['A survey conducted by the Research Council Of Illinois ENA was intended to assess educational needs, but it revealed some very important serendipitous findings. This survey gave a voice to the frustrations of emergency nurses.', 'A 31-question survey was distributed to 900 Illinois ENA members requesting information about their educational needs. The last question, which formed the basis of this report, asked respondents to list the 3 biggest challenges they face on a daily basis.', 'In addition to the information regarding educational offerings, the survey revealed that ED nurses were overburdened and frustrated in their jobs. Specifically, the nurses identified 7 areas of greatest concern: (1) insufficient and inexperienced staff; (2) increased responsibilities; (3) lack of administrative support; (4) lack of rewards or incentives to stay; (5) low morale among staff; (6) difficulty balancing work and family; and (7) increasing violence in the emergency department.'] Do serendipitous findings from an Illinois ED nursing educational survey reflect a crisis in emergency nursing?