How to Become an ER Nurse
A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at CTU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.
To become an ER Nurse, you must first qualify for licensure as a registered nurse (RN). Registered nurses may pursue an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must also obtain licensure by passing a qualifying exam.1
Emergency room (ER) nurses have the privilege of making a difference in people's lives at their most critical moments. By serving individuals of all ages and backgrounds and meeting diverse care needs, ER nurses generally engage in highly varied work. Before considering how a nursing degree program may support a potential career path in emergency medicine, it can be helpful to understand the skills and responsibilities associated with this occupation.
What ER Nurses Do
An emergency nurse can expect highly varied work. ER nurses treat a wide range of patients, including pediatric, adult and geriatric populations, across emergency settings and specialties such as trauma care.2
As patients enter the emergency care, ER nurses can expect to assess and treat patients. Other responsibilities can range from treating simple lacerations to managing the onset of childbirth or acute trauma.
The assortment of responsibilities and the high-pressure environment may make being an emergency nurse challenging, however, it can be a personally rewarding career.
Step-by-Step Path to Emergency Nursing
Earn a Nursing Degree (ADN or BSN)
To become a registered nurse and begin specializing in emergency care, an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are two common education paths.3
CTU offers post-licensure nursing programs for practicing RNs and does not offer a pre-licensure nursing path.
Pass the NCLEX-RN and Get Licensed
After earning a degree, the next step for prospective nurses is to become licensed by passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).4
Gain Emergency Department Experience
After graduating and obtaining RN licensure, a new nurse may be able to find an ER nursing job at a facility that has a formal nurse residency program or offers an orientation program aimed at nurses who want to enter into that specialty.5 These programs can provide structured training, orientation and precepting while new nurses develop emergency department experience.
Earn Certifications
ER nurses may pursue specialty certifications as they gain experience. The Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) credential is widely recognized. The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) requires a current, unencumbered RN license and recommends, but does not require, about two years of emergency nursing experience before seeking CEN certification.6
Other emergency nursing certifications may include Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN), Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) and Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN). CEN certification must be renewed every four years through qualifying continuing education or examination.7
Time Required to Become an ER Nurse
An ADN typically takes about two years and a BSN about four, plus time to pass the NCLEX-RN and obtain licensure. New nurses may then enter an emergency department directly through a nurse residency program or spend additional time gaining emergency or acute care experience.
The full path commonly runs from roughly two to four years before entering the emergency department (ED), depending on the nursing degree pursued, and longer for nurses who choose to gain additional experience before seeking specialty certification.
New Graduate Nurses in the Emergency Department
New graduate nurses can increasingly enter emergency departments through nurse residency programs. These programs may provide structured training, orientation and precepting to help nurses build emergency department experience while transitioning into the specialty.5
Skills ER Nurses May Need
Emergency nurses work in fast-paced, time-constrained environments where they may need to make rapid assessments and critical decisions while prioritizing care and managing multiple responsibilities. Strong critical thinking, risk recognition, communication and technical nursing skills can help support safe, effective emergency care.8
Continuing Your Nursing Education
Licensed RNs may choose to continue their education by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing - (RN to BSN completion), pursuing specialty certifications or exploring graduate education such as a Master of Science in Nursing. These options may help nurses build additional knowledge and prepare for a broader range of nursing roles.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program, Master of Science in Nursing degree program, Post Graduate APRN Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Colorado Technical University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Earn an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN to become a licensed registered nurse and gain emergency department experience. Many ER nurses also pursue specialty certification later in their careers.3,5
The path commonly takes about two to four years before entering the emergency department, depending on whether you pursue an ADN or BSN. Additional time may be needed for licensure, experience and specialty certification.3,5
Not always. An ADN can qualify you for RN licensure and some emergency department roles, although many hospitals prefer or require a BSN for emergency positions.
ER nurses may pursue specialty certifications as they gain experience. BCEN requires a current, unencumbered RN license for CEN certification and recommends about two years of emergency nursing experience.6 Other BCEN credentials include CFRN, CPEN and CTRN.7
Already a licensed RN? Explore CTU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing - (RN to BSN completion) program and Master of Science in Nursing program to learn more about post-licensure nursing education options.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (visited October 2, 2026). This data represents national figures and is not based on school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.
2 Emergency Nurses Association. “Is Emergency Nursing Right for You?” https://www.ena.org/membership/emergency-nursing-what-you-need-know/emergency-nursing-right-you Accessed October 2, 2026.
3 American Nurses Association. “ADN vs BSN: Which Is Right for You?” February 9, 2024. https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/adn-vs-bsn Accessed October 2, 2026.
4 National Council of State Boards of Nursing. “2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan.” https://www.ncsbn.org/publications/2026-nclex-rn-test-plan Accessed October 2, 2026.
5 Emergency Nurses Association. “Path to the Emergency Department.” https://www.ena.org/membership/emergency-nursing-what-you-need-know/path-emergency-department Accessed October 2, 2026.
6 Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. “CEN Eligibility.” https://bcen.org/cen/eligibility/ Accessed October 2, 2026.
7 Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. “BCEN Recertification.” https://bcen.org/recertify/ Accessed October 2, 2026.
8 Peta, D. (2023). Emergency nurse onboarding [Position statement]. Emergency Nurses Association. https://enau.ena.org/URL/EmergencyNurseOnboardingPositionStatement Accessed October 2, 2026.
CTU cannot guarantee employment, salary or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states.
REQ2269272 09/2026