- Nursing
- Nursing specialties
- Burn care nurse
Burn care nurse
A burn care nurse treats patients who have been burned by fire, hot water, oil, chemicals, or electricity.
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Required education
ADN or BSN
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
What is the role of a burn care nurse?
You’ll provide emotional support while helping your patients physically recover from their burns.
What you’ll do as a burn care nurse
Education
You’ll teach families how to care for a patient’s burns and educate communities about burn prevention.
Treatment
You’ll stabilize burn victims, dress and care for their wounds, and give them medication.
Where you’ll work as a burn care nurse
Burn care nurses work in a variety of settings, including:
- Burn care units
- Emergency rooms
- Intensive care units
- Trauma centers
How to become a burn care nurse
Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to explore the different nursing programs available and the paths they offer. With various options like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, prospective students can choose the educational path that best suits their goals and interests.
Pass the NCLEX-RN.
The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing.
Work as a Registered Nurse, and gain experience in an ICU or trauma center.
While there’s no specific burn care nurse certification, you can specialize in related areas such as advanced burn life support.
You’re ready to work as a burn care nurse!
Burn care nurse career resources
Become a member of a burn care nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
American Burn Association
American Burn Association
Related nursing specialties
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A toxicology nurse takes care of patients who’ve swallowed poison, come into contact with a toxin, been bitten by a snake, or stung by a bee or wasp.
Cardiac care nurse
A cardiac care nurse cares for patients with heart diseases or conditions, from coronary artery disease to heart failure and recovery from bypass surgery.