- Nursing
- Nursing specialties
- Toxicology nurse
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.
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Required education
ADN or BSN
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
Fast-paced
React and make decisions quickly in demanding conditions.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
What is the role of a toxicology nurse?
In addition to treating patients, you’ll spend time educating people on how to avoid toxins and other dangerous materials.
What you’ll do as a toxicology nurse
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.
Female doctor or nurse working in the hospital emergency room. Smiling nurse distributing medical supplies on a tray in icu room in hospital.
Where you’ll work as a toxicology nurse
Toxicology nurses work in a variety of settings, including:
- Doctors’ offices
- Emergency rooms
- Hospitals
How to become a toxicology nurse
Get an Associate’s Degrees 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 and work as a Registered Nurse.
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, gaining two years’ experience in the emergency room or intensive care units and Toxicology Nursing.
Pass your Poison Information Specialist Certification exam through the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
You’re ready to work as a toxicology nurse!
Toxicology nurse career resources
Become a member of a toxicology nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Related nursing specialties
Emergency nurse
An emergency nurse takes care of patients in a wide range of situations, from fevers, to minor injuries and major trauma.
Poison information specialist
A poison information specialist is a further specialized toxicology nurse, trained to help people who have accidently ingested poison or are looking for information on poison.