Emergency nursing

Emergency nurses work in the accident and emergency department of a hospital and act as the 'first line' in the treatment of patients who have suffered some kind of trauma. This may be anything from a major road accident or physical assault to snake bites and a child falling out of a tree in their back yard. An emergency nurse's work is challenging and offers the ultimate in variety and fulfillment.

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What do emergency nurses do?
Emergency nurses are considered 'multi skilled' in the nursing profession. Primarily, they look after people who have been involved major or minor trauma, provide care for people with medical and surgical conditions and manage people with orthopaedic (bone) injuries.

Emergency nurses need to be very flexible to be able to meet the emotional needs of both their patients and peers. They assist families who are grieving and are often called on to deal with patients who have a mental illness. Emergency nurses take part in road-side medivacs (helicopter evacuations) for serious motor vehicle accidents, they train and prepare for disasters that may occur in the community, and may also become part of the Queensland Health helicopter retrieval service in some areas of the state.

If you like adventure, variety, an 'adrenaline rush', sore feet, short tea breaks, 'quirky' humour, hard work, satisfaction, and being part of a great team, then emergency nursing is for you. Your mind often has to be as broad as your shoulders. Accepting everyone with whom you come into contact, on their terms, and where they are at, in the language they can understand, is part of what emergency nurses do.

What career opportunities are there for emergency nurses?
Emergency nurses are in demand throughout Australia and all over the world. Specialist emergency training is required for positions with the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS), for rural and remote nursing and for some occupational health and safety positions. Educational opportunities are offered by a number of universities in emergency nursing. For more information on postgraduate course availability in this area, click here to go to the further education section.

Where can I get more information on emergency nursing?
Visit the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia website: www.cena.org.au