Triage Nurse Training
A triage nurse has the responsibility of quickly and accurately assessing a patient's medical condition, determining how soon the patient must be seen by a doctor. Overall, triage nurses must have the ability to make decisions both calmly and quickly.
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Requirements
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Most employers require a registered nurse (RN) license to apply as a triage nurse. An RN holds either a two-year associate's degree or a three-year diploma.
Minimum Requirements
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In some cases, employers may hire a licensed practical nurse, who holds a one-year college degree. Medical experience is often necessary.
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Certification
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Aside from having a nursing degree, there is a specialty certification offered in many states, which is sometimes required. This often requires 2,000 hours of practice and experience.
Experience
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If doing triage work within pediatrics, most employers prefer specific pediatric experience. If working with adults, specific experience may also be required.
Telephone Triage
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A triage nurse who works at a call center must be able to sit for long periods. She will be trained to answer phone calls from patients with medical questions. She must have excellent communication skills, distinguishing the severity of an emergency situation.
Face-to-Face Triage
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Triage nurses who work face-to-face with patients often work in hospitals or urgent care clinics. In this case, they are trained with the knowledge to take vital signs and collect important information, determining how urgent a patient's condition may be.
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References
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