Endometriosis nursing

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Does anyone know what the options are for a nurse wanting to work with women who have, or are newly diagnosed with, Endometriosis as a specialty? I would love to work with women like this as I have some expertise in this area having the condition myself. However, I have absolutely no wish to work with babies or pregnant women and it seems that OB-GYN lumps all women of reproductive years together. Is there a way to specialize in this disease and avoid all the other stuff?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

A specialty within a specialty? Highly doubtful. That would be similar to a surgeon who refuses to operate on anything but gall bladders. Such practices couldn't sustain themselves financially. I suppose you might find the rare MD that only focused on endometriosis treatment, but my guess is that they are few and far between.

And BTW, I have discovered in my years of nursing that it is wiser for me to avoid practicing in an area that has affected my life. That helps me keep the focus on the patient, and not be tempted to insert myself and my experience into the patient's care.

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I don't know about endometriosis only but I know my gyne does not see pregnant women. So maybe a gyne doctor's office who specializes in gyne issues.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Yep, very unlikely. You MIGHT be able to find a position working for an infertility specialist, as I'm sure they work with plenty of women who deal or have dealt with endometriosis. Or, find a position working for a gynecologist who does not deliver babies (I actually go to one for my paps and such). Your best bet however, would be to focus on getting a position on an OB/GYN floor and put some time in there before you try to get any more specialized.

The truth is, from what I read on this site anyway, as a new grad you may be lucky to find a job period, depending on where you live of course. So, again, you will probably have to settle for a hospital floor at first. I would consider working as an aide on an OB/GYN floor, to improve your chances of getting a job there after graduating.

Remember... on an OB/GYN floor, you will certainly run into many women who've had hysterectomies due to endometriosis. Good opportunity to talk with them and offer a supportive ear.

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Look up the Endometriosis Association online.

Look up their list of member physicians. Specifically look into surgeons. There are a few well known surgeons out there who specialize in endo tx. Hopefully you can find one near you. See what hospitals they take their surgical cases to. Some of the well known ones, like mine, will bring many, many cases in to the OR. A note about the surgeons, the more prolific, the more they are ever moving targets. Tough to get hold of/get to know unless you are a patient, and you are currently "circling on approach" to surgery (as I like to describe it). After all, surgery is their gig.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Thanks for your replies everyone. NurseCard, I am not a new grad. I'm a 20 yr Critical Care nurse and I want to get involved in the specialty while I work towards becoming an APRN. I specifically want to work with women who have Endometriosis. I'm not really interested in the infertility aspect, more the disease process, pain issues and illness connected with the disease. There are Endo specialists and I know most of them, having met them through the Endometriosis Association, but they are based either in Oregon, NY or Maine and I live in CT.

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with MDs who focus on the disease without lumping it in with fertility or pregnancy. Also, too many OBGYNs focus on synthetic hormones, and I am looking to work in an environment that advocates a holistic approach. Maybe I'll start my own practise.

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