How to Become a Transplant Nurse

Organ transplant surgeries are life-saving procedures that give the recipient a new lease on life. But did you know that nurses play a vital role in the transplant process aside from post-op care? So much so that there is an entire specialty dedicated to it. This fulfilling role is one of the most exciting nursing specialties out there. So you might be wondering how to become a transplant nurse.

This specialty allows nurses to care for patients during every step of the organ transplant process. It's both incredibly rewarding and provides a great professional challenge. To celebrate National Donate Life Month this April, we're looking at what a transplant nurse does, how you can become one, and the transplant nurse salary you can expect.

What is a Transplant Nurse?

Like other nursing specialties, a transplant nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who focuses on one area of patient care. As a transplant nurse, you'll work with patients who are donating or receiving organs and help coordinate their care before, during, and after surgery. Depending on the hospital or facility you work in, you may focus on specific types of transplants, such as kidney or liver transplants, or work with patients who need a wide variety of transplants.

What Does a Transplant Nurse Do?

When caring for living organ donors, a transplant nurse's role is often focused on education. Those donating an organ—whether to a friend, family member, or stranger—have lots of questions. You'll help answer those questions and provide education about what to expect. Transplant nurses also provide physical care for patients after they undergo surgery for organ donation.

The same is true for organ recipients. Often patients who need a transplant have other chronic health conditions to manage. Transplant nurses provide care and comfort for patients around the surgical process. They also provide care for their other physical, mental, and emotional needs. Some transplant nurses even help in the operating room during the transplant surgery. Once the patient's transplant is complete, nurses monitor for complications like organ rejection and provide specific post-operative care as the patient recovers.

How to Become a Transplant Nurse

If you're wondering how to become a transplant nurse, the first step you'll need to take is the same as most other nursing careers—completing your degree. You can earn either an Associate's Degree in Nursing, but a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is preferred in today's healthcare job market. You'll then need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed in your state as an RN. From there, you may be able to get a transplant nursing job right away. Or you may need to gain some experience by working as a nurse in another, such as on a medical-surgical floor or in the ICU, before applying.

Transplant Nurse Qualifications

When applying for a transplant nurse job, what should you expect? Aside from the basic requirements of having your degree and passing the NCLEX, here are a few typical qualifications you'll want to consider:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
• Excellent communication skills with patients, families, and other healthcare providers
• Previous experience in operating room nursing and/or critical care
• Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse Certification (not required, but often preferred)

Do I Need a Certification to Be a Transplant Nurse?

Those wondering how to become transplant nurses often worry about getting additional certifications before they can find a job. The good news is that you don't need to be certified for this specialty.

But RNs who want to become transplant nurses might want to consider sitting for the American Board for Transplant Certification exam. Being certified helps you stand out from other jobseekers and shows that you're an expert in your specialty. To take the certification exam, you'll need at least 12 months of experience caring for patients undergoing organ transplants and at least two total years of nursing experience.

Where to Find Transplant Nursing Jobs

More than 42,000 organ transplants were performed in 2022. This means there is no shortage of jobs if you want to become a transplant nurse. And with more than 104,000 people on the national transplant waiting list, this need isn't going away anytime soon.

The majority of transplant nurse jobs exist within larger hospitals and health systems. However, you can also find jobs in other settings. Minor transplant procedures can take place in outpatient ambulatory surgery centers. You can also find a job in specialized organ transplant facilities that only focus on transplant procedures.

Transplant Nurse Salary

Since being a transplant nurse is a specialty position, you might be wondering how much you could make. Transplant nurse salaries can vary depending on the state you live in and which type of facility you work in.

The current national average transplant nurse salary is $106,105 per year. That's about $51 per hour. By comparison, the national average salary for a non-specialized RN is $77,976 per year.

So, while transplant nurses don't make quite as much as nurses in other specialties, you can expect a nice paycheck. Not to mention the priceless fulfillment you receive from helping patients through a life-changing procedure.