Enterostomy Therapy nurses, also referred to as ET or stoma nurses, are registered nurses who specialize in the management and care of patients with urinary and fecal diversions and/or incontinence. These nurses assist physicians in performing ostomies and help patients to continually care for them after the procedure has been performed. It's common for ET nurses to make house calls, especially following surgeries, to help patients with cleaning or troubleshooting a malfunctioning ostomy device, caring for skin infections near the ostomy, and helping to alleviate the pain that's often caused by the ostomies.
What Are Some Enterostomy Therapy Nurse Duties?
Common duties that ET nurses are tasked with may include:
Ensure patients are properly cared for before, during, and after enterostomy surgical procedures
Determine optimal place for a stoma
Prepare the patients who require enterostomy procedures
Following surgical procedures, educate patients and their loved ones on the correct methods to care for an ostomy
Clean and change ostomy appliances as needed
Act as a source of information about ostomy appliances and supplies for patients and loved ones
Help patients manage their pain
Assist patients with the first few ostomy appliance changes
Provide guidance on the various lifestyle changes and diets that can help to maintain ostomy health
Treat complications that may arise such as blockages, fistula, skin irritation and others
Where Do Enterostomy Therapy Nurses Work?
ET nurses are generally found wherever ostomy procedures and maintenance are performed. This can include:
Hospitals
Private healthcare facilities
Physician offices
Home health
Assisted living facilities
Hospice
Long-term care facilities
How to Become an Enterostomy Therapy Nurse
Becoming an enterostomy therapy nurse means first earning an appropriate degree and becoming licensed as an RN. Although eligibility requirements will vary from certification to certification, most enterostomy therapy certifications - and there are many - will require you to complete at least 50 hours of experience and/or a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Education Program. Additional experience in the field is also recommended.
Step 1: Educational Requirements
To become an enterostomy therapy nurse, the following educational requirements must be met:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university
Pass the NCLEX-RN prelicensure exam
Hold an active and unrestricted RN license
* In some cases, ET nurses will have Master's or doctoral degrees
Do Enterostomy Therapy Nurses Need an RN Degree?
Yes, enterostomy therapy nurses are required to hold an active and unencumbered RN license. This means that they should hold an ADN or BSN degree, though BSN degrees are generally preferred by hospitals.
* Eligibility requirements for these certifications generally include holding a BSN degree or higher, holding an active an unrestricted RN license, having a specific amount of direct patient care hours, and having completed a certain number of pertinent continuing education hours.
The highly specialized nature of this career compounded by technological advances in the field mean that ET nursing jobs won't be going away anytime soon.
Job Description & Information
Essential Skills Needed - Ability to anticipate the needs of patients, teamwork, leadership, ability to work well with hands, ability to maintain proper protocol, ability to provide and manage care under the direction of physicians and nursing management, strong communication skills, technical abilities, and problem-solving skills
Job Outlook - The job outlook for anyone who's working in the nursing field is especially good - including nurses in the ET specialty. In fact, the BLS has projected that the number of available nursing jobs will grow by 16 percent through the year 2026.
What Is the Average Salary of an Enterostomy Therapy Nurse?
According to PayScale, the average yearly salary for wound care nurses is approximately $67,975. On top of their base annual salaries, ET nurses usually receive employee benefits packages which include generous medical insurance coverage as well as yearly allotments of sick leave and/or paid time off, retirement plans, and sometimes life insurance options. Salaries and the contents of benefits packages will vary based on city, state, and employer. Additional factors that will influence how much an ET nurse can make include educational levels, the clinical experience, and certifications held.
How Much Do Enterostomy Therapy Nurses Make per Year?
$49,000 – $95,000 annually
How Much Do Enterostomy Therapy Nurses Make per Hour?
