Includes bibliographical references and index.

Emergency nursing defined -- The traditional role of the emergency nurse -- Unique roles of the emergency nurse -- Education of the emergency nurse -- The emergency nurse as a professional -- Self-care and the emergency nurse -- Types of emergency departments -- Common areas within the emergency department -- Key players in the emergency department -- The emergency nurse in the role of triage -- Common challenges faced by emergency nurses -- Risk management and quality issues affecting the emergency nurse -- Emergency nursing throughout the lifespan -- Challenging patient populations encountered by the emergency nurse -- The emergency nurse and the abused patient -- The emergency nurse caring for diverse cultures and ethnicities.