How to Become a Pain Management Nurse
Becoming a pain management nurse can be a fulfilling and financially rewarding career choice. Many nurses aspire to alleviate the suffering of those in pain, and pain management nurses typically earn higher salaries compared to other nursing specialties. This guide will help you understand how to become a pain management nurse, the education you need, and the responsibilities of this profession.
Degree Required: ADN or BSN
How Long to Become: 4-6 years
Job Outlook: 9% growth from 2020-2030 for all RNs (Source: BLS)
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Pain Management Nurse Overview
Pain management nurses are dedicated to helping individuals experiencing pain, whether it’s acute or chronic. They administer medications and apply various treatments to enhance their patients’ quality of life by minimizing pain. Pain management nurses collaborate closely with patients, their families, and healthcare providers to achieve effective pain relief.
How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
A career in pain management nursing is rewarding but can also be emotionally challenging. When pain can only be reduced and not completely eliminated, it can be emotionally taxing. It often involves working with patients and their families who are dealing with significant pain. Pain management nursing may require making tough ethical decisions.
Steps to Becoming a Pain Management Nurse
The initial step to becoming a pain management nurse is to obtain a registered nurse (RN) license. Pain management nursing is a specialized field within RN practice. Here’s how to get started:
1. Earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN):
You can choose between a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN degree. Many employers prefer BSN degrees due to the complexity of pain management nursing.
2. Pass the NCLEX exam to receive RN licensure:
The NCLEX-RN exam consists of multiple-choice questions and assesses your nursing knowledge. Once you pass, you need to apply for a state license, which may have specific requirements.
3. Gain experience in pain management:
Start your career in pain management nursing. Most nurses accumulate experience in hospitals, nursing homes, or specialty offices. Specializations such as oncology or rheumatology can offer valuable experience.
4. Earn pain management nursing certification (PMGT-BC™):
While not mandatory, certification is often required or strongly preferred by employers for advanced positions. To become certified, you typically need at least two years of full-time nursing experience, 30 hours of continuing education in pain management, and 2,000 hours of pain management experience in the past three years.
Pain Management Nurse Education
To become a pain management nurse, you can pursue two educational paths: a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN. Here’s an overview of both options:
ADN Degree:
Admission Requirements: Typically, you need a high school diploma or GED certificate. Some schools might have GPA requirements and require passing grades in subjects like biology, math, and chemistry.
Program Curriculum: The ADN program covers subjects like human anatomy, nursing foundations, infection control, and legal/ethical issues. It also involves clinical fieldwork.
Time to Complete: It takes two years to earn an ADN.
BSN Degree:
Admission Requirements: Usually, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate with a GPA of at least 3.0. Passing grades in subjects such as biology, chemistry, and math may be required.
Program Curriculum: A BSN program delves into advanced topics, including human anatomy, the healthcare system, nursing management, leadership, and additional courses like communication, public health, infection control, and legal/ethical aspects of nursing. Clinical fieldwork is an integral part of this degree.
Time to Complete: BSN programs take four years. If you already have an ADN, you can expedite your education through an RN-to-BSN bridge program.
Pain Management Nurse Licensure and Certification
While not legally required, certification can enhance your career prospects as a pain management nurse. It demonstrates your commitment to the field and your expertise in pain management nursing. Here’s what you need to know about licensure and certification:
RN Licensure:
RN licensure is a prerequisite for pain management nursing.
You obtain an RN license by completing an accredited nursing program with either an ADN or a BSN and successfully passing the NCLEX-RN. Additional state-specific requirements, such as criminal background checks, may apply.
Continuing education is necessary to maintain your RN license, and unprofessional conduct should be avoided.
Pain Management Nursing Certification (PMGT-BC™):
Certification in pain management nursing, while not obligatory, is highly valuable.
To become certified, you generally need at least 2,000 hours of experience in pain management nursing and at least 30 hours of continuing education within the last three years. You must also pass the certification exam.
Certification typically needs to be renewed every five years through ongoing experience in pain management nursing and continuing education.
Working as a Pain Management Nurse
Once you secure your RN license, you can begin working as a pain management nurse. Although pain management is a component of many nursing roles, you can gain extensive experience in settings such as surgery, oncology, and physical or occupational therapy. Additionally, you may choose to specialize in geriatrics, rheumatology, or related fields.
Pain management nursing is predominantly practiced in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and residential care facilities. However, pain management nurses can also work in home healthcare, military healthcare facilities, and correctional nursing settings.
Pain management nurses typically enjoy higher salaries compared to other nursing specialties. According to Indeed, as of October 2021, the average annual salary for pain management nurses is approximately $
104,310, which exceeds the median annual salary for registered nurses in general (around $75,330, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The demand for certified pain management nurses and the requirement for a BSN in this field contribute to the higher earning potential.
Pain management nurses perform various responsibilities depending on their workplace:
Hospitals:
Pain management nurses assist both inpatients and outpatients by administering medication and other pain management treatments. They also educate patients and their families about what to expect regarding pain management. Pain management nurses regularly report pain levels to physicians or nurse practitioners.
Physicians’ Offices:
In physicians’ offices, pain management nurses administer medications to patients and provide nonmedical pain management options. They also educate patients and maintain communication with them regarding their pain levels.
Residential Care:
Pain management nurses in residential care settings, such as nursing homes or hospice care, provide end-of-life care nursing while offering medical pain management and alternative approaches. They also educate patients and their families about pain management.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Pain Management Nurse
How long does it take to become a pain management nurse?
Becoming a pain management nurse typically involves at least two years to earn an ADN and become licensed. However, most pain management nurses have at least two years of nursing experience (required for certification) and a four-year BSN degree.
What opportunities for advancement are available for pain management nurses?
If you have an ADN, you can earn a BSN. Certification can be valuable for advancement, and many employers require or strongly prefer it for higher-level or management positions. You can also become a pain management nurse practitioner. This role offers more autonomy and a higher salary.
Can you become a pain management nurse online?
You can earn your nursing degree online. However, clinical experience for an online nursing student must be completed in person. Most schools will help you find a clinical placement in your community. Once you have your nursing license, you can take the required continuing education for certification online.
What other healthcare professionals do pain management nurses work with?
Pain management nursing calls for working with many other healthcare professionals. You will work with physicians or nurse practitioners who prescribe pain medication. Depending on your workplace, you may work with surgeons, geriatricians, oncologists, rheumatologists, and other specialists. In residential care, you might work with social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, or other mental health specialists.
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