Infection Control Nursing

42pines · Oct 24, 2011

As long as you become APIC (American Professionals in Infection Control) certified, I think you'll find opportunities anyplace, though of course they aren't plentiful. Becoming APIC certified in the ticket and it does an excellent job making sure that you know your business.

In 2004 I was extremely frustrated. I had been told that becoming a MT (Medical Technologist) was the "way to go," to get into IC. I started out wanting to become the IC in a hospital. I was actually told wrong (I believe the RN route is bettter), but after finding the MT program too boring I switched and became an RN.

After working hospital Med/Surg and then moving to a large tertiary Adult ICU, I was even more frustrated. Back in 2004 to sit for the APIC exam you must have worked in Infection Control for a year (part-time was ok). I begged the IC department to let me work, even for free, just 4 or 8 hours a week--no go. (In retrospect it may have been a political decision, which translated to: "don't you dare take any of our ICU nurses away!"

I lost a great deal of respect for APIC then, especially after writing to many people within 100 miles of me who were APIC active (state chapter leaders) and not getting a single response. My take was this fictional discussion was how most people got into APIC:

"Oh, you're so sick of being a floor nurse, why not become our IC nurse?"

"But I have to have been working IC for at least a year to take the exam, and I haven't."

"Of course you have, you practice safe procedures, that's infection control, here I'll sign off for you..."

Seriously, here I was, one of the very few who started my education specifically to become an IC professional, and found myself totally locked out of it. Essentially this requirement locked out some of the people truly interested in the field, while letting others in simply because it, in some places, can be a fairly tranquil job. (Note: While that take may be common--it is NOT always tranquil).

Interestingly APIC has dropped the "practice requirement" meaning that you can take a job as IC for a hospital/rehab and immediately sit for the APIC cert exam. Dropping the work requirement from one year to one day is interesting.

At any rate I would suggest that you utilize your position and study the APIC curriculum, and sit for the exam. Once you are APIC certified, you're golden. Every job that I have ever seen requires APIC certification, there may be some at small facilities that do not require the cert, but they are few.

Good luck and give those 'lil buggers (nasty bacteria/viruses/parasites, etc) a hard time.

see Apic dot org, and Cbic dot org for further info. If you can't find the info at Cbic you may be prevented at seeing the certification tab due to your firewall, if so check with your IT person. It's not a user friendly website for all.

LaxNP, DNP · Oct 24, 2011

I have been in an IC position over a year after leaving the ICU to come to the department. I agree with the above posting that seeking certification is a good idea. You may have to study harder since you may not see too much extensive stuff with a smaller place. I work in a large hospital where we have a department of IC professionals. We are made up of nurses, med techs from the lab and those with an MPH. All and all, I think we are well rounded. IC is extensive and its hard to explain to someone exactly what we do and to what extent, from educauton to signing off on all building construction. I look at building plans about once a week. I know more about water system loops and legionella prevention than I care for, but it is part of the job. Many people don't care for us since we enforce precuations, hand hygiene, infection rates, and the like, however, I feel as though my opinion is well respected. You do need good clinical knowledge in a position like this, but I hopw you find it rewarding.

LuluB · Oct 26, 2011

Thank you both so much for taking the time out to respond. I hope I can use your extensive experience as as resource. I see IC is not a very big community but I hope to make the best of it

Varghese John · Nov 9, 2015

Hi LULU...

I've been working in infection control from past 5 years and engaged with kind of infection control programmes also. This is very interesting field and can achieve best position if you do well. Seeking CIC(certification in Infection control and epidemiology) is fine for prove yourself that you know your job. For the better starting as infection control nurse need to look after NHSN criterias for infection control and need to look into APIC jounels. More over this you will definitely learn a lot from your day today activities.

kevin1987 · Nov 17, 2015

Hello , I am new to this community .I am working as IP in 200 bed hospital since 2 years , I had done some basic infection control course .I am planning to do CIC, I bought 6 edition but it contains only guide for study with some practice questions.If anyone of you have 4th edition kindly share with me it will be very helpful. ....Thank u.