Top 11 ER Nurse Certifications

Certifications demonstrate a nurse’s commitment to their profession and their dedication to providing the highest quality of care. Certification can also provide nurses with an edge in the job market as employers may be more likely to hire someone who has demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in a specific area of nursing. In addition, certifications can open doors to career advancement opportunities and increased earning potential. For ER nurses specifically, certifications such as the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) are invaluable in demonstrating a nurse’s ability to handle emergency situations with confidence and skill. Additionally, certifications may serve as evidence that a nurse has met certain standards of practice, which is essential in high-pressure emergency settings.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for ER Nurses and outlines how they can enhance an ER Nurse's career.

What are ER Nurse Certifications?

Er Nurse Certification is an advanced nursing certification that recognizes the specialized knowledge and skills required of nurses who work in the emergency room (ER). This certification is offered by several professional organizations, such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA).

The certification process typically involves completing a specific amount of continuing education hours, passing an exam, and maintaining a valid nursing license. By receiving this certification, ER nurses demonstrate their expertise in caring for critically ill or injured patients in the emergency setting.

Having a certified ER nurse on staff can benefit both patients and healthcare facilities. Certified ER nurses have extensive training in assessing patient needs quickly and accurately, which helps them to provide appropriate care in a timely manner. This ensures that all patients receive the best possible care when they are experiencing an emergency health event. Additionally, having certified ER nurses on staff provides assurance to hospitals and other health care facilities that they are providing quality care to their patients.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the requirements for becoming an Emergency Room Nurse Certified (ERNC) before beginning your certification process. This will ensure that you have all of the necessary qualifications, such as education and experience, to become certified in this field. Additionally, it is important to stay up-to-date on changes in procedures and technologies related to emergency care that may be required for ERNC certification.

Related: What does an ER Nurse do?

Top 11 ER Nurse Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to ER Nurses today.

1. Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) is a certification program offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). It is designed to recognize the specialized knowledge and skills that emergency nurses have acquired through experience and education. CEN certification is valid for five years and must be renewed at the end of that period.

In order to obtain CEN certification, an individual must meet the following criteria:

• Be a registered nurse in good standing with their state board of nursing
• Have a minimum of two years of full-time emergency nursing experience within the past three years, or 1,000 hours in the past year
• Complete 30 hours of continuing education related to emergency nursing within the past three years
• Pass an exam administered by BCEN.

The cost of obtaining CEN certification can vary depending on whether you are already a BCEN member or not. The exam fee for non-members is $395 and for members it is $295. If you choose to become a BCEN member, there is an additional fee of $90.

2. Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)

Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) is a certification program offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). This certification is specifically designed for nurses who specialize in pediatric emergency care. It is intended to recognize nurses who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of pediatric emergency nursing.

The CPEN exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that test the nurse’s knowledge and skills in areas such as pediatric trauma, resuscitation, medical emergencies, environmental emergencies, and pharmacology. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible to take the CPEN exam, applicants must meet certain requirements. These include having a valid registered nurse license, two years of experience as an RN in an acute care setting within the past three years, and 1,000 hours of direct patient care within the past two years.

The cost for taking the CPEN exam varies depending on where you take it. The BCEN website lists fees ranging from $200-$400 USD depending on location and other factors.

3. Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN)

A Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) is a specialized type of registered nurse who has completed additional training and certification to provide care for patients in an air medical transport setting. CFRNs are responsible for providing patient care during air medical transport, including pre-flight assessment, stabilization, and post-flight follow-up.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the CFRN certification process. The first step is to obtain a current RN license from your state board of nursing. You must also have at least two years of experience as an RN in critical care or emergency nursing prior to applying for the certification exam.

Once you have met the eligibility requirements, you can apply online through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). The application fee is $325 USD. After submitting your application, you will be given access to study materials and practice exams that will help you prepare for the actual exam.

The exam itself consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as air medical transport operations, patient assessment, interventions, pharmacology, communication, safety/risk management, legal/ethical considerations and professional practice standards. It takes approximately 3 hours to complete the exam and costs $320 USD.

Once you have passed the exam with a score of at least 75%, you will receive your CFRN certification within 6-8 weeks after passing the test. Your certification will remain valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

4. Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN)

Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN) is a specialty certification offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). It is designed to recognize nurses who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the area of transport nursing.

To become certified, you must meet the following requirements:

- Have an active, unrestricted RN license in the United States or its territories

- Have a minimum of two years of experience as a transport nurse within the past five years.

- Successfully complete an approved CTRN training program or equivalent.

- Pass the CTRN exam administered by BCEN.

The process typically takes around six months to complete. The cost for taking the exam is $295 for BCEN members and $395 for non-members.

5. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is an advanced form of resuscitation that is used to treat life-threatening cardiac emergencies. It involves the use of medications, electrical therapies, and airway management techniques to restore and maintain a patient’s cardiac rhythm. ACLS is designed for healthcare professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies.

It typically takes about two days to complete an ACLS course. The course includes lectures, skills practice sessions, and simulated clinical scenarios. Participants must pass a written exam and demonstrate proficiency in all skills before they can receive their certification.

To get ACLS certification, you must first complete a basic life support (BLS) course or equivalent training program. You will then need to enroll in an approved ACLS course through an accredited provider such as the American Heart Association (AHA). AHA courses are available both online and in person at local training centers.

The cost of an ACLS course varies depending on the provider and location but typically ranges from $150-$300 USD.

6. Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)

The Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) is a two-day educational program designed to provide nurses with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and hands-on training necessary to care for trauma patients. The TNCC is based on the Emergency Nurses Association’s (ENA) Trauma Nursing Process and includes topics such as: assessment of the trauma patient; management of shock, respiratory failure, and other life-threatening conditions; and special considerations for pediatric, geriatric, and burn patients.

TNCC is offered in both classroom and online formats. The classroom course typically takes two days to complete and includes lectures, demonstrations, role playing, simulations, and hands-on practice. The online course consists of self-paced modules that can be completed at your own pace over a period of several weeks or months.

To become certified in TNCC you must successfully complete an approved TNCC course. You can find a list of approved courses on the ENA website. Once you have completed an approved course you will receive a certificate of completion which must be submitted to the ENA for certification.

The cost of TNCC varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $300-$400 USD for the classroom format and $200-$250 USD for the online format.

7. Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)

Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) is an intensive two-day course designed to prepare registered nurses and advanced practice nurses for the care of pediatric patients in emergency settings. The ENPC program provides a comprehensive approach to the assessment, management, and disposition of pediatric patients in the emergency department. It covers topics such as airway management, shock, trauma, medical emergencies, resuscitation techniques, and more.

The ENPC course is offered through the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). It takes approximately 16 hours to complete the course and includes lectures, case studies, interactive activities, and skill stations. The cost of the course varies depending on membership status with ENA but typically ranges from $400-$500 USD. To get certified for ENPC you must attend an approved course and pass a written exam with a score of 80% or higher.

8. Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is an educational program designed to teach healthcare professionals the skills and knowledge needed to effectively resuscitate newborns. The program is developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA). It is based on evidence-based guidelines for neonatal resuscitation.

NRP certification is required for all healthcare professionals who provide care to newborns, including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, and paramedics. The program consists of two parts: a self-directed online course and an in-person skills session. The online course covers topics such as anatomy and physiology of the newborn, assessment of the newborn’s condition, initial stabilization steps, airway management techniques, chest compressions and ventilation techniques, medications used in resuscitation, and post-resuscitation care. The in-person skills session provides hands-on practice with manikins and allows participants to demonstrate their understanding of the material covered in the online course.

It typically takes about 8 hours to complete NRP certification. To get certified you must first complete the online course and then attend an in-person skills session at an approved training site. The cost of NRP certification varies depending on where you take it; however it typically ranges from $50-$150 per person.

9. Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)

Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) is a program developed by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to provide medical professionals with a standardized approach to the management of acute trauma cases. The ATLS program teaches participants how to rapidly and accurately assess, resuscitate, and stabilize a trauma patient. The program also provides an introduction to basic and advanced trauma care, as well as an overview of the principles of trauma management.

The ATLS course typically takes two days to complete, depending on the provider's schedule. It is offered in both classroom-based and online formats. In order to receive certification, participants must attend all sessions and successfully pass a written exam at the end of the course.

In order to get ATLS certified, individuals must first register for the course through their local ACS chapter or online through the ACS website. The cost of registration varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $300-$500 USD per person.

10. International Trauma Life Support (ITLS)

International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) is an internationally recognized program that provides comprehensive trauma care training to healthcare professionals. It is designed to teach healthcare providers the skills necessary to assess and manage a wide range of traumatic injuries. The program includes both classroom instruction and hands-on practice in simulated scenarios.

The ITLS program consists of two levels: Basic and Advanced. The Basic level focuses on initial assessment, airway management, and basic life support, while the Advanced level covers more complex topics such as shock management, advanced airway management, and trauma resuscitation.

ITLS courses are offered by local chapters across the world and typically take between 8-16 hours to complete depending on the level of course taken. To register for an ITLS course, you must contact your local chapter or visit the ITLS website for more information about upcoming classes.

The cost of ITLS courses varies depending on location but generally ranges from $150-$400 per person for a full day of instruction.

11. Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS/HCP).

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS/HCP) is a certification program designed to teach healthcare providers the skills necessary to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies. This includes performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using an automated external defibrillator (AED), relieving choking, and providing basic first aid.

It typically takes 4-5 hours to complete the BLS/HCP course. The course can be taken in person or online, depending on the provider. In-person courses are more expensive than online courses due to the cost of materials and instructor fees.

In order to get certified in BLS/HCP, you must complete a training program approved by either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. After completing the course, you will need to pass a written exam and demonstrate your proficiency in CPR and AED use. Once you have passed both components of the exam, you will receive a certification card that is valid for two years.

The cost of BLS/HCP certification varies depending on where you take the course and whether it is online or in person. Generally speaking, online courses are less expensive than in-person courses, with prices ranging from $50-$100 USD for an online course, and up to $200 USD for an in-person course.

Do You Really Need a ER Nurse Certificate?

Yes, an ER nurse certificate is necessary for those who want to work in the emergency room. The certificate is proof of a nurse’s qualifications and experience in dealing with medical emergencies. It also demonstrates that the individual has the knowledge and skills required to provide quality care in this high-pressure environment.

The ER nurse certificate shows that an individual has completed certain courses related to emergency nursing, such as trauma nursing and critical care. This type of certification is typically required by employers before they will consider hiring someone for an emergency room position. Additionally, most states require nurses to have this certification in order to be eligible for licensure as an RN specializing in emergency medicine.

Having an ER nurse certificate also indicates that a nurse has achieved a higher level of competency than simply having a basic RN license. It provides additional evidence of the nurse’s understanding of the complexities involved when caring for patients experiencing life-threatening conditions or injuries. This knowledge can help nurses make sound decisions quickly and effectively during times of crisis.

Finally, having an ER nurse certificate can help open up career opportunities and may even lead to promotions within the healthcare industry. Achieving this credential demonstrates commitment and dedication to providing quality care in an emergency setting, which can be attractive qualities for potential employers. With this certification, nurses can also apply for specialized positions such as charge nurses or clinical coordinators within the ER department.

In conclusion, obtaining an ER nurse certificate is essential for anyone looking to work in the emergency room setting. This credential not only serves as proof of qualifications but also demonstrates expertise and experience needed to provide quality care during medical crises. In addition, it can help open up new career opportunities within the healthcare field and may even lead to promotions or higher pay grades down the line.

Related: ER Nurse Resume Examples

FAQs About ER Nurse Certifications

1. What certifications are available for ER nurses?

A: There are several certifications available for ER nurses, including the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), the Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN), and the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN).

2. How do I become certified as an ER nurse?

A: To become certified as an ER nurse, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass a certification exam. The requirements vary depending on which certification you’re pursuing, but typically include having a valid nursing license and at least two years of experience in the emergency room.

3. How often do I need to renew my ER nurse certification?

A: Most certifications must be renewed every three to four years by completing continuing education courses or retaking the certification exam. Check with your specific credentialing organization for more information about renewal requirements.

4. Is there financial assistance available for ER nurse certification?

A: Yes, some organizations offer scholarships or grants to help cover the cost of certification exams, study materials, and other related expenses. Contact your local hospital or professional nursing organization to learn more about potential funding options.

5. Are there any online resources available to help me prepare for my ER nurse certification exam?

A: Yes, there are a variety of online resources that can help you prepare for your certification exam, such as practice tests, study guides, and review courses. You can also find helpful tips and advice from experienced ER nurses on forums and social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter.