Urology Nursing

Urology Nursing is the care of the patient with conditions/diseases related to the urinary system. Patient care is extended to both males and females with conditions such as:

Common Male Urological Complaints

• Bladder infections
• Prostate cancer
• Erectile dysfunction
• Kidney stones
• Low testosterone
• Peyronie's Disease

Common Female Urological Complaints

• Kidney stones
• Bladder prolapse
• Fertility issues
• Urinary tract infections
• Bladder control problems
• Sexual dysfunction

Both men and women can suffer from a very common complaint of urinary incontinence. This can take its toll on a patient's health, lifestyle, and the ability to nurture an intimate relationship. Nursing care can occur in hospitals, long term care facilities, or clinics.

Nursing Skills and Qualities

As with any nursing position, caring and compassion are the hallmarks of a good nurse. Other qualities include:

Ability to be sensitive to patients' intimate needs

When dealing with sexual dysfunction and elimination needs, the nurse must strive to be completely non-judgemental and very matter of fact.

Knowledge of current trends and issues as they relate to urology

Patients expect to have their problems addressed and as new advances are made in incontinence and erectile dysfunction care, the nurse is often the person who provides this education.

Ability to assess a patient quickly

Often, patients may not actually come out and tell the nurse the complaint upfront. Excellent communication skills, as well as listening skills, are vital.

Trust

The nurse has to be able to establish a relationship of trust and understanding from the beginning.

Comfort level with technology

Many patients will have done some research or heard about a "new treatment" either online or via the television. As patients are staying active longer, many expect that whatever age-related issues that they have will be fixed.

Work Environment

• Hospital, usually on a urology/renal unit
• Surgery, assisting with procedures like cystoscopies or biopsies
• Urology clinic or free-standing urology practice performing procedures like bladder scans, assisting with in-office cystoscopies or counseling patients on treatment options
• Fertility Clinics

Education

Depending upon the Nurse's location/state, place of employment and/or job description, he or she must be an/a:

• Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)
• Diploma-, ADN-, or BSN-prepared Registered Nurse (RN)
• Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist

The Nurse must be a graduate of an accredited nursing program and must hold an active, unencumbered license in his/her state of practice. 

Professional Organization

The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) membership is open to nurses, students, technicians, and other urologic health care professionals.

Certification

Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA) is the only certifying body for Urologic nurses and associates. After meeting eligibility requirements, the candidate must successfully pass the certification examination.

Earned Credentials

• CURN® - Certified Urologic Registered Nurse
• CUNP® - Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner
• CUA - Certified Urologic Associate (Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

Job Outlook

The (2020) Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs for Registered Nurses to increase 7% by 2029. Growth will occur primarily because of "technological advancements, permitting a greater number of health problems to be treated; an increased emphasis on preventive care; and the large, aging baby boomer population who will demand more healthcare services as they live longer and more active lives than previous generations."

This includes the specialty of Urology Nursing. As new advances in the treatment of prostate cancer, sexual dysfunction, incontinence, and congenital problems occur, there will be more opportunities in this area.

Salaries (2020)

According to glassdoor, the average annual base pay in the U.S. is $65,870.

According to salary.com, the average Urology Nurse Practitioner salary in the U.S. is $92,941 with ranges between $86,241 and $100,964.