Nearly all health and social services have undergone important transformations over the last ten years. Of these developments, many have been a direct result of several trends, including advances in medical practices and technologies, and an increasing demand for quality public and private health services. There is no department that has been more affected by these changes in the health sector than the accident and emergency departments, including the staff charged with the responsibility of running them. The quality of staff, with specific reference to specialist accident and emergency nursing, has enabled these departments around the world to further develop the types of injuries and ailments that they are capable of treating. Experienced, skilled and autonomous medical staff have increasingly been a key factor in the improvement of patient care and treatment.

Accident and emergency nursing staff are often the first port of call for many individuals suffering from major illnesses, trauma and injuries. However, there is an increasing propensity of individuals and families to visit the A and E department for less serious conditions. Recent research conducted by the Department of Health has noted that up to 75% of current patients attending A and E centres are not suffering from serious illness or trauma, with less than one percent suffering life threatening injuries. This can partly be explained by the perceived quality of healthcare that people receive in these departments, as well as the escalating costs of private healthcare. As many people are being faced with financial pressures, the demand and use of A and E departments is only set to increase.

Due to the huge variation in exposure to injury and illness types, as well as demographic disparities, accident and emergency nursing involves the delivery of a multitude of skills, with the confidence and flexibility to meet the medical and emotional needs of the both the patient and their family. The fact that a set work routine is not possible is part of the attraction for many nurses who work, or aspire to work, in A and E departments. With patients coming in at all hours of the day or night, with an array of complaints, nurses must be able to think quickly on their feet, have experience and knowledge in the identification and healing process, and exhibit high levels of autonomy to proactively manage and care for their patients.

If you are looking for a position in an accident and emergency nursing department, contact should be made with an experienced consultant from a leading health recruitment agency, which has the contacts and the support to make it happen for you.