I've been working in IC/IP for about 5 years and only for 2 different facilities. Both of my facilities are quite different, and the position of IP/IC nurse has permitted me quite a bit of flexibility as far as schedule goes. For the most part, I haven't worked weekends for the past 5 years. There was only one time that I offered to come in one Saturday to meet with a family to do some education about a CRE infection in a family member. As far as 8 or 12 hours shifts, in both of my positions I (along with others in my department) was given the liberty to work 40 hours however we wanted. For the most part we had some early risers that preferred to come in 6-3, and then we had those that preferred to sleep in so they worked 10-7. Our boss was very easy going and allowed us to flex our hours as long as one of us was in the office between the hours of 8-5. She even permitted working from home a few hours on days when we were not going into the office due to personal appointments.
Right now I work for a 50 bed Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital (IRF). We have an inpatient therapy gym on each floor with 25 patient beds. We also have a therapy pool and outpatient gym on our ground floor. These things offer different infection control/prevention opportunities/risks than a typical inpatient acute facility. I conduct daily (sometimes more) rounding to do hand hygiene/PPE observations, and conduct surveillance for any infection control concerns. I review all cultures on all patients daily and order isolation if it has not already been done. I will also meet with patients/family to do education on any organisms and also discuss the importance of hand hygiene. I conduct daily surveillance on all invasive lines (foleys/CVCs-we don't have vents at this time) to make sure that the nurse is documenting the continued necessity (or that it is being removed or to be discussed with the provider) and that the physician also documents the medical necessity. I am the co-chair for our Infection Control Committee (ICC) so I prepare all the data/charts/presentations for that. I also review any policies that may need amending and write proposed changes for them to present to the ICC meeting. I present at general hospital orientation the IC/IP information. I participate in EOC rounds and several committees representing and driving the IP/IC components. I am also the Employee Health Nurse & Workers' Compensation Champion. So I manage that as well, reviewing all new hires immunizations, drawing blood for titer checks, conducting fit testing, reporting any injuries, reviewing and managing any WC claims. As far as my hours go, I work whenever really. My boss is very flexible, but I prefer to come in early to get the night shift nurses if I need to do any training/immunization with them. I also flex my hours if it is needed to adjust for the census.
It's actually quite a bit, but that is it (in a nutshell) for where I am currently working. See the link below when I posted about where I used to work. I would still be working there had I not needed to relocate for my spouse's employment. I love IP/IC world… and can't imagine ever leaving this kind of nursing. Good luck to you!!
https://allnurses.com/infectious-disease-nursing/becoming-an-infectious-775679.html#post6937961
