Ambulatory nursing is the practice of nursing care in outpatient settings, such as clinics, doctors’ offices, and surgery centers. Ambulatory nurses provide a variety of services to patients, including performing physical examinations, administering medications, educating patients on their care, and providing emotional support.
Why choose an ambulatory nursing career?
There are many reasons to choose an ambulatory nursing career. Some of the benefits include:
- Variety of work: Ambulatory nurses work with a variety of patients and conditions, which can make the job more interesting and challenging.
- Flexible hours: Ambulatory nurses often have more flexible hours than inpatient nurses, which can be a good fit for people with families or other commitments.
- Work-life balance: Ambulatory nursing jobs typically offer a better work-life balance than inpatient nursing jobs.
- Opportunities for advancement: There are many opportunities for advancement in ambulatory nursing, such as moving into management or leadership roles.
Types of ambulatory nurse jobs
There are many different types of ambulatory nurse jobs available. Some of the most common include:
- Ambulatory care nurse: Ambulatory care nurses provide a variety of services to patients in outpatient settings, such as clinics and doctors’ offices.
- Cardiac care nurse: Cardiac care nurses provide specialized care to patients with heart conditions.
- Diabetes care nurse: Diabetes care nurses educate patients on diabetes management and provide support to help them manage their condition.
- Gastroenterology nurse: Gastroenterology nurses provide care to patients with digestive disorders.
- Geriatric nurse: Geriatric nurses provide care to older adults.
- Infectious disease nurse: Infectious disease nurses provide care to patients with infectious diseases.
- Oncology nurse: Oncology nurses provide care to patients with cancer.
- Orthopedic nurse: Orthopedic nurses provide care to patients with musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.
- Pediatric nurse: Pediatric nurses provide care to children and adolescents.
- Primary care nurse: Primary care nurses provide basic healthcare services to patients of all ages.
- Psychiatric nurse: Psychiatric nurses provide care to patients with mental health disorders.
- Wound care nurse: Wound care nurses provide specialized care to patients with wounds.
Education and training requirements for ambulatory nurses
To become an ambulatory nurse, you must complete a nursing degree program and pass a licensing exam. There are many different types of nursing degree programs available, including associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees.
Some ambulatory nurse jobs also require certification. Certification is a voluntary process that demonstrates that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to practice in a specialized area of nursing.
Skills and qualities of successful ambulatory nurses
Successful ambulatory nurses have a variety of skills and qualities, including:
- Patient care skills: Ambulatory nurses need to have strong patient care skills in order to provide the best possible care to their patients.
- Communication skills: Ambulatory nurses need to be able to communicate effectively with their patients, other healthcare professionals, and their families.
- Teamwork skills: Ambulatory nurses often work as part of a team with other healthcare professionals, so it is important for them to have strong teamwork skills.
- Organizational skills: Ambulatory nurses need to be organized in order to manage their time and workload effectively.
- Time management skills: Ambulatory nurses need to have good time management skills in order to see a large number of patients in a day.
- Problem-solving skills: Ambulatory nurses need to be able to think critically and solve problems in order to provide the best possible care to their patients.
- Critical thinking skills: Ambulatory nurses need to be able to think critically and make decisions quickly in order to provide the best possible care to their patients.
- Compassion and empathy: Ambulatory nurses need to be compassionate and empathetic in order to provide the best possible care to their patients.
Job outlook for ambulatory nurses
The job outlook for ambulatory nurses is positive. The employment of ambulatory nurses is projected to grow 26 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by the aging population, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and the growing demand for preventive care.
Salary and benefits
Ambulatory nurses earn a competitive salary. The median annual salary for ambulatory nurses was $75,330 in May 2021. Ambulatory nurses also typically receive a benefits package that includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan.
Conclusion
Ambulatory nursing is a rewarding career that offers variety, flexibility, and opportunities for advancement. If you are interested in a career in nursing, ambulatory nursing is a great option to consider.
FAQs
What are the differences between ambulatory nursing and inpatient nursing?
Ambulatory nursing is the practice of nursing care in outpatient settings, such as clinics, doctors’ offices, and surgery centers. Inpatient nursing is the practice of nursing care in hospitals.
Ambulatory nurses typically work fewer hours per week than inpatient nurses. Ambulatory nurses also have more control over their schedules and can often choose to work days, evenings, or weekends.
What are the challenges and rewards of being an ambulatory nurse?
One of the challenges of being an ambulatory nurse is that you may need to see a large number of patients in a day. This can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity to learn about a variety of conditions and meet a variety of people.
One of the rewards of being an ambulatory nurse is that you can build relationships with your patients. You can see them over time and help them manage their health. Ambulatory nurses also have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of their patients by helping them stay healthy and prevent diseases.
How can I advance my career as an ambulatory nurse?
There are many ways to advance your career as an ambulatory nurse. Some options include:
- Getting certified in a specialized area of nursing, such as cardiac care, diabetes care, or oncology care.
- Moving into a management or leadership role.
- Teaching or mentoring other nurses.
- Conducting research.
What are some resources for ambulatory nurses?
There are a number of resources available for ambulatory nurses, including:
- The American Nurses Association (ANA)
- The Association of Ambulatory Care Nurses (AACN)
- The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS)
- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE)
