Otorhinolaryngology is a branch of medicine which centers its attention on illnesses and disorders that mainly affect the ear, nose, and throat (ENT). Employment in this field requires highly specialized and deep knowledge of the head, neck, ears, nasal passages, and throat, and how these areas relate to and interact with one another. Professionals in this field are commonly referred to as ear, nose, and throat, or ENT professionals. Otorhinolaryngology nurses are ENT professionals who provide direct care to patients who are suffering from ENT illnesses and disorders. These nurses will typically treat both acute and chronic problems in these areas. Common problems treated by ENT nurses include ear infections, genetic abnormalities, laryngitis, sinusitis, cancer, sleep apnea, tonsillitis, and more. Although ENT nurses can treat all kinds of patients, from infants to children to adults, some choose to specialize in areas like pediatric otorhinolaryngology. Others will focus on a particular type of problem, such as nasal allergies.
What Are Some ENT Nurse Duties?
Some of the duties carried out by ENT nurses include:
Assisting physicians in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with injuries and disorders of the ear, nose, throat, cranial nerves, skin, and neck
Collecting samples and maintaining records of patients' medical histories and symptoms
Examining and assessing the health of a patient's ears, nose, and throat using tools like otoscopes, tongue depressors, and others
Educating patients on how to properly manage their condition at home
Monitoring vital signs and administering medication
Collecting samples from affected areas
Assisting physicians with surgical procedures
Preparing patients for surgery
Where Do ENT Nurses Work?
ENT nurses can work in a variety of workplace settings, including the following:
Hospitals
Allergy clinics
ENT physician offices
Long-term nursing care facilities
Plastic surgery practices
Assisted living facilities
Specialty clinics
Cancer centers
Community health centers
How to Become an Otorhinolaryngology Nurse
ENT nursing is a highly specialized field which requires an exceptional amount of knowledge having to do with the ears, nasal passages, and the throat. Nurses will need to focus on these areas of the body, gaining experience in the ENT field after completing their undergraduate nursing education.
Step 1: Educational Requirements
Before becoming a certified otorhinolaryngology nurse, you must first earn an ADN or BSN degree from an accredited university or college. You must then pass the NCLEX-RN exam and gain a license to practice as an RN. Once this has been completed, you must then gain three years of clinical experience in an otorhinolaryngology setting before you're eligible to sit for the certification exam.
Do Otorhinolaryngology Nurses Need an RN Degree?
Otorhinolaryngology nurses will need to possess an active and unencumbered RN licenses and, in most cases, obtain additional educational and experiential qualifications to gain an Otorhinolaryngology Nursing Certification. In order to do this, an ADN or BSN degree will be needed.
Certification for otorhinolaryngology nurses is carried out through Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head/Neck Nurses. To be eligible to gain the Otorhinolaryngology Nursing Certification credential you must have the following:
A current and unrestricted RN license
Have at least three years of experience working as an RN in the field of ear, nose, and throat nursing
ENT Nurse Jobs, Salary & Employment
Because otorhinolaryngology is a highly specialized discipline, nurses with the right qualifications, education, and experience won't find it difficult to find gainful employment in a wide variety of healthcare settings.
Job Description & Information
Essential Skills Needed - Advanced knowledge regarding ENT pathophysiology and disease diagnosis, must be sensitive and empathetic to the needs of patients and their loved ones, ability to work well in teams, superb interpersonal communication skills, and attention to detail
Job Outlook - the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment rates for registered nurses will increase by 16% between 2014 and 2024. We should also expect the growth rate for otorhinolaryngology nurses to be similar to this figure.
What Is the Average Salary of an Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Nurse?
According to ZipRecruiter, the median yearly wage for ENT nurses is approximately $77,882. Salaries will inevitably vary depending on factors like the employing organization, city and state of employment, years of clinical experience in the field, education level, credentials, and certifications. Some of the same factors will also contribute to the kinds of benefit packages ENT nurses will receive from their employer. Most, however, can expect medical, dental, vision, prescription, and sometimes life insurance included in their employment benefit packages. A couple to a few weeks of paid time off also isn't out of the norm for ENT nurses.
