It is also important that nurses take an accurate evaluation of patient outcomes. The average annual salary of a director of ambulatory care is $92,000. The one requirement to qualify as ambulatory nursing care is that treatment is provided in a location other than the hospital. After graduating from nursing school, you must pass the NCLEX to assess minimum competency as an RN. The lowest hourly income is around $28 while the highest can be $45 or more. Along with the opportunity to provide hundreds of procedures, you will encounter various patient conditions depending on your specialty. They may also work under the supervision of a physician or surgeon to help patients that need advanced care. Ambulatory care is a specialty that stands on a broad base of health care, applied clinical science, and nursing; you would be required to rely on evidence-based knowledge and research in carrying out your role. Non-Acute Surgical and Diagnostic Settings, Experienced training as a registered nurse, Great assessment skills and clinical judgment, Ability to assess complex problems and serious conditions. If you are interested in the field of nursing, you may want to explore ambulatory care.
This role requires you to oversee and manage the operations of a healthcare clinic. For example, nurses working in a clinic may assist walk-in patients, monitor various patient vitals, answer questions and draw labs. Essentially, they focus on maximizing preventative care so patients have the best possible outcomes. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is often recommended by most employers and sets you apart from other candidates. In earning a masters degree in health science and policy, youd equip yourself with many skills at a higher level to lead an ambulatory care facility. These medical professionals act as an integral part of the relationship between the consumer and the healthcare agencies, providers, and businesses. While these roles seem as if they would occupy the same space in various organizations, that isnt necessarily the case. Nurses who have experience and education beyond the standard bachelors degree have a higher chance of making more money. This degree offers a wide view into the modern health care system. You want to create a clinical environment that leads employees to provide high-quality care. Youll discuss how to evaluate proper staffing so that the delivery of telehealth services works for your patients; and so you are able to operate and maintain the telehealth network. For example, if you have experience in telemetry, your skills will translate perfectly to a cardiology ambulatory clinic. Each setting and specialty will have different functions, but you can usually expect ascheduled day unless you work in a walk-in clinic. Ambulatory care simply means that youre able to receive healthcare for a health issue that, while in past decades it may have meant a days-long hospital stay, now it can be performed on an outpatient basis. Therefore, spending time in a hospital setting and developing your skills will significantly improve your odds of getting hired. The field is expected to grow by 26% through 2022. Likewise, these nurses must have superior critical reasoning skills to identify complex health concerns and treat potentially life-threatening conditions. Additionally, having a specialization also increases the potential for financial gain. Getting down to the smaller details, you may be responsible for recruiting new employees, overseeing their training, and doing performance evaluations. [ MORE: Earn your CEUs online, 100% free with Incredible Health. On Demand This recorded seminar also includes the certification exam youll use to obtain credits for continuing education. They are well-versed in a variety of diagnoses and techniques to make patient lives better. You also need to be skilled in the operational areas of administering such a facility. Youll be expected to adapt with little notice to changes in regulation, processes, and technology. In other words, nurses provide care on an outpatient basis. In order to become an ambulatory care nurse, you must work for two years as a registered nurse and deliver 2,000 hours of clinical practice in ambulatory care, and 30 hours of continuing education. These unique situations require that the patient trust their nurse even if they arent in the same room as the patient. ]. They also do telephone triage, perform case management, and provide medical screenings. As patients arrive you will check them in or perform intake assessments including vital signs and possibly starting IVs if the patient is undergoing a procedure. have 2,000 hours of ambulatory care experience, complete 30 hours of continued education in ambulatory care, American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing, Assess the needs of patients to establish preventative plans, Educate patients and their families in self-managing their health choices, Guide patients through various health-related activities, Maintain patient wellness through appropriate care, Support effective and appropriate clinical activities. This can be a very lucrative career path, as ambulatory care nurses are also registered nurses who work in a specialized field. Another important factor to consider is obtaining ambulatory care nursing certification. Specifically, employment growth will increase in health practitioners offices. Telehealth is a new concept in healthcare services. First, you must obtain a bachelors degree of nursing from an accredited program to be able to sit for the RN exam. What is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Ambulatory care nursing is a growing field open to nurses of all backgrounds and experience levels. These include leadership, communication, analytical, interpersonal, technical skills, and problem-solving. Ambulatory care nursing, also called outpatient nursing, is a nursing specialization that involves the treatment of patients outside of a hospital. Youll learn from case studies which telehealth efforts worked and which ones did not. Depending on the reason for the patients visit you may monitor them after a procedure, follow up on a chronic issue, or educate them on symptoms, diets, or medications. Nurses seek this specialty for a healthier work/life balance while still maintaining hands-on skills and interacting with less critical patients. This job is known as care coordination and transition management. These registered nurses provide care to individuals, families, and caregivers across the life span of the patients. If you are a nurse considering a change to ambulatory care nursing, being proficient with the patient population you will be caring for will be a huge advantage. In one state (California), the Administrator Certification Section provides official support to administrators who need to meet their initial certification and recertification requirements. You will have frequent and nearly constant contact with patients and staff. This is because ambulatory care nurses work with individuals who are emotionally sensitive about their needs. Incredible Health offers a wide variety of free continuing education courses. While there are a number of areas where RNs do their best work, this could be a lucrative and interesting position in a field that is consistently growing. Additionally, it is your responsibility to: Most individuals in this field work at private offices and clinics. Taking the time to research this field and determine whether or not this would be a good fit is key. In the fall, students take COHE 6000 and COHE 6610. The operations for which youll be responsible include human resources and finance. What Is The Role of An Ambulatory Care Nursing? Youll also oversee general management operations. Other places these nurses work include ambulatory surgery and diagnostic procedure centers, telehealth, community health clinics, VA centers, and rural clinics. An ambulatory nurses ability to establish a lasting relationship with a patient is also vital.
Median salaries for ambulatory care RNs range from approximately $75K-85K, depending on the location. They must also have acquired 2,000 hours of clinical practice in an ambulatory care setting and have at least 30 hours of continued education. Ensure that the work environment is safe. Those who enter this field must be proficient at their work, excellent communicators, highly collaborative, and independent. These are some of the traits that make for a successful ambulatory care nurse: One advantage of ambulatory care nursing is interacting with different patients and performing a multitude of tasks and skills. Focus: An ambulatory care nurse must be focused, as they are dealing with a number of clients on a consistent basis. Many of the skills needed for ambulatory care nursing can be learned on the job, but it will be less of a learning curve if you have a few years of acute care experience. With the landscape of the healthcare environment changing, there are a number of careers that function outside of a hospital setting that still impact the way medical services are rendered. As a result, these medical professionals spend a lot of time performing examinations and educating patients on their health. Its never boring and each day can bring something new. Working as an administrator or manager in an ambulatory care facility means youll be responsible for a number of public health duties. The AAACN defines a characteristic of ambulatory care nursing as a patient encounter that can occur once or as a series of interactions that last less than 24 hours. The demand for health services managers, such as ambulatory care administrators and managers is expected to rise by 18% between 2018 and 2028.
Telehealth services are becoming an option that brings ambulatory care centers into the 21st century. To begin on the path toward ambulatory care, you need a degree in nursing. 
The average salary for an ambulatory care nurse is about $62,000. These continuing education requirements can be obtained in one of several ways such as short courses, online programs, workshops, third-party programs, or certifications. How do you become an ambulatory care nurse in 3 steps? As a result, patients lead more healthy, mobile, and active lives. The reason for this is you will be transitioning between different patients, scenarios, diseases, and skills frequently. Ambulatory care centers and facilities are in demand and that need is continuing to increase. You coordinate human resources, scheduling, and financial so that the medical and nursing personnel can focus on their own jobs. Ambulatory care nurses diagnose ailments, aid in pain management, and give health advice to patients suffering from chronic injuries or illnesses. Ultimately, their goal is to ensure adequate patient care throughout the individuals healthcare process. This ambulatory nursing certification opens up a whole world of possibilities for you as a nursing professional. Because ambulatory nurses care for patients on a case-by-case basis outside of an inpatient stay, these nurses have relatively brief contact with patients. The most common criteria expected include: After you have met the additional criteria, you are eligible to obtain an Ambulatory Care Nurse Certification. This helps reduce unnecessary hospital visits that overburden healthcare facilities and the healthcare system. AAACN defines a characteristic of ambulatory care nursing, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Modifications were introduced to the NCLEX, Earn your CEUs online, 100% free with Incredible Health, American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing, Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse, ambulatory care nurses in an oncology setting, American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification, American Board of Perianesthesia Certification. Therefore, this article doesnt cover all aspects of ambulatory care but provides an overview of the topic. In this position, youll work behind the scenes, helping to make the jobs of the front-line nurses and doctors easier. Ambulatory nursing is a diverse, complex, and expansive profession that offers many outpatient care opportunities for experienced registered nurses. | Job Description and Duties, Potential Disqualifying Flight Nurse Factors, What Is A Medical Assistant?
Attending nursing school and obtaining a nursing degree is the first step to this specialty. Then get matched with nursing jobs to pay it. Currently, the ACS offers a full list of courses for administrators to take. Versatility: An ambulatory care nurse must be able to juggle a variety of things at one time to keep their productivity high and effectiveness even higher. 0)No schools found or there was a problem, please try again later. If you are already an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing, there are many options for obtaining a BSN degree. Finally, ambulatory care nurses working in telehealth services provide health monitoring and guidance over the phone or the internet. 
As healthcare continues to expand the demand for highly skilled ambulatory care nurses will continue to grow. Candidates have five hours to complete the exam.
Some ambulatory care nurses work closely with patients while others provide supplementary care to physicians and/or clinics. A nursing program can deliver a Diploma in Nursing, or they can obtain a three year degree. Youll also learn why these efforts didnt work. There are a number of internship requirements needed to obtain the initial RN designation. Because ambulatory care nurses work outside of a hospital setting, they work in an individual or collaborative capacity providing patients with individualized care and treatment plans. Childbirth, gallbladder surgery, cataract surgery: all of these can be completed the same day you check in. As you monitor or discharge a patient you will document accordingly. If you are an acute care nurse who is easily stressed from high-acuity patients or heavy workloads, ambulatory care nursing offers a more scheduled, predictable environment with less uncertainty.
For example, if you are in an ambulatory wound care clinic, your patients may often present with pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, or ostomies. Friese, C. R., & Himes-Ferris, L. (2013). Working as an ambulatory nurse can be highly rewarding for both the nurse and the patient. Few people really understand the diverse world of nursing. You can continue working while you finish your degree. While some states and locations accept an associate degree in nursing, a bachelors or even a masters opens up even more opportunities for practicing as a registered nurse. If youre interested in learning more about ambulatory care, this thread from Allnurses.com provides amazing discussions! This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. All Rights Reserved. It takes a lot of work to obtain the necessary specialization, but is well worth the time and effort involved in getting it done. Nursing programs vary in the time needed to get the educational requirements. Ambulatory care nurses have a high degree of versatility. With your nursing experience and knowledge, you would be highly capable of managing an ambulatory care setting, from a day surgery unit to a wellness center. 