How to Become an Infection Control Nurse
Explore the World of Infection Control Nursing and Practice.
You’ve probably heard a lot about infection and diseases since the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection Control Nurses (ICNs) strive to identify, prevent, and manage diseases before they can spread. If you want to make a significant impact, then a career as an Infection Control Nurse could be the right career path for you. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of this specialization now more than ever!
This blog post covers the duties, skills, and educational requirements for becoming an Infection Control Nurse. We’ll also go over salary information and the job outlook. Learn how to become a Registered Nurse and explore the best hospital nursing jobs to see if this career path is right for you.
Infection Control Nurse: Definition
What is an Infection Control Nurse?
Although medical professionals do their best, there is always a risk of bacteria or viruses that can cause an outbreak. This means that Infection Control Nurses will always be needed to prevent an outbreak, address and resolve various issues, and maintain a working knowledge of how infectious agents spread.
Infection Control Nurse: Job Description
What Does an Infection Control Nurse Do?
Like a Nurse Administrator, ICNs are not usually patient-facing professionals. They use their skills to conduct research, educate other medical practitioners, implement new policies, and improve the state of the facility overall. A big part of their job revolves around research and communication, not to mention the education of others. Infection Control Nurses may serve as liaisons between a healthcare environment and organizations like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the National Institutes of Health.
Infection Control Nurse: Duties and Responsibilities
Although no two days are alike, Infection Control Nurses typically perform the following duties:
- Examining and investigating data on diseases and infections.
- Creating response plans for different kinds of outbreaks in medical facilities, surrounding communities, and more.
- Educating the public and healthcare professionals on best practices for infection prevention.
- Assisting public health and medical professionals with preparation for emergency situations.
- Collaborating with government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement best practices for infection control.
- Analyzing pathogens and bacteria to try and prevent future outbreaks.
- Working with scientists, physicians, and other professionals in the creation of new practices to treat and prevent disease.
Infection Control Nurse: Skills
According to Nurse.org, there are three major categories that Infection Control Nurses fill: Researcher, Communicator, and Educator. All these areas are important for this particular role. Below are just some of the essential skills and qualities that are needed for success in the field of Infection Control Nursing.
Clinical Skills: All nurses must possess a set of clinical skills. When it comes to Infection Control Nurses, they should have knowledge of microbiology, epidemiology, infection control practices, and more. They should stay up to date with the latest research and best practices in their field.
Critical Thinking: Like all medical professionals, Infection Control Nurses should be critical thinkers who pay attention to detail. They should also have the ability to work independently to ensure effective infection control.
Communication Skills: Infection Control Nurses must be skilled communicators. They should be able to communicate with others about the research they discover. According to Nurse.org, “The goal is always to minimize the risk of infectious disease and to understand the appropriate response should a virus or contagious infection impact the community.”
Educating Others: More often than not, Infection Control Nurses act as both liaison and educator. They may communicate with the CDC, the National Institute of Health, and the medical and administrative staff at their facility. It’s vital that they can relay and explain important updates regarding potential threats for infectious diseases, best practices, etc.
Research, Research, Research: As you can see, research is a significant part of the job of an Infection Control Nurse. They must study infections and viruses. As stated by Nurse.org, data “is compiled and analyzed in order to keep the nurse informed and ready to protect their facility and community.”
Flexibility and Adaptability: Because outbreaks can occur at any time, an Infection Control Nurse must be flexible and adaptable. They may need to work quickly around sudden timelines and be willing to drop everything at any moment to work on containment.
Self-Care: This one might surprise you, but it makes sense if you think about it. If an Infection Control Nurse is not in good health, they cannot effectively combat dangerous pathogens and diseases. It’s important these nurses are less susceptible to infections. With proper self-care, they can operate at the top of their game.
Infection Control Nurse: Work Environment
Where Do Infection Control Nurses Work?
Typically, Infection Control Nurses can find employment in hospitals and ambulatory or outpatient care centers. They also work in home care, hospice, nursing homes, public health departments, long-term care centers, and emergency preparedness organizations. Through hospital positions, ICNs ensure best practices are maintained throughout the facility.
There are various potential career opportunities for Rehabilitation Nurses, such as roles in specialized areas like infection prevention programs, public health departments, and healthcare administration.
Infection Control Nurse Education & Certification
How to Become an Infection Control Nurse
To specialize as an Infection Control Nurse, you must become a Registered Nurse by obtaining a nursing degree and passing the NCLEX licensure exam. Then, you must spend around two years working in the field of infection control. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) requires that you gain this experience before taking and passing an exam to become an Infection Control Specialist.
Once you have gained certification from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, you will possess a CIC certificate for five years before recertification is necessary. At that point, you can pursue recertification through an online examination or by earning Infection Prevention Units (i.e., continuing education).
Infection Control Nurse Salary
How Much Do Infection Control Nurses Make?
Although the BLS doesn’t report salary data specifically for Infection Control Nurses, we can reference data for Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide a general understanding of the average salaries. In 2023, the average annual wage for Registered Nurses was approximately $94,000 per year.
Salaries for Infection Control Nurses can vary significantly based on the employer, experience, and location. Areas with a higher cost of living or in-demand healthcare facilities may offer higher pay to attract nurses. Like with other nursing paths, experience also plays a crucial role in determining an Infection Control Nurse’s pay.
Infection Control Nurse: Job Outlook
What Is the Job Outlook for Infection Control Nurses?
Although the BLS doesn’t report job outlook data for Infection Control Nurses, we can refer to the projected job growth for Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide insights into the growing demand for Infection Control Nurses. The BLS anticipates a 6% growth in employment for RNs from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Your Journey into Nursing Starts Here
In this article, we have discussed the career path of becoming an Infection Control Nurse, including their primary duties and responsibilities, the necessary education and certification requirements, potential career opportunities, and the job outlook for this profession. One important aspect highlighted in this article is the role Infection Control Nurses play in preventing and managing infections and ensuring the safety of patients and medical professionals. Truly, these professionals make a positive impact on the entire healthcare system.
Interested in nursing education? Unitek College offers tailored programs to help you transition into the healthcare field and become a nurse in a shorter duration. Start by checking out the LVN to BSN Advanced Placement Option for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Our programs and pathways are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful nursing career.
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