Required education
ADN or BSN
Average annual salary
Attributes
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
Out-of-hospital
Treat patients in their homes, during travel, or other non-hospital environments.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
Managerial
Lead, guide and support other nurses so they can provide the best care.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
You’ll help patients with chronic injuries and illnesses by creating treatment plans that allow them to regain their independence.
What you’ll do
Education
You’ll teach patients and families how to lead healthy lives.
Evaluation
You’ll assess a patient’s general health and find solutions for optimal wellness.
Management
You’ll handle documentation, make sure regulations and policies are followed, delegate roles and recommend other healthcare services.
Treatment
You’ll help patients manage their pain and create care plans.
Where you’ll work
- Community clinics
- Patients’ homes
- Schools
How to become an Ambulatory Care Nurse
01
Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
02
Pass the NCLEX-RN.
03
Work as a Registered Nurse, and gain 2,000 hours experience in Ambulatory Care and 30 hours of continuing education.
04
Get your Ambulatory Care Nurse Certification from the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing.
05
You’re ready to work as an Ambulatory Care Nurse.
Join an Organization
Become a member of an Ambulatory Care Nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Related Organizations
A Case Management Nurse’s role is also independent.
A Urology Nurse is another type of community nurse.
