Infectious Disease (ID) Nursing

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

Overview

Infectious Disease (ID) Nursing (aka Infection Control) is a Nurse whose primary goal is to identify, prevent, and manage multiple diseases and infections. This nursing specialty has recently received heightened public attention due to the global COVID-19 Pandemic.

These Nurses also address multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO). As antibiotics have become so readily used over the years, we are now facing super-bugs. Only a few years ago, methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA) was thought to be the scourge of the planet. However, we know now that there are far worse organisms. So, infectious disease nursing is more than just nursing of those patients with a simple infection.

As Nurses are on the frontlines of defense against infections spreading in the United States' healthcare facilities, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has partnered with the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to train U.S. nurses in infection prevention and control.

Workplace Environment

The workplace can vary tremendously. Nurses might be bedside collecting cultures from a critically ill patient. They might be at a computer, examining culture results or gathering data for an infectious disease physician. These nurses will be explaining test results to patients and/or explaining precautions to patients and families for care that will be needed upon discharge. Some ID nurses also go into the community to provide education.

Other ID nurses investigate nosocomial or hospital-acquired infections. Medicare/Medicaid and all insurance companies now penalize hospitals for nosocomial infections. Hospitals attempt to mitigate these penalties and count on their ID nurses to investigate and propose solutions to the problem of nosocomial infections.

ID nurses can also be used in occupational health in the setting of evaluating test results for some employees that might have an infectious process. ID nurses can also play a role in employee flu shot programs. There are various positions and opportunities for infectious disease nurses.

Qualities

Analytical Mind

The ability to go from A to B to Z, incorporating complex data. Necessary math skills to incorporate statistical measures in the collected data. ID nurses can also use research methods to collect data and publish it. Many of these skills are attained through an advanced degree.

Compassion

ID nurses deal with an abundant amount of data and facts and figures; it is always important to remember that behind this data, the patient and family await.

Detail-oriented

One must be able to separate the extraneous from the vitally important.

Education

Graduate from accredited Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) nursing program
Successfully pass individual NCLEX examination
Current, unencumbered RN or LPN/LVN U.S. state license

ID nurses in hospitals are associates- or bachelors-prepared and many are masters-prepared RNs. ID nurses are usually very experienced and are stakeholders in a hospital system and knowledgeable about policies and procedures. Nurses that pursue a master's program often obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) but might also obtain a Masters in Public Health.

Certification

Nurses desiring certification may do so through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC).

Requirements for CIC® Certification

Post-secondary degree from an accredited academic institution (associate’s degree or higher) OR a three-year Diploma RN. Note that the three-year diploma RN is accepted through 12/31/20 only.
Recommended 2 years experience in infection prevention and control which includes experience in these specific areas:
- Identification of infectious disease processes
- Surveillance and epidemiologic investigation
- Preventing and controlling the transmission of infectious agents

Job Outlook / Salary (2020)

The present global COVID-19 Pandemic has rapidly changed the outlook for ID Nurses.

According to salary.com, the annual salary in the U.S. is $92,011; ranging between $83,994 and $100,824.