The Roles and Duties of an Enterostomy Nurse
Enterostomy therapy nurses, sometimes referred to as ET or stoma nurses are RNs who care for patients who have or may need enterostomies, which is a procedure that creates an ostomy (sometimes called a stoma) in the body to divert the bowels and eliminate feces. Ostomies must continually care for once the procedure has been performed, so enterostomy nurses provide medical care in addition to teaching patients and their families how to properly care for them at home. ET nurses must be comfortable with the messier aspects of the job, such as cleaning and/or troubleshooting defective ostomy appliances or caring for skin infections around the ostomy.
Becoming an Enterostomy Nurse
An enterostomy nurse will need to first complete a nursing degree and become licensed as an RN. Beyond this, gaining experience in wound care and ostomies is highly recommended before going for proper certification.
The following are examples of skills required in typical enterostomy nurse job descriptions. Exact requirements may vary from job to job, but generally include:
- Ability to anticipate patient needs
- Ability to provide and manage care under the direction of nursing management
- Ability to take a leadership role and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary care team
- Have at least 2 years’ experience as an RN
What Are the Education Requirements for Enterostomy Nurses?
Most enterostomy nursing positions require a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or higher, as well as RN licensure upon passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Aside from the additional specialized training and certifications, hospitals and other employers generally like to see at least a few years of hands-on RN experience from their ET nurse hires. Experience with ostomies or would care are both considered a plus. Some ET nurses go on to earn Master’s or doctoral degrees as well.
Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?
The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) offer a few certifications applicable to enterostomy therapy nurses. They include:
- CWOCN – Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse
- CWON – Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse
- COCN – Certified Ostomy Care Nurse
Eligibility requirements include holding a BSN degree or higher along with an active RN license, in addition to graduating from an approved nursing education program or accumulating a certain amount of direct patient clinical hours in combination with continuing education credits.
Where Do Enterostomy Nurses Work?
Enterostomy nurses typically work in hospitals, but can also find work in physician offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. In addition to this, ET nurses can also be employed in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, or provide in-home care via home health or hospice care agency. Occasionally, ET nurses are hired by medical device companies as well.
What Does an Enterostomy Nurse Do?
Enterostomy nurses care for patients before and after enterostomy surgery as one of their primary duties. This includes ileostomy, colostomy, and urostomy surgeries, among others. If the surgery is not done on an emergency basis, the ET nurse will work with the patient before surgery to assist them in planning the ostomy placement and give them pointers on what to wear to minimize irritation near the site. After surgery, ET nurses teach the patient how to use their ostomy appliances as well as best practices in caring for themselves. These nurses may also treat, or educate patients on how to prevent, common complications such as skin infections and fistula, as well as work with the patient on pain management.
What Are the Roles and Duties of an Enterostomy Nurse?
- Prepare patients who need enterostomy procedures
- Educate a patient and their caretakers on how to care for an ostomy
- Provide direction on ostomy appliances and helpful medical supplies
- Clean and change ostomy appliances
- Treat complications like skin irritation, blockages, fistula, and more
- Provide guidance on lifestyle changes and nutrition that can aid in ostomy health
- Assist with pain management
Enterostomy Nurse Salary & Employment
Enterostomy nurses can earn between $75,802 and $92,495, depending on location, education level, and experience. The median salary for an ET nurse is roughly $83,542 annually.
The employment outlook for ET nurses remains good, and many in the profession enjoy long-term relationships with their patients. This specialty pays more than many other nursing specialties and generally has regular hours. If an RN can handle the sometimes-squeamish tasks of dealing with bodily waste and fluids, they stand to have a secure and lucrative career in the specialty.
