Subscribe to Notes on Nursing, our monthly news digest.

Toxicology Nurse

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.
Required Education
ADN or BSN
Attributes
Fast-paced
React and make decisions quickly in demanding conditions.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
In addition to treating patients, you’ll spend time educating people on how to avoid toxins and other dangerous materials.
Nursing bag, medication, and signs cartoon graphic
What you’ll do

Collaboration

Your role may include working with poison control hotlines.

Treatment

You’ll treat poisonous insect and animal bites and stings and develop treatment plans for patients.

Where you’ll work
  • Doctors’ offices
  • Emergency rooms
  • Hospitals
How to become a Toxicology Nurse

02

Pass the NCLEX-RN.

03

Work as a Registered Nurse.

Gain two years’ experience in the emergency room or intensive care units and Toxicology Nursing.

04

Pass your Poison Information Specialist Certification exam through the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

05

You’re ready to work as a Toxicology Nurse.

Join an Organization
Become a member of a Toxicology Nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
An Emergency Nurse’s role is also fast-paced.
A Poison Information Specialist is another type of emergency nurse.
Group of smiling nurses in scrubs holding folders
Group of smiling nurses in scrubs holding folders
Subscribe to Notes on Nursing, our monthly news digest.
Explore issues of our monthly newsletter, which features the many ways nurses' innovation and leadership drive transformative change in healthcare.