How long does it take to become a dermatology nurse?

Question:

How long does it take to become a dermatology nurse?

Answer:

In the U.S., becoming a dermatology nurse can take from 4 to 6 years of education and clinical training. First, aspirants need to become Registered Nurses (RN). To do so, they need to earn an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). An ADN takes two years to complete and a BSN takes four. BSN programs are mostly aimed at students that want to reach leadership positions. Once they receive their undergraduate degree in nursing, aspirants will need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Passing this exam allows them to start working as RNs in a healthcare facility. After passing the NCLEX-RN, they will have to successfully complete at least 2 years of dermatology nursing experience. This makes them eligible for a certification like the Dermatology Nursing Certification (DNC).

For more information about dermatology nurses, check out this article: Dermatology Nurse Practitioner: Salary & Job Description

Dermatology Nurse Practitioner: Salary & Job Description

Career Definition of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners

As a dermatology nurse practitioner, you will work with patients with skin, nail, or hair issues. You will see a range of issues, including psoriasis, cutaneous lymphoma, and acne, and you’ll typically consult with dermatologists, surgeons, or other medical professionals. You could work in a hospital, physician’s office, or clinic.

Your primary job duty as a dermatology nurse practitioner will be to conduct thorough patient evaluations. This will involve obtaining a full medical history from patients, including what medications they take, performing a physical examination, and ordering any necessary tests and analyzing the results. You will then develop a diagnosis based on your evaluation and develop a treatment plan. Other job duties may include administering treatments like wound suturing or injections, prescribing medications, instructing patients and their support system on proper care for their condition, and responding to patient telephone calls. You could also be tasked with developing and employing methods to improve both compliance and patient care.

Sources: *PayScale.com, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Required Education

Prior to entering a nurse practitioner training program, you will need to become a registered nurse, which involves passing a national exam and meeting state requirements. A master’s degree is required to work as a dermatology nurse practitioner. You will receive classroom training in areas like physiology, anatomy and nursing care and also have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations. To work as a nurse practitioner, some states require that you obtain national board certification through an accredited organization.

Required Skills

As a dermatology nurse practitioner, you should have a strong sense of empathy to deal with patients, some of whom may have painful or serious skin conditions. In addition, you should also have excellent communication skills in order to address patient concerns and explain treatments and follow-up care. You will also need an ability to collaborate with doctors and other nurses on treatment plans and to ensure patients received streamlined care.

Career Outlook and Salary

A dermatology nurse practitioner would fall under the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) category of ‘nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners.’ The BLS reports this category has an estimated job growth of 45% during 2019-2019, which is much faster than the average for all categories. The outlook specifically for nurse practitioners is estimated to be even higher at 52% during the same time period. This strong job growth stems from patients pursuing preventive healthcare services, as well as senior citizens needing more healthcare services. Dermatology nurse practitioners make a median annual salary of $94,742, according to PayScale data from November 2020.

Related Careers

If a healthcare career interests you, then you might want to consider working as a dermatology technician or another kind of advanced practice nurse. If you have a particular interest in helping skin look its best, becoming a skin care technician could be a possible career path. These related options are highlighted below.

• Skin Care Technician: Job Description & Requirements
• Certified Nurse Midwife: Salary, Duties & Requirements
• Dermatology Technician: Employment Info & Requirements