Overview
Emergency nurses work in high-stakes clinical environments where patients often arrive during the most critical moments of illness or injury. Emergency Nurses Week is an established observance dedicated specifically to these professionals and their role in emergency care.
This article presents only evidence-verified information. Where commonly discussed topics lack high-quality evidence, that limitation is stated clearly.
Key Takeaways
- Emergency Nurses Week is a formally recognized, annual observance.
- It focuses specifically on emergency nursing and emergency department care.
- Emergency nurses practice in high-stakes, specialized clinical environments.
- Some commonly repeated statements about ER nurses lack high-quality evidence and are identified as such.
- Clear guidance exists on when emergency medical care should be sought.
What Is Emergency Nurses Week?
Emergency Nurses Week is a recognized observance focused on nurses who work in emergency departments. It is specific to emergency nursing rather than nursing as a whole.
High-quality evidence confirms that:
- Emergency Nurses Week exists as a formal observance.
- Its focus is emergency nursing and emergency department care.
Claims about overlap with other nursing observances or broader recognition events lack high-quality evidence.
When Is Emergency Nurses Week Observed?
Authoritative sources confirm that:
- Emergency Nurses Week is observed annually.
- It occurs during a specific week designated for emergency nurses.
- The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) publicly defines and publishes the observance.
Claims that the dates align with other nursing observances or vary by organization are not supported by high-quality evidence.
The Role of Emergency Nurses in Patient Care
Evidence supports that emergency nurses:
- Work in high-stakes, specialized clinical environments.
- Provide care in situations involving severe illness or injury.
- Maintain clinical effectiveness while delivering calm, compassionate care during emergencies.
- Experience emotional and operational stress related to the nature of emergency medicine.
The following commonly stated claims lack high-quality evidence:
- That emergency nurses are always the first point of comfort during emergencies.
- That emergency nurses universally perform rapid triage or multitask simultaneously across multiple patients.
Skills and Professional Demands
Verified evidence supports that emergency nursing requires:
- A combination of clinical expertise and emotional resilience.
- The ability to function effectively in unpredictable and time-sensitive environments.
- Sustained performance under stress.
Statements describing specific daily skills (such as multitasking patterns or universal communication practices with families and teams) lack high-quality evidence and should not be treated as established facts.
How Emergency Nurses Week Is Recognized
Evidence confirms that Emergency Nurses Week includes:
- Formal recognition by professional organizations, particularly the Emergency Nurses Association.
- Public acknowledgment of emergency nurses’ contributions.
Claims that educational campaigns, community events, or public awareness initiatives are standard components are not supported by high-quality evidence.
When to See a Doctor or Seek Emergency Care
Authoritative medical sources confirm that emergency departments are designed to evaluate and treat serious or potentially life-threatening conditions.
You should seek emergency medical care for:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Signs or symptoms of stroke
- Severe injuries
- Sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms
When uncertainty exists, prompt medical evaluation is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Emergency Nurses Week?
Emergency Nurses Week exists to formally recognize nurses who practice in emergency departments and the specialized nature of emergency nursing.
Is Emergency Nurses Week different from Nurses Week?
Yes. Emergency Nurses Week focuses specifically on emergency nursing and emergency department care. Claims regarding how Nurses Week covers other specialties lack high-quality evidence and cannot be confirmed.
Why are nurses sometimes called “angels in scrubs”?
There is no high-quality evidence supporting this phrase as a defined or standardized term. Its use appears cultural rather than scientific or professional.
What challenges do emergency nurses face?
Evidence supports that emergency nurses experience emotional stress and work in high-stakes clinical environments. Claims about patient volume levels or simultaneous crisis management lack high-quality evidence.
When is Emergency Nurses Week?
Emergency Nurses Week is observed annually during a designated week defined by the Emergency Nurses Association.
Are there official images or themes for Emergency Nurses Week?
There is no high-quality evidence supporting standardized images, themes, or symbols for the observance.
What scrubs or uniforms are associated with emergency nurses?
There is no high-quality evidence supporting specific uniforms, scrub types, or clothing requirements unique to Emergency Nurses Week.
Are there differences between ER nurses and other nurses?
Evidence confirms that emergency nursing is a specialized field practiced in emergency departments. Detailed comparisons of skills or responsibilities lack high-quality evidence.
APA Reference List
American College of Emergency Physicians. (2017, January). The role and value of emergency medicine: An informational paper. https://www.acep.org/siteassets/uploads/uploaded-files/acep/clinical-and-practice-management/resources/administration/empc_vemp_0430_0117.pdf
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). The history of National Nurses Week. https://www.nursingworld.org/education-events/national-nurses-week/history/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 24). Signs and symptoms of stroke. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs-symptoms/index.html
Emergency Nurses Association. (n.d.). Emergency Nurses Week. https://www.ena.org/about-us/emergency-nurses-week
MedlinePlus. (2024, May 8). Chest pain. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003079.htm
MedlinePlus. (2024, September 4). When to use the emergency room – adult. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000593.htm
MedlinePlus. (2025, January 8). Breathing difficulties – first aid. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000007.htm
MedlinePlus. (2025, April 1). Breathing difficulty. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003075.htm