Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a major problem in the United States; current indicators suggest that this problem will worsen in coming years. Over the past several decades, the emergency medical system (EMS) has evolved into a safety net for the US healthcare system, but concern exists that, without changes, this safety net may fray and disintegrate.2 With ED overcrowding reaching a crisis level and with healthcare reform still in the process of being formulated, exploring how nurse practitioners can contribute to a more effective workforce in the ED setting is appropriate and timely.