Infectious Disease vs Infection Control Nurse

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  1. This is a discussion on Infectious Disease vs Infection Control Nurse in Infectious Disease Nursing, part of Nursing Specialties ... Hello. Is there a difference between an infectious disease nurse and an infection control nurse,...

    by Oct 10, '07
    Hello. Is there a difference between an infectious disease nurse and an infection control nurse, or do those titles represent the same person?

    I always thought an ID nurse was a nurse that just worked in ID, while an IC nurse was more of an administrative person who worked on guidelines and made sure all the proper procedures were followed to prevent infections. Am I right or wrong?

    Thanks,
    B
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    by bicleu Oct 10, '07 5:14 pm
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  2. 11 Comments so far...

  3. Jun 17, '08 by
    Quote from bicleu
    Hello. Is there a difference between an infectious disease nurse and an infection control nurse, or do those titles represent the same person?

    I always thought an ID nurse was a nurse that just worked in ID, while an IC nurse was more of an administrative person who worked on guidelines and made sure all the proper procedures were followed to prevent infections. Am I right or wrong?

    Thanks,
    B
    I agree with what you wrote with the differences between an IDN and an ICN (ICP). I have had one ICP tell me that they are the same, where I work, I feel that the floor staff think that I am both. :caduceus:
    sauconyrunner likes this.
  4. Jun 29, '08 by
    Quote from bicleu
    Hello. Is there a difference between an infectious disease nurse and an infection control nurse, or do those titles represent the same person?

    I always thought an ID nurse was a nurse that just worked in ID, while an IC nurse was more of an administrative person who worked on guidelines and made sure all the proper procedures were followed to prevent infections. Am I right or wrong?

    Thanks,
    B
    Over here, it's actually the same. Just depends on what they chose to call you.And I'm just an ICLN.
  5. Jul 13, '08 by
    Being an ICP is different than being an infectious disease nurse. There are physicians who specialize in infectious diseases, and some hospitals have floors specifically devoted to this specialty. An infectious disease nurse would work in this type of environment.

    However, infection control professionals can be nurses, epidemiologists or medical technologists. We deal with adherence to state, OSHA and Joint Commission requirements. ICPs generally do not do direct patient care, rather the work is more administrative in nature. There are tremendous opportunities for staff education if you like this sort of thing. There is a professional society called APIC www.apic.org if you want to learn more.
    aura_of_laura likes this.
  6. Aug 27, '08 by
    Actually, the INfectious Disease Nurse or consultant are those handling infectious cases/patients while the INfection COntrol Nurse is the administrative nurse who deals with policy making, surveillance of healthcare acquired infections and the like. the ICN is more on the supervisory role, making sure that guideline were followed and staff, visitors and patients are protected from infections.
  7. Dec 5, '09 by
    If I were thinking about being an infection control nurse, what are the appropriate steps to take? I am a new graduate nurse with a BSN and BS in Microbiology. I love "bugs"! How does one begin the process? Is having staff nurse experience required? I took a look at ACIP and CBIC and probably won't be able to purchase the latest texts because of it's cost. Any feedback would be appreciated!
  8. Dec 22, '09 by
    Quote from nurse_kv
    If I were thinking about being an infection control nurse, what are the appropriate steps to take? I am a new graduate nurse with a BSN and BS in Microbiology. I love "bugs"! How does one begin the process? Is having staff nurse experience required? I took a look at ACIP and CBIC and probably won't be able to purchase the latest texts because of it's cost. Any feedback would be appreciated!

    IMHO as an RN with 15 years experience before going into IC as a Surveillance Nurse. I would tell you to go get some experience. You need to understand the reality of the units before you can teach and do the work. It's part detective too. lol I was hired because my background filled in the gaps the other nurse was missing. Good luck.
  9. Apr 5, '10 by
    In my experience, the best way to learn to be an infection control nurse is to be mentored by another one, preferably one who works in your same type of hospital. I was kind of thrown into the position (my predecessor actually left two weeks before I started), and I have wasted a ton of time trying to construct what IC means for my facility!

    If you have the desire, look for a position - you can't get your certification until you have two years IC experience, so everyone is starting somewhere! To make yourself appealing to prospective employers, bone up on OSHA regulations, CDC infection control guidelines, epidemiology, and maybe create a few teaching tools or teaching plans.
    sauconyrunner and my_purpose like this.
  10. Apr 12, '10 by
    Here in Brazil, the nurse of infectious diseases accompanying patients with hepatitis, AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, leprosy, etc.
    And the nurse who makes the control of infection is responsible for statistical data, protocols designed to antimicrobial therapy and prevention of infection, among other issues.
  11. Jul 7, '10 by
    Unless I missed it, this is the only topic with the word "infect . . . " in it. I was looking for an "Infection Control Nursing" topic to browse here. Maybe the moderators could make an Infection Control Nursing topic heading.

    Opera
    sauconyrunner likes this.

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