Dermatology Nurse Career Description
Dermatology nurses are registered nurses (RNs) responsible for providing nursing care to patients undergoing treatment for various skin conditions, diseases and disorders. A dermatology nurse is also responsible for educating patients on how to treat wounds, cancerous spots and other skin problems.
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Education
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Aspiring dermatology nurses must first earn their RN degree from a nursing program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE; see Resources section). A majority of RNs earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. BSN programs are typically four-year degree plans offered by universities and colleges. Some aspiring registered nurses earn an associate of science in nursing (ASN), while others pursue advanced nursing education and hold a master of science in nursing (MSN).
Training
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Registered nursing training programs typically require both classroom instruction and supervised clinical work in a health-care facility. Basic nursing courses typically include microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, human development and psychology. Aspiring nurses are also trained in basic patient care, including reading vital signs, administering oral medication and keeping accurate medical records. Nursing students then practice what they've learned with actual patients. Aspiring dermatology nurses should try to complete their clinical work at a dermatologist's office.
Licensing
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All registered nurses must successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) before they can be licensed to practice legally. The NCLEX-RN measures a nursing program graduate's nursing skills in various health topics that are vital to providing effective and safe patient care. This credentialing exam is in multiple-choice format and includes topics such as patient care, pharmacology, infection control, patient comfort, health promotion, health care risks and psychosocial integrity. The NCLEX-RN is offered by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN; see Resources section).
Certification
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Dermatology nurses can obtain the additional credential of Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC) by passing a professional exam offered by the Dermatology Nursing Certification Board (DNCB; see Resources section). This multiple-choice exam covers topics like dermatitis, rosacea, skin wounds, surgical dermatology, skin infections and general dermatology. A dermatology nurse must have at least two years and 2,000 hours of experience in performing dermatological nursing tasks, such as chemical peels, dermatological surgery assisting, patient education or skin cancer screenings. The DNC certification is good for three years, and renewal requires the completion of continuing education (CE) courses.
Occupational Outlook
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the registered nursing field in general will offer excellent employment prospects. The increase of jobs is due to new technological procedures as well as an increasing stress on preventative health care. A majority of dermatology nurses work in the offices of dermatologists, and the BLS expects nursing jobs in private physicians' offices to grow about 39 percent until the year 2016. According to the BLS, the median yearly salary for RNs was slightly more than $57,000 in 2006.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Creative Commons photo by A. Drian
