How to Become a Neuro Nurse
A neuro nurse, also known as a neurology or neuroscience nurse, is a healthcare professional who specializes in caring for patients with neurological conditions like strokes, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. In this role, you’ll monitor patients’ neurological status, manage complex medication regimens, and decode the complexities of electroencephalograms (EEGs).
If you want to work in a tech-driven field, where learning never stops, neuro nursing could be a great fit for you. Our step-by-step guide can help you start your journey into this dynamic specialty.
Neuro Nurse: Career Snapshot
- Role: Treat and manage neurological conditions.
- Duties: Assess neurological status, assist with specialized procedures, implement treatment protocols, and provide rehabilitation support.
- Workplaces: Hospitals, specialized neurological clinics, rehabilitation centers, and research institutions.
- Path: Nursing degree, experience in acute care settings, followed by optional neuro certification.
- Timeline: Approximately 2 to 4 years.
What Is Neuro Nursing?
Neurology nursing is a specialized field within nursing focused on caring for patients with neurological disorders and conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system. In this field, you’ll treat a diverse range of conditions, including:
- Hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes
- Seizure disorders
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord Injuries
- Neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease
- Migraines and cluster headaches
- Brain tumors
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Encephalitis and meningitis
- Hydrocephalus
- Autoimmune neurological disorders, such as myasthenia gravis
What Does a Neuro Nurse Do?
In addition to usual nursing responsibilities like thorough documentation and medication administration, neurology nursing includes:
- Performing head-to-toe assessments, neuro checks, nursing neurological exams, including evaluating reflexes and cranial nerve function.
- Administering neuro-specific medications like thrombolytics for stroke and anticonvulsants for seizures.
- Assisting with diagnostic procedures, such as EEGs, lumbar punctures, and neuroimaging.
- Responding to emergencies like status epilepticus and rapid change in neurological status.
- Monitoring intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels and drainage.
- Managing symptoms of chronic neurological diseases, such as pain, spasticity, and cognitive decline.
- Supporting patients through various rehabilitation therapies.
Where Do They Work?
These nurses have the opportunity to work in a diverse range of healthcare settings, from direct patient care to cutting-edge research centers. Some common places include:
- Acute care facilities
- Ambulatory care centers
- Hospices
- Home health care
- Intensive care units (ICUs)
- Long-term care facilities
- Neurorestorative care center
- Rehabilitation centers
- Research institutions
- Surgical centers
How to Become a Neurology Nurse
Intrigued by neurology? Here’s a breakdown of the steps required to enter this nursing specialty.
1. Get a Nursing Degree
You’ll start by completing prerequisites to get enrolled in either an associate or bachelor degree program. While in school, you’ll take courses, such as health assessment and pharmacology, and gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations — all to get you ready to deliver quality care.
2. Obtain Licensure
Next up is the NCLEX-RN, the national certification exam for registered nurses. This exam assesses your preparedness to practice nursing safely. Pass it, and you can apply to your state board of nursing to get a registered nurse (RN) license; fail, and you’ll need to retake the NCLEX.
3. Gain Experience
Before moving into neurology nursing, you may want to gain experience in other specialties that equip you with a broad range of essential nursing skills, such as:
4. Attain Neuro Nurse Certification (Optional)
The American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN) offers two different certifications you can benefit from — Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) and Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN). These credentials show you’re not just a skilled nurse — you’re also a great neuroscience nurse who’s met all the requirements to earn this professional title.
To meet the eligibility criteria for the exams, you need one year of full-time specialty experience within the past three years and a current, unrestricted nursing license.
5. Pursue Advanced Education (Optional)
Want to move into leadership, teaching, or primary care? Consider pursuing advanced degrees such as master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). This can be a great step if your aspirations are as big as a neuro assessment checklist.
How Much Does a Neuro Nurse Make?
The typical neuro nurse salary in the U.S. is about $77,889 per year, but you can make more or less, depending on your location, education, and experience. Your pay can also vary significantly depending on your subspecialty. Here are a few examples:
- Neuro ICU nurse salary: $85,692
- Research nurse salary: $95,214
- Neurosurgery nurse salary: $69,664
To maximize your earnings, consider applying in these top-paying states:
Frequently Asked Questions: Neuroscience Nursing
What is the career outlook for nurses in this field?
The need for registered nurses, including those specializing in neurology, is expected to rise by 6% over the next decade — faster than the average job growth. With more than 3 billion people worldwide living with a neurological condition, your chances to find employment in this field are promising.
What is a neuro assessment?
Neurological conditions can show up with all kinds of symptoms, from cognitive and visual to motor and sensory issues. For this reason, one of the key responsibilities of nurses working in this field is to perform advanced neuro assessment. Nursing techniques used during this process include inspection, palpation, auscultation (in rare cases), and percussion.
The assessment includes evaluation of mental status, motor function, balance, sensory exam, cranial nerves, and reflexes. Tools like the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) help assess specific aspects of neurological health.
How can neurology nurses advance their careers?
Besides pursuing advanced degrees and specialized certification, you can also grow in your knowledge and skills by attending nursing conferences, taking continuing education courses, and subscribing to the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing for the latest advances in the field.
Additionally, you can join professional organizations, such as American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) and Association of Child Neurology Nurses (ACNN), for professional networking and collaboration.
What are the challenges faced by neuro nurses?
One of the challenges in this nursing specialty is using advanced diagnostic tools and technologies, such as EEGs, neuroimaging, and intracranial pressure monitors, which can be challenging to master.
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