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Session addresses evolving role of rheumatology nursing
WASHINGTON — A growing number of nurses are achieving board certification as rheumatology nurses, according to a presentation at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting.
Sheree C. Carter, PhD, RN, CNS, assistant professor at The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, discussed the criteria required to become certified in this specialty. She addressed the merits of a paper test, but noted it was ultimately decided to go in another direction.
“We decided, for many reasons, to go with a certification by portfolio,” she said.
The content includes an American Nurses Credentialing Center portfolio, a nursing license, work history and peer or supervisor information. Specifically, applicants for certification in rheumatology need a current active license; to have practiced 2 years full-time as a registered nurse; spent a minimum of 1,500 hours in rheumatology in the last 3 years; completed 30 hours of continuing education in rheumatology in the last 3 years; and fulfilled two additional professional development categories.
“We do not want to restrict this to just nurse practitioners or nurses in private practices,” Carter said. “We have rheumatology nurses everywhere from home health to major centers, and we need to count them and give them credit for what they do.”
The cost of obtaining certification is $290. The certification is valid for 5 years. Renewal is $400.
Jackie Fritz, RN, MSN, CNS, director of education at the Medical Advancement Center in Los Alamitos, Calif., provided an overview of the history of rheumatology nursing as a specialty. She focused on how it has evolved into an evidence-based practice.
“We have increased our quality of care in rheumatology,” she said. “We are care givers, care guiders, liaisons and coordinators, and we understand the complicated treatment regimen of the rheumatology patient.”
Fritz said nurses do much more than their job description implies. They possess a specific patient-centered body of knowledge, suggest medications to doctors and patients, have close relationships with patients and coordinate care between other specialties.
“We are now recognized for our knowledge base and importance in the complicated and ever-challenging care of the rheumatology patient,” she said. – by Rob Volansky
Reference:
Carter SC and Fritz J. Rheumatology nursing’s evolving role. Presented at: the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting; Nov. 11-16, 2016; Washington.
Disclosure: Carter reports no relevant financial disclosures. Healio Rheumatology was unable to determine whether Fritz has any relevant financial disclosures.