Infection Control Nurses Deal With Much More Than Ebola
Infection control nurses specialize in managing disease and infection prevention in healthcare settings and communities.
They typically have specialized training, education, and experience as registered nurses.
Their roles may vary based on the facility, but generally involve identifying, preventing, and managing various diseases and infections.
The recent attention on infection prevention nursing was sparked by the Ebola outbreak in the U.S.
Infection Control and Ebola
The public’s perception of infection control has been influenced by the Ebola situation in the U.S., often associating it with Hazmat suits. However, this image represents only a fraction of the broader role of infection control nurses. Ebola is just one among many diseases that require public education.
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Infection Control Nursing Overview
While Ebola received significant media coverage, other common diseases like influenza affect public health as well. Influenza caused 1,532 deaths in the U.S. in 2011. The media coverage of infection control nurses’ efforts to prevent influenza spread wasn’t as extensive as that of Ebola.
Infection control nurses collaborate with the CDC to safeguard public health. They handle various diseases and infections, including:
- Influenza
- Tuberculosis
- AIDS
- Pneumonia
- Hepatitis
- Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
- Community-acquired infections
- Sexually transmitted infections
They work in diverse settings like hospitals, community care centers, health departments, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Their responsibilities differ based on their roles and workplaces, but typically include:
- Providing infection control advice to patients, the community, and colleagues
- Developing infection prevention measures and educating others about them
- Collaborating on implementing workplace infection control protocols
- Monitoring compliance with infection control protocols by healthcare staff
- Designing and conducting educational classes on infection control education
- Contributing to disaster planning efforts
Infection Control Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $65,470 in 2012. Infection control nurses, given their specialization and advisory roles, may earn more than the median salary. Salaries for infection control nurses can vary depending on the level of certification, experience, and location, but generally, specialized infection control nurse salaries tend to be higher than standard nursing positions.
Career Pathways in Infection Control Nursing
Becoming an infection control nurse begins with graduating from an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. After gaining nursing experience, one can seek a staff nursing position in infection control. Experience as an infection control nurse can lead to certification in the field, such as the infection control certification offered by various professional bodies.
Certification and Education in Infection Control Nursing
While not mandatory, nurses can pursue graduate education in public health, such as a Master’s of Science in Nursing or a Master’s of Public Health. Advanced degrees are often required for leadership roles. However, experience can also be a determining factor in securing positions. Many infection control nurses also complete infection control certification programs to enhance their expertise and career prospects. Infection control education is a key element in this field, as nursing specialties in infection control demand continual learning to keep up with evolving healthcare challenges.
Infection Control Nurses’ Role in Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Infection control nurses play a key role in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). They work closely with healthcare teams to reduce the risk of infections in hospital settings and other healthcare environments. Their duties include monitoring infection rates, reviewing infection control protocols, and conducting infection prevention training for hospital staff. They may also assist in identifying areas for improvement in hospital infection control and collaborate with others to address potential outbreaks.
The Growing Importance of Infection Control Nursing
The presence of Ebola prompted questions about workplace preparedness, staffing of highly trained infection control nurses, education, and policies. The public learned that not all nurses specialize in infection control and that nurses need proper education and tools. The importance of infection control nursing is expected to grow as media highlights health issues and nurses educate the public about their role in disease prevention in healthcare.
Working with the CDC: Infection Control Collaboration
Infection control nurses collaborate with the CDC infection control collaboration to ensure that infection control measures are effectively implemented across healthcare settings. This collaboration is vital for maintaining standards, especially in managing contagious diseases. Infection control nurses provide valuable insight into infection control in healthcare settings, often working alongside public health officials to track and reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
Infection Control Protocols and Best Practices in Healthcare
Infection control protocols are essential in preventing the spread of disease in healthcare settings. Infection control nurses help design, implement, and monitor these protocols, ensuring that healthcare workers follow established guidelines to reduce the risk of infection. They also educate staff on best practices, such as hand hygiene, the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and how to handle contaminated materials.
In conclusion, infection control nurses play a vital role in public health and healthcare settings. As the world faces new and evolving health challenges, their responsibilities in preventing disease, managing infections, and maintaining healthcare safety will continue to grow. With infection control education, certification, and collaboration with organizations like the CDC, infection control nurses are key players in protecting public health.
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