Pain management is a specialty chosen by the RN.
Pain management nursing is a specialty that has evolved out of the need and high demand for qualified health care providers. RNs in this field treat and monitor the pain of their patients in the hopes of providing long-term solutions that allow the individual to lead a higher quality of life.
Specialized Training
This RN specialist helps patients manage their pain.
In order to become a pain management nurse, the caregiver must obtain both her nurse practitioner (NP) and advanced practice nursing (APN) certification. Both the nurse practitioner designation and the advanced practice nursing certification require the RN to attend additional classes beyond her degree and obtain yearly, continuing education credits to maintain her status. Many of the nurses with the advanced training required to become pain management specialists have achieved their master's degree or above.
Job Description
Pain management nurses must have additional training.
The typical duties of a pain management nurse include coordinating the complete care for both acute and chronic pain patients and utilizing quality nursing standards and practices. The specialist must serve as an instructor in the patient and family teaching process. Pain management nurses must be leaders in the health care setting, while working cooperatively with their peers. Like all RNs, these individuals can expect to perform lifting, reaching, pulling, pushing, carrying and walking as part of their routine duties.
Employers
Nurses in pain management work closely with the physician.
According to the 2010-2011 edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 60 percent of all nursing jobs will be within the hospital environment. RNs in this field can expect to locate additional positions with government entities, long-term care facilities, private pain management centers and palliative care organizations, such as hospices. Regardless of where the nurses chooses to work, the demand for them will continue to increase.
Career Path
Effective pain management decreases hospital visits.
In order to work as a pain management nurse, the career path requires the return to school to receive a Master's of Science in nursing, or MSN. At this point, the individual can participate in the certification process for nurse practitioner. The advanced practice training enables the nurse to prescribe and treat patients, which was once reserved only for physicians. Once the certifications have been received, the nurse can seek positions withing his pain management specialty.
Expected Earnings
Prescription pain medications are used effectively by RNs in this field of study.
Pain management nurses require additional education, training and skills. As such, it makes sense these professionals can expect to receive a higher salary for their efforts. The U.S. national average median salary for a specialty care nurse practitioner is currently between $76,723 and $107,493. In contrast, the average salary for a staff nurse runs approximately $20,000 less on an annual basis. Nurses in this field can expect to be compensated with customary benefits in addition to the actual salary.
