trauma centers, doctor’s offices, hospitals, nursing homes etc. They mostly work full time. Since their services are needed in emergencies, they may be required during weekends, overnight shifts and even in holidays.
Educational Requirements
To become an ER Nurse Administrator, the aspiring candidates need to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in health administration or any related field. Additionally, they require a registered nurse certification from an accredited nursing program. The students can also pursue higher studies in related field for better job prospects. The common syllabus includes hospital organization and management, human resources administration, accounting and budgeting, strategic planning, health information systems as well as nursing education courses.
Certification and Licensure
Since an ER Nurse Administrator requires to be licensed in all the states, the aspiring candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, pass a licensing exam and complete a state-approved training program. The candidates can obtain exam based certification from the American College of Health Care Administrators.
Skill Set
Apart from clinical knowledge, ER Nurse Administrators possess various skills such as resource management abilities, excellent organizational skills, ability to work under pressure situation, ability to handle multiple priorities, competent in resolving conflict, high medical ethics, empathy towards patient, effective communications and interpersonal skills, computer skills etc.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for an ER Nurse Administrator remains excellent in USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 23% from 2012 to 2022. The average annual salary of an ER Nurse Administrator was $88,580 in May 2012.