Required Education
BSN
Attributes
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
A large part of your job will include easing patients’ pain and helping them manage their symptoms.
What you’ll do
Assessment
You’ll evaluate patients with rheumatic diseases.
Education
You’ll teach patients and helping them finds ways to live healthier everyday lives.
Treatment
You’ll monitor vital signs and bloodwork and manage patients’ medications.
Where you’ll work
- Doctors’ offices
- Hospitals
- Outpatient care centers
How to become a Rheumatology Nurse
01
Get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
02
Pass the NCLEX-RN.
03
Work as a Registered Nurse.
Gain 1,500 hours of experience and 30 hours of continuing education in three years.
04
Get your Rheumatology Nursing Certificate through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
05
You’re ready to work as a Rheumatology Nurse.
Join an Organization
Become a member of a Rheumatology Nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Related Organizations
Michelle Gomez, RN, knew she wanted to be a nurse since she was a small girl. She attended a vocational high school and first started doing clinicals when she was 14 years old. We spoke with her about her calling for patient care, and her role as a rheumatology nurse at the award-winning Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, NY.
An Subacute Nurse’s role is also structured.
A Radiology Nurse is another type of long-term care nurse.
