A toxicology nurse specializes in providing medical assistance to poisoned individuals or those impacted by toxins.
These healthcare specialists treat patients adversely affected by deadly chemicals, gases, substances, or venomous animals.
They also conduct toxicology research and analysis to improve medical procedures and patient care outcomes.
As a result, toxicology nurses play a vital role in ensuring those impacted by poisons and toxins receive adequate care.
What Do Toxicology Nurses Do?
Toxicology nurses assist patients under various medical circumstances resulting from poison or toxins.
For instance, they treat patients who have swallowed poisonous chemicals.
They also treat patients attacked by snakes, spiders, or poisonous insects.
Numerous patients receive medical care due to carbon monoxide poisoning or other inhalable agents.
Sometimes patients come into contact with other possible toxic/poisonous materials.
As a result, toxicology nurses treat various patients, from infants and young teens to adults and the elderly.
These specialists use their expertise to identify potential poisons and determine a possible cure.
It includes analyzing blood samples, using diagnostic equipment, and asking specific questions.
Once they find a cure, the toxicology nurse will administer medication or treatment.
For instance, they may administer anti-venom, stomach pumps, or medicated skin creams.
However, toxicology nurses often work under the authority of a physician to ensure patients receive a proper diagnosis.
During treatment, the toxicology nurses will monitor the patient’s vitals and keep track of their recovery.
They’ll also perform other toxicology-related duties to ensure the patient recovers properly.
In addition to providing medical aid to those affected by toxins, toxicology nurses provide education and information.
They educate and inform the public and local communities about ways to prevent contact with poisonous materials.
They also help the community understand what potentially poisonous animals to look out for, what deadly chemicals and materials to stay away from, what to do should someone become poisoned, and who to contact if a person shows signs of poisoning.
In many cases, toxicology nurses work alongside other medical professionals.
It includes other registered nurses, doctors, physicians, nurse practitioners, toxicology experts, and other specialists.
It enables them to support other medical professionals and provide patients with the best medical care possible.
Toxicology Nurse Responsibilities:
- Treat patients poisoned by chemicals and animals
- Review medical histories
- Develop nursing care plans
- Identify and analyze potential poisons
- Administer medication and treatments
- Monitor patient vitals and recovery
- Educate the public about safety measures
- Provide emotional support
- Support physicians and specialists with medical tasks
Where Do Toxicology Nurses Work?
In terms of facilities, toxicology nurses operate in various healthcare settings requiring the support of poison experts.
It includes poison control centers, chemical factories, hospitals, child care clinics, and physician offices.
Toxicology nurses also operate in other fields where toxicology and poison expertise may be greatly valued.
Occupational Settings:
- Hospitals
- Poison control centers
- Telephone triage
- Chemical factories
- Research centers
- Physician offices
- Child care clinics
The types of patients toxicology nurses treat vary depending on their employers and specialization.
For instance, busy city toxicology nurses may treat patients with carbon monoxide or ingested poisons.
Contrarily, toxicology nurses in humid rural areas may primarily care for people affected by animal venom.
How to Become a Toxicology Nurse
There are numerous steps individuals must take to become toxicology nurses.
It includes entering a nursing program, obtaining a degree, passing the NCLEX, gaining experience, and getting certified.
1. Join Nursing School
The first step to becoming a toxicology nurse is to join an ADN or BSN program from a qualified nursing school.
Students interested in entering the program must complete numerous prerequisite courses.
These courses form a foundation of knowledge necessary to perform well in nursing school.
It takes approximately 1 – 2 years to complete the necessary prerequisites depending on the student’s prior education.
After completing the required prerequisites and maintaining an acceptable GPA, students may apply to nursing school.
Some nursing programs enable students to apply one semester before finishing their prerequisites.
It enables them to get a jump start on the application process.
2. Obtain an ADN or BSN
Students accepted into nursing school can pursue an ADN or BSN degree.
The ADN or Associate Degree in Nursing establishes the fundamentals of nursing to prepare students for entry-level jobs.
This degree is ideal for those who want to quickly enter the field, gain experience, and make money.
Nevertheless, this degree can limit a registered nurse’s options and career specializations due to the limited education.
The BSN or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree provides a more comprehensive understanding of nursing.
As a result, it better prepares students for specialized roles in fields like toxicology.
Many employers also prefer healthcare professionals with a BSN for careers like toxicology nursing.
3. Pass the NCLEX-RN
After completing nursing school and obtaining a degree, students must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain licensure.
This examination tests the graduate’s competencies in nursing to ensure they have sufficient training and education.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) provides the state-required exam.
4. Acquire Work Experience
After becoming licensed, revised nurses will want to develop their career experience.
Working in an emergency care setting or entry-level toxicology nurse career is highly beneficial.
Some aspiring toxicology nurses may find career opportunities at hospitals or poison control centers.
These locations may offer training and education to help newer nurses learn the ins and outs of the profession.
Nevertheless, some employers require two years of clinical experience before offering training for entry-level positions.
Aspiring toxicology nurses may consider joining a toxicology rotation or medical toxicology fellowship.
These courses last roughly four weeks and provide a well-rounded education in the core principles of medical toxicology.
As a result, students improve their skill set and knowledge to perform their toxicology nurse duties confidently.
5. Get Certified
After obtaining adequate experience, registered nurses may decide to obtain one of several certifications.
It includes the RN-BC, BCEN, and CSPI certifications.
Whether certification is required to operate as a toxicology nurse depends on the employer, work tasks, and specialization.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center provides the Registered Nurse Board Certified (RN-BC) certificate.
This examination tests the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the informatics specialty.
Registered nurses may also pursue the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) certificate.
This certification demonstrates a nurse’s competencies and skills in emergency nursing.
In addition, it provides an entire subsection that concentrates on toxicology.
It includes acids and alkalis, carbon monoxide, cyanide, drug interactions, overdose and ingestions, substance abuse, and withdrawal syndrome.
Finally, the Certification for Specialists in Poison Information (CSPI) may be optional, depending on the employer.
Nevertheless, it gives employers the confidence that registered nurses have a good understanding of their field.
The Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) sponsors the exam administered by Pearson VUE.
This test ensures that nurses have the competencies, skills, and knowledge to provide adequate healthcare information.
Career Outlook
As populations expand, the need for highly educated toxicology nurses will grow continually.
These specialists are vital in hot climates where poisonous animals roam.
They’re also vital around extensive facilities that deal with toxic materials or metropolitan areas where poisons or harmful chemical agents are likely to cause harm to people.
Toxicology nurses provide specialized healthcare essential in helping patients exposed to toxic or harmful material recover and regain their health.
Without toxicology nurses, thousands of patients would go uncared for each year.
As a result, individuals who don’t receive adequate treatment will be at a massive disadvantage.
In addition, the potential loss of life for hundreds or thousands of patients would quickly expand.